Townsville Enterprise planning temporary accommodation site to deal with Origin visitor overflow

A tent city is on the cards to deal with an overflow of visitors heading to Townsville for the Origin opener.

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A TENT city has been pitched to deal with an overflow of visitors heading to Townsville for the Origin opener.

Townsville Enterprise (TEL) is ironing out the best location to hold temporary accommodation for those willing to pitch a tent the night of State of Origin Game One on June 9, but Reid Park has been ruled out as an option.

Almost every hotel room in the city has already been booked out after the NRL announced on Monday the big game would be moved to Townsville from Melbourne, due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

It is understood stakeholders were working on an alternative for those who missed out on a room, but no final decision had been made on the location of the temporary accommodation site.

Despite this, Reid Park has been ruled out as an option, as it would provide essential parking for the stadium on game night.

The stadium’s capacity has been bumped up to more than 27,000, and plans were underway to turn Flinders St into the Caxton St of the north.

Townsville Enterprise was also working with neighbouring regional councils to see how best to use their facilities with the possibility of bus routes into Townsville.

Despite the shortage of beds, it is understood some hotel rooms would go back on the market after those who made mass bookings re-evaluated their needs.

TEL was also working on a Townsville landing page with Air BnB to showcase the city on the site.

Originally published as Townsville Enterprise planning temporary accommodation site to deal with Origin visitor overflow