Townsville Business Development Centre told to vacate premises

A business incubator helping start-ups get on their feet for 30 years looks to be wound up after council decided not to renew the lease.

The entity behind the Townsville Business Development Centre looks set to be wound up as part of a “collaboration” on the supply of business services with Smart Precinct NQ.

The centre’s voluntary board chair, Derrick Evans, confirmed on Monday Townsville City Council had decided not to renew the centre’s lease when it expires later this year.

The centre operates in council premises in Vickers Rd, Condon.

Mr Evans praised the council for supporting the centre’s tenants and the board which he said included “micro grants” to help businesses relocate.

Derrick Evans.

“It’s sad the centre is going. I guess at some stage a business subject to a lease is always going to be at risk. Both the board of the TBDC and the council have been working for the best interests of tenants as much as we possibly can,” Mr Evans said.

The centre has operated for almost 30 years as a business incubator, providing about 30 low-cost units for businesses aimed at helping start-up ventures establish. The centre also provided business advisory services.

News of the moves surfaced on Facebook with one tenant, Megan’s Cakes and Candies, saying they had been “kicked out”.

The business operator, Megan Ross, told the Bulletin she and other tenants were told they had to move out by November.

“We all were a bit disappointed. They have made their decision and there’s not much we can do,” Ms Ross said.

Another former tenant, Quilting by Kerry, moved out after the rent was almost doubled.

In a statement, the centre says support for businesses is about to be “turbocharged through a collaboration” between it and Smart Precinct NQ.

“Following on from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2021, Smart Precinct NQ and Townsville Business Development Centre announce they are working towards the integration of resources and alignment of services under one umbrella, Smart Business NQ,” the statement says.

“This alignment will enable the two not-for-profit organisations to maximise the delivery of best practice business support in the region.”

A council spokeswoman said the council would expand the Smart Precinct NQ lease in 143 Walker St to provide space for the two services, to be called Smart Business NQ.

No decision had been made about the future of the Condon property.

Originally published as Townsville Business Development Centre told to vacate premises