Australian Festival of Chamber Music continues their call for two separate arts venues in Townsville

A business case of the Townsville Concert Hall, which was labelled as “a waste of time” by one group in the arts community has been hailed as an opportunity for more growth by organisers of an iconic Townsville event. See what they had to say >

AFCM Protest for Concert Hall outside the Ville, venue for the Bush Summit. AFCM executive director Ricardo Peach and Joanne Keune. Picture: Evan Morgan

A report into the business case of the Townsville Concert Hall, which was labelled as “a waste of time” by one group in the arts community has been called a “significant opportunity” by another.

The Townsville Concert Hall Detailed Business Case was finalised in September 2023 but was only released to the public this year on January 30.

After advocates for a Civic Theatre upgrade revealed they were disappointed with the report, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music team said there was a need for upgrades to the theatre and a new facility.

The advocates for the Civic Theatre upgrade option labelled the report as a “waste of time and money”, with the option failing to reach the top three preferred locations.

Executive director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Ricardo Peach. Picture: Supplied.

Townsville Performing Arts Centre (TPAC) steering committee chairman Trevor Keeling said it was interesting to see a large and comprehensive document that from the outset is a study with a “narrow focus”, while Townsville Community Music Centre president Simon McConnell said the report was a “complete waste of money and time”.

The report, conducted by AECOM, listed The Hive as the best option, saying “while all sites assessed can achieve the ultimate and intended goals of development, the preferred site for the construction of the concert hall is The Hive – followed by The Strand as an alternative site- due to the higher capacity to generate the magnitude of non-use benefits that could be achieved through development on these two sites.”

The Hive is currently for sale.

A number of different locations are being considered where to build the Townsville Concert Hall. Pictures: Supplied.

In response to the TPAC’s condemning of the report, executive director of the Australian Festival of Chamber music Ricardo Peach said the recently released business report into the Concert Hall was a “very comprehensive” document, which highlighted the necessity of two venues to attract touring acts and boost the local economy.

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music has been held annually in Townsville since 1991, and brings musicians from all around the world to the city for ten days and uses venues including the Civic Theatre, St James’ Cathedral, Queens Gardens as well as events on Magnetic and Orpheus Islands.

Deputy chair of the AFCM Jane Seawright said Townsville needed two venues to meet the demand of arts lovers who they say were missing out on world-class entertainment throughout the year.

“We really need two venues, the Civic Theatre has served us very well for many years, but we lose a lot of touring acts because they just can’t get in, it’s completely used,” she said.

“The city really does need an additional facility. Lovers of music, whether it’s modern or classical, will travel to a destination to hear it and experience it in that venue, if it’s a beautiful venue.”

The Townsville Bowls Club. The site of the club is one of the suggested spots for the new concert hall. Picture: Caitlan Charles

Ms Seawright said it was a shame that the options were pitted against each other in the business case and said the team at AFCM were advocating for the theatre to be upgraded and also a new facility, preferably on The Strand.

“We’ve always favoured a site on The Strand, whether it’s across the road at the Bowls Club or The Hive,” she said.

“We are less enthusiastic about Dean Street, in that sitting so close to the stadium has really had problems.”

Mr Peach said the choice of The Strand would activate the CBD, calling out the lack of tourism facilities in Townsville.

“It’s about being an iconic space for Townsville that tourists will recognise,” he said.

“This new space can be more acoustic, because 40 per cent of the events already happening in Townsville need an acoustic space and they don’t have that.”

With The Hive being chosen as the most ideal spot, Mr Peach said with its proximity to food venues, accommodation and the beach, it proved that the location was “crucial” to the success of the venue.

AFCM Protest for Concert Hall outside the Ville, venue for the Bush Summit. AFCM executive director Ricardo Peach and Joanne Keune. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Peach said it was “disappointing” when Townsville City Council voted to divert $100m of the Townsville City Deal funding, planned for the concert hall, to be instead given to the rebuild of Reef HQ.

Members and supporters of the AFCM held a protest outside The Ville when the Bush Summit was held in August 2024, in which the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the money would go to Reef HQ.

OUTA THE PARK – The Australian Festival of Chamber Music generated a total spending in Queensland by all attendees of $19.98m, up 114% from 2023 – AFCM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JACK LIEBECK pictured in Townsville Picture Supplied

“We had $100m before the money was taken away, so we are back to square one in a sense,” he said.

He said the Civic Theatre needs some love and care, but that was for the Townsville City Council to consider.

Originally published as Australian Festival of Chamber Music continues their call for two separate arts venues in Townsville