$60m Hilton Garden Inn proposal denied by city council

The Townsville City Council have confirmed the Garden Inn Hotel will no longer go ahead after it was denied approvals.

Exterior render of the Hilton Garden Inn Townsville. Picture: HHNQ.

The $60m Hilton Garden Inn Hotel’s proposed development in the North Queensland Stadium precinct has been denied by the Townsville City Council.

A Townsville City Council spokeswoman said the proposed development, which was expected to be built on public owned land, would not proceed because of the expiration of development arrangements between the council and developer HHNQ, which is part of the Focus Pacific Group.

She said the council would look at alternative opportunities for the site and would consult with key stakeholders to determine what its strategy would be for the North Queensland Stadium Precinct.

Focus Pacific Australasia director Michael Graham declined to comment at this stage.

Last month Mr Graham said the project was at a standstill with builders ready for construction, but was waiting for the council’s green light.

“We are just awaiting approval of a generally in accordance application to reflect our shift to modular, as well as a date and representative for our groundbreaking event,” Mr Graham said.

The project was expected to be built on state owned land at the precinct and was expected to begin mid-June.

A groundbreaking ceremony was expected to be held but its understood that Mayor Troy Thompson cancelled his attendance, before he went on health leave.

Originally published as $60m Hilton Garden Inn proposal denied by city council