Townsville Rail Station’s future unclear as Queensland Rail searches for new location
Townsville’s heritage-listed former railway station is on track for changes to its use and ownership after its owner confirmed a change in direction. Check out the historic photos.
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Townsville’s grand old lady, the heritage-listed former railway station is on track for a change in direction after Queensland Rail flagged its desire to find a new site for its staff.
State-owned railway operator Queensland Rail currently possesses and staffs the historic CBD building at the corner of Flinders and Blackwood Streets.
It ceased operating as a train station in 2003 after a new station opened on Charters Towers Rd, and the city tracks were removed.
With speculation swirling about the building’s future, a Queensland Rail spokeswoman has confirmed that changes were afoot.
“The State Heritage listed old Townsville station building is currently occupied by 100 Queensland Rail staff, including 48 train controllers,” the spokeswoman said.
“Some of our sites in the region, including old Townsville station, are no longer fit for modern workforce and we are looking at a bigger facility in Townsville.
“Queensland Rail is constantly looking at opportunities for our properties to be of the best benefit to our people and the communities we connect across the state.”
Given that Townsville has been at the heart of QR’s regional operations for many years, she reaffirmed their commitment to keep operations in the city.
“Any decision around the future of the old Townsville station building would be required to go through a full Expression of Interest (EOI) process,” she said.
Regarded as one of Townsville’s most distinctive buildings, the former railway building and nearby North Rail Yards have a rich history that is recognised in the Queensland Heritage Register.
Designed by draftsman Vincent Price to reflect the design of the great railway stations of Europe, the three-storey brick and stucco railway station was built in the CBD between 1910 and 1913.
The station was built to complement the construction of the Great Northern Railway, which started in 1879 and by 1929 stretched as far as Brisbane in the south and Mount Isa in the west.
The railway and station were integral to transport services during WWII when Townsville was a major military base and a major staging point for the Allied war effort.
It featured in a number of famous photos taken during the war’s victory celebrations, and was recognised by the people of Townsville during the VP 50 Celebrations when thousands greeted a “troop” train at the station in 1995.
In 2016, Townsville builder A Gabrielli Constructions was commissioned to carry out a series of renovations on the building including installing a new roof in its original red heritage-colour, as well as replacing several timber trusses, painting, and maintenance of gutters and downpipes.
Originally published as Townsville Rail Station’s future unclear as Queensland Rail searches for new location
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