Townsville City Council has put solar trees project on hold

Townsville City Council has shelved a project that was designed to light up the path between the city and the stadium.

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TOWNSVILLE City Council has shelved a project that was designed to light up the path between the city and the stadium.

The $6.5m solar trees project, which is one of the council’s “mlace making” projects, was set to create up to 120 jobs and should have been complete in time for State of Origin Game One in Townsville.

But now, the council has made the decision to put the project on hold, deeming that it was not the “right time” to complete the project.

When it was announced in June 2020, Treasurer Cameron Dick said the $6.5m in funding was for two solar trees ranging in height from eight to 12 metres, which would have been installed along Ross Creek between the stadium and the city centre.

“They will create a new avenue, a new esplanade into the stadium and then back into the city,” Mr Dick said at the time.

An artist impression of the "solar trees".

A council spokeswoman said the solar tree project was still one of the local government’s long-term place making initiatives, which are designed to make Townsville a liveable city.

“However Council has identified that it is not the right time to undertake this project,” the spokeswoman said.

“Council’s focus is the delivery of the $304.1 million capital investment in Townsville’s infrastructure identified in this year’s budget.

“The State Government funding earmarked for this project was withdrawn as a result of the change of priorities.”

When it was announced, Mayor Jenny Hill said this project would create a “lovely walk” to the stadium and set the scene.

“It will help us I think as one of a number of projects we’re approaching the State Government for in terms of funding, for projects that we can put on the ground now to give people some employment prospects,” Cr Hill said.

“At the moment the biggest fear for all of us in terms of Covid isn’t just the disease … the next phase is the economic, unemployment and social impacts and health impacts that brings.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the project was up to the council to deliver.

Originally published as Townsville City Council has put solar trees project on hold