UpTown Townsville: City leaders act to fix woeful CBD

Stung by withering criticism of the woeful Townsville CBD, a “dynamic” group of local leaders has swung into action to drive a revitalisation project.

(Left to right): Debbie Rains of Gallivanter Travel, Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Miranda Mears, Mark Kennedy of Counterpoint Architecture, Chamber CEO Heidi Turner, Zammi Rohan, also of Counterpoint Architecture, and Craig Stack, a senior partner at Knight Frank, in the CBD. Picture: Supplied

Stung by withering criticism of the woeful Townsville CBD, a “dynamic” group of local leaders and organisations has swung into action to drive a collaborative revitalisation project.

The objectives of the UpTown Townsville steering committee will be supported by the operational expertise of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce and “funded through a combination of commercial partnerships and government grants”.

Chamber president Miranda Mears said the CBD was the historical cultural heart of Townsville.

“With the formation of UpTown Townsville, we are taking a step towards creating a vibrant, thriving community-led centre of experiences that attracts foot traffic, supports local businesses, and delivers positive memorable experience for locals and visitors alike,” she said on Wednesday.

“There will be many steps and achievements and to be most effective for our community, it will require economic activation partnerships, many people working collaboratively in the same direction with all sectors of the community, business and government.”

The entrance to the former Dimmeys Arcade in the Townsville CBD. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms Mears said its objectives were clear: “To advocate for CBD businesses and landlords, energise the city through innovative events and initiatives, position the CBD as a desirable destination, secure resources for sustainable growth, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to amplify the impact of our revitalisation efforts.”

She reiterated that UpTown Townsville would “create positive change for our city, together”. “This is an opportunity to collectively reimagine and revitalise the CBD, making it a place where businesses thrive, and our community connects,” she said,

“The committee is confident that this initiative will unlock opportunities to apply for funding to activate spaces, support local enterprises, and elevate the CBD’s appeal.”

President of the Chamber of Commerce Miranda Mears has described the Townsville CBD as a unattractive "ghost town”, parts of which resemble a “war zone”. She says UpTown Townsville has been banded together to rescue the “historical cultural heart of Townsville”.

UpTown Townsville’s inaugural steering committee also features Debbie Rains of Gallivanter Travel, Mark Kennedy and Zammi Rohan of Counterpoint Architecture, Michael Kopittke of Sentinel Property Group, chamber CEO Heidi Turner and Craig Stack, a senior partner at Knight Frank.

Mr Stack said that with occupancy above the ground floor levels in the CBD at their highest levels in many years, more and more people were working in the centre of the city.

He said this brought new opportunities, but only “if we can encourage these employees to visit the street level through the day”.

“The CBD holds immense potential, and UpTown Townsville is the catalyst we need to fully harness that potential,” he said.

“By bringing together resources, expertise, and a shared vision, we can collaboratively create a city heart that reflects the vibrancy and innovation of the wider Townsville region.”

Originally published as UpTown Townsville: City leaders act to fix woeful CBD