Townsville City Council to asks for community feedback on future of Rockpool redevelopment

The Rockpool has been an iconic part of The Strand for almost 60 years, but now it’s time for an upgrade. Here’s how you can have your say on it’s future.

The Strand Rockpool by Arthur Shale

The Rockpool has been an iconic part of The Strand for almost 60 years, but now it’s time for an upgrade.

Townsville City Council is calling on the community to help shape a long-term vision for the northern end of The Strand.

Last year, a petition surfaced calling on the council to redevelop the Rockpool into a Freshwater lagoon, saying it would be a safer and more enjoyable environment with fewer risks, including deadly irukandji stings, poisonous algae blooms.

It’s not the first time a redevelopment has been proposed, with former mayor and father of The Strand redevelopment Tony Mooney pushing for a wave pool or lagoon to be built in 2019.

Christmas Day on the Strand: Selwyn Bowman 10yrs from Kirwan dives into the Rockpool to cool off in 2014. Picture: Fiona Harding

There was also a push in the early 2000s to develop a wave pool.

Originally built in 1968 as a memorial to sailors and airmen lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Rockpool has been upgraded multiple times over the decade, with its most significant in 1999 with the redevelopment of The Strand.

The council hopes that with the community’s help, it can develop a plan for the Rockpool with hopes of securing funding through the state or federal governments.

The council will use a survey to ask residents how they use the Rockpool area and what amenities are most important to them.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney at The Rockpool on The Strand. Picture: Supplied

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the council was taking a staged approach in planning for the site’s future, beginning with community engagement to inform preliminary design concepts to guide funding bids.

“The Rockpool has served our community for more than half a century, but as we look to the next 60 years, we want to understand what the community values most and how they want to see the space evolve,” Cr Greaney said.

“Being a saltwater lagoon, the Rockpool is prone to the elements and can be subject to closures due to seasonal algal blooms. The fact is the infrastructure won’t last forever, so we want to know how our community thinks the space can be improved.

Rockpool swimming enclosure on the Strand in the early days.

“This isn’t about construction starting tomorrow, it’s about creating a community-informed vision. We’ll use the feedback to develop early concept designs, pulse-check those ideas with the public again, and ultimately use that shared vision to attract external funding for delivery.”

Cr Greaney said whether you think the Rockpool needs a touch-up, or to be totally redeveloped, they want to hear your thoughts.

“This is your chance to help decide what the future of this iconic headland looks like,” Cr Greaney said.

With Townsville’s population exceeding 200,000 and the median age now 36, the council is keen to futureproof the liveability of the city while maintaining strong financial management and service delivery in the upcoming 2025/26 Budget.

“We know The Strand attracts millions of visitors each year, it is arguably the most popular location in the city, but the facilities are ageing so it’s critical that we plan its future with the community,” Cr Greaney said.

Generic picture of the Rockpool and the Strand taken from Kissing Point.

Residents can share their ideas by completing a short survey on the council’s Have Your Say platform.

“If you’ve ever had an idea about what could improve the Rockpool area, now is the time to let us know. Not just in the comments section, but in a way that helps shape a real, findable plan.”

The council’s Rockpool Redevelopment Have Your Say survey will run from Saturday 7 June to Saturday 5 July 2025, to Have Your Say, visit: haveyoursay.townsville.qld.gov.au/rockpool-redevelopment

Originally published as Townsville City Council to asks for community feedback on future of Rockpool redevelopment