Townsville’s Australian Workers Union building being sold for the first time

Greeting visitors entering the Townsville CBD for the past four decades, the iconic Australian Workers Union building has been put up for sale. Find out why.

Australian Workers Union northern district secretary Jim Wilson and Collier Townsville sales executive Shaun McLaren at the Australian Workers Union building at 331-339 Sturt St, which is currently for sale. Picture: Supplied.

The iconic Australian Workers Union building which has greeted visitors entering the Townsville CBD since its construction 40 years ago, has been listed for sale for the first time.

Located next to “The Cutting”, at 331-339 Sturt St, the two-storey office building was put up for sale via an expressions of interest campaign due to the fast-growing union needing a larger space and modern facilities.

Australian Workers Union (AWU) northern district secretary Jim Wilson said they represented around 3500 members in the Townsville region, who worked in sugar mills, local government, hospitals, mining, transport, retail and hospitality.

“The AWU is one of the oldest ongoing unions in the country … it was founded in 1886. A formative moment of the AWU was the shearers' strike out in Barcaldine in 1892, which led to the formation of the Labor Party,” Mr Wilson said.

“The values of the AWU are for a fair go … especially for regional Queenslanders, and our members are the sort of people that do all the little jobs that you don’t really think about that need to be done for everyone to enjoy the quality of life they do.”

Australian Workers Union (AWU) Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson has discussed the sale of their Townsville building. Picture: Supplied

Mr Wilson said unionised work sites were paid more than those in non-union sites, they enjoyed greater productivity and profitability, and gave workers a say in their terms and conditions, health and safety, and proper consultation regarding changes and rosters.

He said the AWU celebrated a “significant victory” earlier this year in their 18 month pay dispute with sugar giant Wilmar, with good outcomes like this prompting an influx in memberships and active workplace delegates – heightening their need to relocate to a larger space.

Unionised employees from Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Victoria and Macknade mills in Herbert River on strike in Ingham in May. Picture: Cameron Bates

Since the sales process began in November, Mr Wilson said they had relocated to temporary offices in the CBD’s former Northtown building, with plans to purchase a new building more suited to their needs in 2025.

Leading the marketing campaign, Collier Townsville sales executive Shaun McLaren said the “striking” building would be an ideal space for an owner occupier who was chasing nice CBD office space, with ample parking on-site and good exposure.

The Australian Workers Union building at 331-339 Sturt St, Townsville, is up for sale. Picture: Colliers.

The Australian Workers Union building at 331-339 Sturt St, Townsville, is up for sale. Picture: Colliers.

“But it could also appeal to the investor market as well with the ability to lease out each floor separately as well,” Mr McLaren said.

“There is pretty much nothing like this for sale in the CBD (and) we are getting lots of inquiries and have received a good outcome for our client at the close of the expressions of interest on December 5.”

He urged anyone still interested in making an offer to get in touch as soon as possible.

For more information, visit: colliers.com.au.

The office space in the Australian Workers Union building at 331-339 Sturt St, Townsville. Picture: Colliers.

There is a large hall on the ground floor of the Australian Workers Union building at 331-339 Sturt St. Picture: Colliers.

Originally published as Townsville’s Australian Workers Union building being sold for the first time