North Rail Yards: Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson shunts back campaign promise

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson appears to have distanced himself from another campaign pledge.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson appears to have distanced himself from another campaign pledge.

In a statement published on the Townsville City Council website, Cr Thompson threw his weight behind the North Rail Yards in an article that said the project was “gathering steam”.

He highlighted the “site’s significance as a gateway to Townsville” and its potential to address the need for affordable residential housing.

“This development will deliver much-needed affordable housing and provide the community with high-quality public spaces that honour the city’s rich rail history,” he was quoted as saying.

“I am pleased to see this development continue its progress in shaping Townsville.”

In a statement published on the Townsville City Council website, Mayor Troy Thompson threw his weight behind the North Rail Yards in an article that said the project was “gathering steam”.

The statement is at odds with a pledge made during his successful campaign for mayor, in which he promised to reduce debt through the “sale of unnecessary assets” and reducing council involvement in major projects.

“The Rail Yards, lets sell them,” he said.

“Let our developers and our city grow … bring some of those assets and sell them so that people can use them.”

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson promising to sell the North Rail Yards during his campaign.

He said the council could ensure the assets were “used correctly, but we need to sell those assets”.

It is not the first time the mayor has walked back campaign pledges, including a promise of a four-year rates freeze.

And despite blasting his predecessor Jenny Hill for employing three political advisers, Cr Thompson has attempted – and failed – to do the same.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson posting another selfie on his official social-media page.

The council, in its statement on the Rail Yards, said it had appointed three new directors to the project, which is forging ahead with the conclusion of expressions of interest for development proposals.

Cr Thompson is currently under investigation by the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) regarding unverified claims made during his campaign that he served in the military in Western Australia for five years.

It has been almost three weeks since Cr Thompson claimed that he had requested his service records from the Department of Defence.

Cr Thompson has placed a self-imposed ban on dealing with the Townsville Bulletin.

He has been emailed for comment.

Originally published as North Rail Yards: Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson shunts back campaign promise