Townsville City Council gives update on Waterfront Promenade boardwalk network

Council has revealed the opening date for the first stage in its ambitious Waterfront Promenade boardwalk network project. See where it will go.

Cr Mark Molachino and Townsville MP Scott Stewart at the East End Boardwalk, which won’t connect to the George Roberts Bridge behind them. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville City Council has confirmed that the first stage in the CBD Waterfront Promenade network, the East End Boardwalk, will officially open to the public in July.

Under construction by Wagner’s CFT Manufacturing since August 2022, the $6.2m project featuring a 5m-wide, 280m-long promenade along the Ross Creek to connect the Flinders Street East car park with Reef HQ.

It was scheduled for completion by the end of June.

The completed promenade network project will connect the Strand, Palmer Street, NQ Stadium Precinct, Central Park, Reid Park and the Central Development site.

Townsville City Council provided an updated map in early April showing a proposed future connection from the East End Boardwalk to the George Roberts Bridge.

Following questions about this connection and its impact on nearby businesses, council clarified that this section should not have been included on the map.

The East End Boardwalk will no longer connect to the George Roberts Bridge. Picture: Supplied.

Updated image of the proposed Waterfront Promenade Network showing the removed section. Picture: TCC.

“The George Roberts Bridge was never intended to form part of the Waterfront Promenade network,” the spokesman said.

“George Roberts Bridge is not an ideal pedestrian access point for large volumes of people.”

To provide a safe link across Ross Creek, council planned to build a pedestrian bridge between Flinders St and Tomlins St at Plume St, connected to a boardwalk and public realm upgrade along Tomlins Street.

Gallery: Construction progress for the Townsville CBD East End Boardwalk project

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The East End Boardwalk runs along Ross Creek in the Townsville CBD. Picture: Townsville City Council

“Investigative works are underway to progress the designs of these proposed projects and, like all major multi-year projects, are also subject to appropriate funding, consultation, design and relevant approvals.

“Consultation would occur, if required, in relation to other aspects of the project.”

A change has been made to the Waterfront Promenade network map, next to Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino and Townsville MP Scott Stewart. Picture: Leighton Smith.

A pedestrian bridge will cross Ross Creek to connect with the East End Boardwalk. Picture: TCC.

After contributing $2.4m towards the first stage project through a Works for Queensland grant for the first stage, Townsville MP Scott Stewart pledged to seek additional funding to support future stages.

For more information, visit: www.townsville.qld.gov.au/building-planning-and-projects/council-projects/east-end-boardwalk

Originally published as Townsville City Council gives update on Waterfront Promenade boardwalk network