Townsville council eyes affordable housing opportunity for North Rail Yard site

The site of Townsville’s old North Rail Yard could become a new affordable housing development as council looks at cashing in on an opportunity. See the detail.

The site of Townsville’s old North Rail Yard could potentially become an affordable housing development as council looks at cashing in on new funding up for grabs.

Townsville mayor Jenny Hill said there was an opportunity for the city to take advantage of the federal government’s plans to build an extra 20,000 affordable homes over five years.

The Albanese government will spend $350m to build 10,000 new homes from 2024, and the states and territories have agreed to match that.

Councillors passed a motion on Wednesday agreeing to have Townsville council CEO Prins Ralston investigate a suitable model to oversee a housing development at the North Yards.

The long dormant North Rail Yards site in the Townsville CBD.

He is expected to present council with a recommendation at December’s board meeting.

Ms Hill, who raised the motion, said the potential project could help address the city’s affordable housing shortage but wouldn’t happen overnight.

“There’s a great opportunity now to partner with superannuation funds to build affordable housing,” she said.

“I really want us as a community to take advantage of that.

“There are billions of dollars on offer, it would be nice to see a small portion of that come to Townsville.”

The property in Flinders St near the rail yards which has recently been bought by Townsville City Council.

“I was at the housing summit, and they increased the Housing Investment Fund from $1 billion to $2 billion.

“We either sit on our hands and do nothing, or we see what opportunities there are available to us.”

Council acquired the 4.6ha North Yards holding from the state government for just $20,000 in 2013.

A $50m technology redevelopment was set to go ahead at the historic railway, which has remained vacant since its closure in 1990, but the project was scrapped in 2020.

Council recently purchased some adjoining property around the North Yards for $1.64m as part of a strategic acquisition to enhance development at the site.

A spokeswoman said council wanted to help create a city gateway precinct that would provide high-density housing, commercial activity and cultural activation for the community. 

Originally published as Townsville council eyes affordable housing opportunity for North Rail Yard site