New high-end hotel development application lodged

A development application for Townsville’s first high-end hotel in decades has been lodged with Townsville City Council.

The plans, submitted by Focus Pacific Australasia include building a new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

The hotel building will stand 7 storeys high delivering 166 rooms, a pool, fine dining, a bar, gym, meeting rooms and includes car parking on site.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the development application for the city’s first high-end hotel in decades showed that the Townsville 2020 masterplan was providing businesses with certainty to invest.

“Townsville 2020 is all about providing a clear vision for our city’s future to providing confidence to businesses and residents,” Cr Hill said.

“The Stadium Precinct is a key component of our vision for the future of the city and it is already taking shape with the North Queensland Stadium coming out of the ground.

“We’re hoping for more major projects to be proposed as Council realises its Townsville 2020 vision.”

The design – by acclaimed architects Bureau Proberts – places the hotel firmly within the Townsville Stadium Precinct, ensuring easy pedestrian access to the stadium, Central Park, the CBD and Bus Hub.

Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Les Walker said the prospect of adding another crane to the city’s skyline should provide a boost to the local economy.

“There’s a lot of interest in the Townsville 2020 masterplan from businesses looking to invest in our city,” Cr Walker said.

“This application will be judged on its planning merits but it’s exciting to get development applications come in for such significant projects.”

If approved, construction is expected to commence next year with the hotel proposed to be fully operational during the 2020 NRL season.

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