Reef HQ Aquarium’s visitor entrance will undergo a major facelift, with work kicking off to remove buildings including the old Omnimax theatre, three-level office space and cultural centre.

Shamrock Civil Engineering has been engaged to remove the buildings as part of a redevelopment of the site.

The work will involve excavation and machinery operations, safety fencing, scaffold erection, building demolition works, transport of waste materials to regulated waste disposal sites and potential altered pedestrian and vehicle traffic arrangements.

The aquarium was temporarily closed earlier this year for refurbishment, while the adjacent buildings have been unoccupied for several years.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority acting chief executive officer Natalie Conner said this would be the first step in improving visitor access for when Reef HQ Aquarium reopened to the public.

“Removing these buildings will open up the space to provide better accessibility to our refurbished aquarium, while also enhancing the street appeal of Flinders St,” Ms Conner said.

“For many years, Reef HQ Aquarium’s public face has been the spire on the Omnimax theatre building.

“As part of our refurbishments, we will create a new modern façade for the aquarium, which will provide a distinctive and identifiable landmark in the Townsville city.”

The demolition project is expected to create 20 local jobs and be completed by the end of 2021.

The site will then act as a work base for the principal contractor of the Reef HQ Aquarium renewal works.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has entered into an agreement with the Port of Townsville, which owns the land, to manage the site and complete the demolition and refurbishment works over the next two to three years.

The Federal Government this month announced a $40 million funding boost under Townsville City Deal to help transform Reef HQ.

This funding is in addition to the $40.1 million already provided to Reef HQ by the Government since 2019 to upgrade the facility and help boost Great Barrier Reef tourism.

The redevelopment of Reef HQ will contribute to the revitalisation of the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area, which is one of the key objectives of the City Deal.