Herbert MP Phillip Thompson lashes Townsville City Council after Australian Festival of Chamber Music relocation

With the news that the Australian Festival of Chamber Music will be leaving Townsville in 2026 in favour of Cairns, Townsville’s federal member has slammed the council and labelled the loss as “poor civic leadership”.

Phillip Thompson has slammed Townsville City Council and Townsville Enterprise over the relocation of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

Townsville’s federal member has accused the Townsville City Council of displaying “poor civic leadership” after the Australian Festival Chamber of Music announced plans to move northward.

The Townsville Bulletin broke the news on Monday morning that the Australian Festival of Chamber Music would be relocating to Cairns in 2026, citing a lack of infrastructure and growth options if the event stayed in Townsville.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the loss of the festival was a “devastating blow” to the region.

Violinist and former artistic director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Jack Liebeck.

In a letter penned to Acting-Mayor Ann Maree Greaney and councillors Mr Thompson unleashed, saying the decision will see negative impacts for decades to come.

“I urge you and your fellow councillors to go back to the drawing board in your approach and start to consult with those who make our region so wonderful, the people who live in it,” Mr Thompson wrote.

“Over the last 15 months Townsville City Council has lurched from one disastrous decision to another.

“While I accept the national embarrassment of the situation regarding elected Mayor Troy Thompson is out of your sphere of control, that is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the absolute disregard in which Townsville City ratepayers and residents have been treated by Council over the course of this term.”

Phillip Thompson OAM MP. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Thompson highlighted the council’s “unilateral” decision to “sell our City out”, by voting to support the Albanese Government in shifting $100 million in funding from the proposed Concert Hall under the City Deal to fund the Reef HQ refurbishment.

“It beggars belief why you and your fellow councillors didn't hold the Federal Labor Government to account and demand both projects remain fully funded,” he wrote.

“Neither Townsville City Council nor council funded advocacy groups like Townsville Enterprise should ever have allowed this situation to occur, let alone support it.”

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

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said on Monday that talks with the Australian Festival of Chamber Music had been “ongoing” in the lead up to the decision to relocate, with the council working “very, very hard” to keep the event in Townsville, but ultimately the decision was made by the board.

“We have a lot of events on in the region and it is a shame to lose the AFCM but we will continue to bolster our events and to bolster our arts, which plays an important role in the community,” she said.

She said the council “cannot afford” to fund the Concert Hall.

“We are living in very, very different times and how do we fund a Concert Hall that may only be used for two weeks of the year?,” she said.

“That’s a burden on ratepayers and at this time, Council cannot afford to do that and it is a tough decision we have had to make.”

Standing by the decision to reallocate funding to Reef HQ, Cr Greaney said it would be nice to receive Federal Government assistance.

“We got nothing from the Federal election, it’s like we were forgotten and it’s such a disappointment,” she said.

“We’ve had to fight to get the Reef HQ funding, we’ve had to fight for the Concert Hall, we have had to fight for everything and to be honest I’m sick and tired of it.

“There are some difficult decisions that we have had to make and I will stand by the decision to back Reef HQ.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith. Picture: Evan Morgan

Chief executive of Townsville Enterprise Claudia Brumme-Smith said while “devastating to see an event leaving our region”, the advocacy group understood “the need for AFCM to relocate to Cairns due to operational needs.”

“We are in continued and ongoing conversations with several event promoters and there is a significant amount of interest in bringing new and innovative events to Townsville and utilise our incredible facilities like our Stadium, our island, and our beachfront,” she said.

“As recently as this month we secured the new and inaugural One Street, One Day Festival which is bringing the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac and DMA to Townsville, and providing the opportunity for a local act as well.”

Originally published as Herbert MP Phillip Thompson lashes Townsville City Council after Australian Festival of Chamber Music relocation