Over $29 million allocated in Residential Housing Fund for North Shore Boulevard extension

As Townsville’s Northern Suburbs grow, the Crisafulli Government has outlined a piece of a $2 billion infrastructure pie for the Townsville and Hinchinbrook areas, including a North Shore Road extension. SEE THE DETAILS.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie speaks in Mount Low.

Townsville’s northern suburbs travel woes may soon be at an end, with the Crisafulli government announcing piece of a $2 billion pie will be used to ease traffic congestion.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie appeared in Mount Low on Tuesday to declare that more than $36 million has been outlined for trunk road infrastructure and land activation in Townsville and Hinchinbrook, as part of the state government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.

The money can be used for "whatever council wants”, including roads, footpaths, lighting, curbs, sewer systems and stormwater.

The Fund will deliver a $29.5 million boost towards Townsville City Council’s $42 million Northern Beaches Trunk Road Infrastructure Package

Acting Mayor of Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mary Brown, Acting Mayor of Townsville City Council Ann-Maree Greaney, Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole and Townsville MP Adam Baillie in Mount Low.

Councillor Brodie Phillips took to Facebook on Tuesday morning to announce the approved application from Townsville City Council, along with Maidment Group and Turner Owners Group as part of the Fund, would provide access from Northern Beaches to the Bruce Highway through Svensson Road, “significantly improving traffic flow and alleviating congestion on Mount Low Parkway”.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, who has been vocal for calls for upgrades to the traffic congestion at Mount Low and Deeragun, welcomed the project and said it has been at the forefront of resident’s minds for “many years”.

“Strengthening road connections is essential for the continued growth and development of the Northern Beaches suburbs,” he said.

A Townsville Bulletin poll conducted in May showed 82 per cent of voters agreed Svensson Road should be connected to Northshore Boulevard and the Bruce Highway.

The Residential Activation Fund will also deliver a $7.3 million boost towards two Hinchinbrook Shire Council projects to unlock more than 180 homes at Como Road, Scovazzis Road and Sir Arthur Fadden Drive in Ingham.

“This is supply, supply, supply,” Mr Bleijie said.

Map showing changes outlined for the North Shore of Townsville

“It’s making sure we are looking after regional Queensland, it’s making sure we are dealing with the housing crisis and it’s what we promised the people of regional Queensland, particularly North Queensland, that we are serious about resetting the planning partnerships with local government.”

Mr Bleijie said the money is “signed off” and in the local government’s bank accounts already.

“They can just get the shovels in the ground and start this infrastructure,” he said.

“This is about putting infrastructure in the ground before the houses are built to ease congestion in roads.

“This is why we are doing this trunk infrastructure, because ordinarily what would have happened is councils wouldn’t have been able to afford levels of infrastructure.”

Acting mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said it would be a “game changer” for the North Shore and Sanctum Boulevard.

“We have the money in the bank, so we are getting shovels ready and we would like to see this project completed sooner rather than later,” she said.

“We really considered carefully about what sections of Townsville needed to be delivered.”

Acting mayor of the Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mary Brown said with the rough start to the year for the area, due to the floods, the money would allow for two projects to begin in areas that are predominately “flood-free”.

“That is going to enable us to continue with what has been our population growth strategy within the Hinchinbrook Shire for many, many years,” she said.

“It’s probably not an exaggeration to say this is a multi-decade announcement that has been in the making and we are very excited.”

She noted the Forrest Beach area as one of the fastest growing in the region.

“This is absolutely crucial for our council.”

Originally published as Over $29 million allocated in Residential Housing Fund for North Shore Boulevard extension