Townsville City Council opens up tenders for Castle Hill cafe

Tenders have been called to help transform Townsville’s iconic Castle Hill, which will see a new cafe built in place of the demolished Panorama House.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill makes a call out for interested business to build and operate on Castle Hill. Picture: Shae Beplate.

TENDERS have been called to help transform Townsville’s iconic Castle Hill, which will see a new cafe built in place of the demolished Panorama House.

Townsville City Council secured $2 million in funding for the development through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

Mayor Jenny Hill said council wanted to create a “new space” for the hill after the old restaurant, where she had worked as a waitress, was damaged during Cyclone Yasi.

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“Putting out tenders here to build a cafe, we’re looking to local builders to tender for the work, the tender will remain open into February,” Cr Hill said.

“What I’d like to think we can put back here is a facility that isn’t just a cafe, create the right amount of open space that would allow things weddings or wedding receptions, the ability for stage acts.

“It’s a beautiful spot, in the evenings the sun sets over the city, it’s just spectacular.”

Cr Hill said Counterpoint Architecture had been contracted to design the cafe.

“The tender will close in February depending on how quickly the staff can do the tender assessment, we may hold a special council meeting after February 22 we cannot award any contracts till the election is called and council meets in April,” she said.

Cr Hill said she hoped the cafe would be completed by the end of 2020.

Herbert MP Phil Thompson said the new cafe would be a draw card for tourists and help revitalise the city’s economy.

“I think it’s great that Townsville City council and the Mayor have a plan to really capitalise on the beautiful part of our city, with something like a cafe,” he said.

“And I can’t to wait to get it up and running … it’s something that our city needs.”

The construction of a new cafe is part of council’s concept plan to help make Castle Hill more entertaining for residents and offer more opportunities that includes permanent zip lines, and a new walkway connected to the CBD.

The proposals for Castle Hill are designed to enhance the much-loved public space, which was identified as a key project in the Townsville 2020 Masterplan.

Originally published as Townsville City Council opens up tenders for Castle Hill cafe