Rail yards to transform into city technology precinct

Townsville Technology Precinct has been named as preferred project partner to redevelop the historic North Rail Yards site on Flinders Street. TTP has been established specifically for the project, expected to cost more than $50 million to develop. It brings together the Projects & Infrastructure (P+I) group and Conrad Gargett Architecture, with respected Townsville professional Henry Fracchia acting as engineering lead for the project. Their proposal would redevelop the century-old railway workshops site into a new precinct focused on the emerging software development industry. It comes after Townsville City Council early this year invited short-listed companies to submit their plans through a tender process to redevelop the prime inner city site. The TTP has already attracted its first users, with Townsville-based software company Code Valley signing on as the anchor tenant. Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the TTP proposal fit well into the Townsville 2020 Masterplan.“The project is progressing swiftly and I look forward to negotiations finalising so the North Rail Yards development can start as soon as possible," she said. “The North Rail Yards is an important site that many residents have a strong connection to. “The site has remained vacant for a number of decades and it’s great to be able to transform the area and build for our future.” Significant economic stimulus Project Director, Rob Woolf said the North Rail Yards had represented cutting edge 19th century technology when established, supporting rail infrastructure in North Queensland and driving the regional economy. "Conserving this unique site and breathing new life into it as a 21st century software and IT workshops is an appropriate use, that celebrates its significant past, and brings a significant economic stimulus to Townsville,” he said The TTP proposal would see a significant proportion of the historic buildings in the 9500sq m precinct refurbished and retained. The plan includes conservation of the 225sq m historic Westinghouse Brake Shop and Gate House buildings - returning them to the community as multipurpose community space. The development will include 194 parking spaces and extensive landscaping, including a waterfront park and boardwalk connecting the site with the stadium precinct and the council’s proposed Waterfront Promenade. “We look forward to signing the agreement soon and, alongside Townsville City Council, bringing the North Rail Yards back to productive life," Mr Woolf said. https://www.i-q.net.au/main/tender-process-kicks-off-for-north-rail-yards

Rail yards to transform into city technology precinct

Industry Queensland

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