Townsville City Council

Introducing “Pete on the Street”

Stable on the Streets introduces 2020 Mascot ‘Pete on the Street’!

Townsville’s Favourite Family Friendly Christmas Event, Stable on the Strand this year presents Stable on the Streets!

Stable on the Streets is an invitation for individuals, families, groups, churches, and sponsors to ‘Express Christmas’ in their driveway, shop front, car, veranda, street, etc.


Pete will be encouraging everyone to ‘Start with a Star’ for their decorations and the community will be invited to drive by. Townsville will come alive this Christmas as homes, businesses, and Churches present Christmas. There will be displays, banners, lights, and stars all over Townsville. Large spotlights will criss-cross the night sky as Townsville comes alive. Stable on the Strand will present 3 of its traditional Christmas story scenes at separate spots across the city. Carollers will sing in the streets! Empty shop fronts will be lit up!

Food carts will be available for those hungry children! The public will be invited to a Stable on the Strand ‘drive-by’ experience following our Discovery trails and joining in the massive scavenger hunt full of interactive and fun activities, especially for families.

Stable on the Strand organizer, Anne Harley said, “Although we are disappointed at not being able to bring Stable on the Strand to Townsville this year, we are excited that, ‘Stable on the Streets’ is bringing new and creative ideas. ‘Pete on the Street’ is one of these ideas. Pete will be front and center in our promotion of Stable on the Streets.”

Stable on the Streets will run from 18th – 22nd December and is a free event. 6:00-9:00 p.m. each night

For more information, you can visit- www.stableonthestrand.com.au or their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stableonthestrand

 

Australian-First Memorial Unveiled

AUSTRALIA’S first Cor Infinitus memorial has been unveiled today (10 September) at Townsville’s Anzac Park.

 

The memorial was created as part of a new national initiative created by Kevin Humphreys to pay respect to veterans lost to suicide after serving their country.

 

Mr. Humphreys said he hoped the addition of the memorial at Anzac Park would help provide comfort to the families of veterans who had lost loved ones to mental health battles.

 

“This memorial doesn’t represent individual people, eras, campaigns, or circumstances. It is anonymous and owned by all families of those lost to mental health battles,” he said.

 

“We have worked with the families of veterans who have taken their own lives as well as other specialist advisors to create the first Cor Infinitus memorial.”

 

The memorial’s plaque is inscribed with the message: “Dedicated to all those who served our nation and were overwhelmed by the battle within. Lest We Forget.”

 

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Townsville City Council was proud to support Cor Infinitus.

 

“As a garrison city, it is incredibly important that we support our veterans and their loved ones. Being home to the first Cor Infinitus memorial is very special for Townsville, and I am sure that it will help bring peace and healing for many families, partners, and friends of veterans who have lost their lives to mental health battles,” Cr Hill said.

 

“I would invite those loved ones to not only come and visit the memorial but to reach out to each other for support. There is no shame in losing a loved one to suicide, and there is no shame in asking for help from your loved ones and your community.”

 

Federal Member for Herbert and veteran Phillip Thompson said the memorial was a fitting tribute.

 

“For me this is personal. I’ve buried too many of my mates who have died from suicide. Too many mums and dads have buried too many sons and daughters who have died from suicide,” he said.

 

“We need to break the stigma, we need people to know that it’s ok not to be ok, it’s ok to speak out and get support, and I think this memorial goes a long way to helping achieve that.”

 

The Cor Infinitus memorial is located at Anzac Park, part of the outer circle of plinths surrounding the cenotaph.

 

Any queries about Cor Infinitus can be emailed to assistance@corinfinitus.org.

The Strand Water Park to Re-Open 5 September @9am

With daytime temperatures starting to rise, Townsville residents will be able to cool off and have fun once again at one of the city’s most popular aquatic destinations.

 

The much-loved Strand Water Park will re-open at 9 am tomorrow after extensive repairs, in time for the September school holidays.

 

Acting Mayor and Townsville City Council infrastructure services committee chairperson Mark Molachino said the water park was originally closed in March to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

 

“Council used the COVID-19 closure and the cooler months of the year to undertake significant repairs and maintenance of the water park,” Cr Molachino said.

“This included the replacement of the soft fall material around the base of the structure, as well as drainage improvements.

“With this work now complete, we’re able to re-open the facility so it can once again be enjoyed by locals and tourists.

“Families love coming to The Strand to enjoy the water park and the nearby amenities, such as the barbecues and outdoor seating, to relax and have fun.

“While the water park will be operating again, I urge everyone to be responsible and continue to be COVID safe when using the facility, as they would in everything else they do.

“Our community has worked so hard and done so well to slow the spread of COVID-19 and that must remain our focus. Have fun, but also be COVID safe.”

 

North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA): Wonderland Under the Stars

Wonderland Under the Stars set to dazzle at NAFA COVID Safe

Strand Park will transform into a 1950’s style open-air theatre when Wonderland Spiegeltent’s Wonderland Under the Stars opens next month as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) COVID Safe.

Running across two huge weeks, Wonderland Under the Stars will include performances from international acclaimed Casus Circus with their show Knee Deep and ARIA Hall of Fame recipient Russell Morris and Queensland icons Busby Marou.

Wonderland Spiegeltent director Melissa Head said she was excited to transform the Wonderland Spiegeltent experience.

“We’ve been experimenting with an outdoor live high wire act for a little while now, and with COVID-19 it has fast-forwarded ways we can present. It’s given us the perfect excuse to turn the whole show into an open-air magical experience,” Ms Head said.

“I have wanted to produce an open-air event for quite a while, as I love the atmosphere and the backdrop of stunning North Queensland sunsets.”

Ms Head said families were in for plenty of fun with the outdoor experience.

“Part of the ethos of Wonderland Spiegeltent has always been to create a magical escape for audiences through live performance. Casus Circus is mind-blowing and will have everyone, young and old, marveling at superhuman, acrobatic feats,” she said. “Also for the families, there will be outdoor movie nights and carnival favorites too – freshly spun fairy floss and hot popcorn with The Wave Swinger amusement ride and more.”

Ms. Head said she anticipated great audience turnout for Wonderland Under the Stars.

“The thirst for live entertainment by both audience members and performers is currently stronger than ever. Entertainment feeds the soul and we can connect the audience in an open-air, COVID-safe way,” she said.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson, Ann-Maree Greaney, said Wonderland Under the Stars was an event that was not to be missed.

“The Wonderland Spiegeltent team does an incredible job transforming Strand Park, and I’m sure they are going to do a spectacular job of turning the space into Wonderland Under the Stars,” Cr Greaney said.

“This is just one of many events that will activate different suburbs and bring visitors into our beautiful city to enjoy more than five weeks of art and entertainment.”

 

NAFA COVID Safe is delivered by Townsville City Council and supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism & Events Queensland and runs from 18 September to 25 October.

 

Tickets for Wonderland Under the Stars are on sale now. To book your tickets, head to nafa-tsv.com.au.

Townsville History Installed

HALO chandelier installed in Flinders Lane as construction progresses

A piece of Townsville history has been installed in the highly anticipated Flinders Lane development this week as the construction of the project moves closer to completion.

The iconic chandelier used in Townsville’s widely successful HALO event last year is set to light up Flinders Lane when it opens in October.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the installation of the light feature was an important milestone for the project.

“I’m thrilled that the chandeliers from HALO has found a new home in Flinders Lane and will be on display for everyone to enjoy, much like it was when it was on display in Queens Gardens,” Cr Hill said. “Construction of the lane has been progressing well despite COVID-19 and I’m excited to see the community enjoying all of the things that will be on offer here. Flinders Lane will be a premium addition to our CBD, making accessing the Stadium Precinct and Palmer Street easier than ever.”

The Flinders Lane development, which is being delivered in partnership with Martin Locke Constructions, will connect the heart of the central business district to the Bus Hub, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, and City Lane precinct via a new laneway with two levels of retail stores and cafes.

It will include an audio system and public WIFI, public toilets, tiered and balcony seating overlooking a stage for performances to be held.

Developer Martin Locke said Flinders Lane would bring an exciting new dining and entertainment experience to the CBD, building on and complementing the existing City Lane Precinct perfectly.

“Every great city has its laneways,” Mr Locke said. “I’m proud to have worked together with Townsville City Council to deliver something that is timeless and will have a positive impact on Townsville and how we enjoy and utilize our CBD. I’d like to thank our hard-working construction team, as well as our trade and supply partners, for helping us work safely through the COVID-19 pandemic. With the laneway approaching completion I will not be focusing on finding the right retail partners to make Flinders Lane a truly unique experience.”

 

Council media: 0429 803 640

Martin Locke media: 0404 836 207