Geon Property announces ambitious Riverway Plaza expansion plans

Exciting plans have been announced for a fast-growing Townsville suburb, where construction will begin soon on another supermarket, specialty stores, Hungry Jacks, Banjo’s Bakery and a gym. Find out more.

Geon's Ben Griffin and Mark Hunt have welcomed Coles' Todd Riches to the site of the Riverway Plaza expansion in Rasmussen, where a new Coles Supermarket will be a centrepiece. Pictures: Roslyn Budd.

Construction will begin soon at Riverway Plaza to deliver several new businesses for the fast-growing Upper Ross community including a Coles supermarket, Hungry Jacks, Banjo’s Bakery, and a Snap Fitness gym.

Located on Riverway Drive in Rasmussen, 17km southwest of the Townsville CBD, Riverway Plaza is owned by the Manolis family, and has served its local community for almost 50 years.

Brisbane-based developer Geon Property received development approval from Townsville City Council in March 2023 for Stage Two of the Riverway Plaza expansion, to add a second full-line supermarket, additional specialty retail stores, commercial office space, 140-space basement carpark, and 64 additional on-ground, shaded parking spaces.

Geon executive director Ben Griffin was excited to reveal that construction on the plaza’s $85 million expansion would commence in July/August and complete in December 2026, transforming it from a neighbourhood centre to a district centre.

“(It will be) a 3585 sqm Coles with accompanying specialties … that will have Townsville’s first full basement for servicing retail … serviced by travelator up to the shops,” Mr Griffin said.

Geon Property is capitalising on an explosion in housing developments in Rasmussen to roll out Stage 2 of the Riverway Plaza expansion. Picture: Supplied.

Map of the upgraded Riverway Plaza, featuring a new Coles, Snap Fitness gym, additional stores, and basement carpark. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ll break through the wall where The Reject Shop is, and there’ll be additional common area space at the front entry of the Cole coals, an assortment of specialty tenants from Asian supermarket to liquor … taking it up to 30-35 specialties.

“We can also announce that there’ll be a 650 sqm gym on level one. Snap Fitness has executed an agreement for lease for that space, and that’ll be the first full line gymnasium … with great views looking back towards Mount Stuart and the river.”

Supporting approximately 100 construction jobs, with further employment opportunities created upon opening, the development also includes new amenities, upgraded public spaces, and a 300kW rooftop solar system.

Geon executive director Ben Griffin, Coles regional manager Todd Riches, and Geon project director Mark Hunt at the site of the Riverway Plaza expansion. Picture: Roslyn Budd.

Site of Geon's Riverway Plaza extension, where a new Coles supermarket and specialty stores will be built on Riverway Drive, Rasmussen. Picture: Leighton Smith.

In the next 30-60 days, Geon will begin expanding the commercial area on the other side of the Upper Ross Hotel with two other developments worth $10.5 million.

“There is no bakery at the moment in the upper Ross and so we’re looking forward to building a new Banjos, that’ll be not just a bakery, but a full drive free with hot savories, coffee,” he said.

“Adjacent to that, we’ll be building a Hungry Jacks.”

Site of a future Hungry Jacks and Banjo's Bakery Cafe and drive through, near Riverway Plaza on Riverway Drive, Rasmussen. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Site of Geon's future medical centre planned for Riverway Plaza – a district level retail centre located on Riverway Drive, Rasmussen. Picture: Leighton Smith.

There were also plans for a future medical centre and pharmacy to be built on the spare block between McDonald’s and Caltex, with a chemist already locked in.

Coles state leasing manager Tallis Ashley said the new Coles Supermarket will provide a convenient shopping experience for local residents and those in the surrounding suburbs.

“At Coles we are constantly evaluating our store network to ensure we are delivering the best shopping experience for our customers, and as part of that process we are excited about delivering a new supermarket as part of the Riverway Plaza redevelopment,” Mr Ashley said.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Coles to deliver an enhanced shopping experience for our customers in this growth area.”

Stage 1 of an extensive redevelopment of Riverway Plaza was completed in 2022, with the Property Council of Australia declaring it the winner of its Excellence in Development award.

For leasing enquiries, visit: geonproperty.com.au.

Development application for the upgrade to Riverway Plaza. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Geon Property announces ambitious Riverway Plaza expansion plans