Dan Murphy’s, tavern proposed for Fairfield Shopping Centre, Idalia

Development applications for a tavern and a Dan Murphy’s has been proposed for a popular shopping centre. Check out the plans >>

A Dan Murphy’s at the Fairfield Shopping Centre has been proposed, and has been revealed by Division 10 councillor Brady Ellis.

Development applications for a tavern and a Dan Murphy’s at the Fairfield Shopping Centre has reached the desks of council officials, which has been loudly applauded by Division 10 councillor Brady Ellis.

Mr Ellis said the Dan Murphy’s would have a “direct to boot” section so customers would not have to leave their car, which would be right next to where the Coles pick-up/drop-off section was.

Closer to the highway would be the proposed ‘Fairfield Tavern’ which would have a sports bar, beer garden and restaurants.

“So it’s been proposed, it still needs to go through the public notice period, and it’s cited on our website so people can jump on there (expected to be released later) and have a bit of a look as well,” Mr Ellis said.

“Early days, but it’s nice that someone, well, yet another person is wanting to step up and invest in our city, and especially in beautiful Division 10.”

The proposed site of a new tavern and Dan Murphy's development next to Fairfield Central in Townsville. Picture: Google

Mr Ellis first dropped the hint of developments on Facebook on Monday, offering a mysterious “wait and see” before he supplied more details the following day.

In a video revealing the announcement Mr Ellis predicted concerns about increased traffic congestion, which he said was “100 per cent a valid concern” .

“Transport and Main Roads is right now doing a review of the roundabout about Fairfield and Bunnings,” he said.

“Realistically more and more development is going to keep coming to this point of town and so the roads need to be upgraded.”

He told the Bulletin the tavern was in a great location in the neighbourhood and would allow people in the area to casually drop in for a pint, and to time it with their shopping.

“I actually like the idea my wife can go into Coles or Woolies and do her shopping, and I can sit in the tavern, have a quick beer and a chat and maybe a bowl of wedges, it’s going to be really, really nice.”

Mr Ellis was uncertain how long the approval process might take, but that the developers had done much work which culminated in a 400-page document.

Dan Murphy's and a tavern is proposed for Fairfield Shopping Centre.

Dan Murphy's and a tavern is proposed for Fairfield Shopping Centre.

And the public notification period is expected to take several months.

“It is unreal that these things are starting to line up, and I feel like I talk to people all the time in southern states and even in Queensland that have their eyes on Townsville,” he said.

“So it’s great that they’re actually committing, and they continue to bring us stuff because they see value.

“They don’t do it because they’re good Samaritans, they do it because they see value in our city and they know that we’re on a great trajectory into the future.”

Originally published as Dan Murphy’s, tavern proposed for Fairfield Shopping Centre, Idalia