PREMIER Campbell Newman flew into Townsville for a second visit last week and announced a $150 million commitment to the building of a new sports stadium and retail complex near the Townsville CBD.
“This is more than just about a stadium. It’s about Townsville as a major regional centre,” Mr Campbell said.
He said that the Queensland Plan had the input of 80,000 Queenslanders and one of the main points to come out of it was to see more development in regional Queensland.
“The LNP have taken on board to double the population in regional Qld over the next 30 years and to do that we need to create jobs and industry to attract people to come and live here. This stadium is part of that and also represents a big step toward urban renewal.”
He said that the difference between the LNP commitment to build the stadium and that of Labor’s is that the LNP have said how we are going to pay for it and that is out of the planned asset leasing. Whereas Labor have no plan at all on how they will pay for it.
The railway yards will be moved and we will work with local government to extend the State development area and the ARL.
David Crisafulli Minister for Local Government and Member for Mundingburra said the building of the stadium is an exercise in improving the commercial, industrial and residential sectors of Townsville and North Queensland.
“The building of this world class venue is about where we are heading not where we have been,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Both Mr Crisafulli and Mr Campbell are in a struggle to hold onto their seats. Although Mr Crisafulli has been applauded for job he has done handling his portfolio, Local Government, Townsville electorates have traditionally been a Labor stronghold.
Mr Campbell is under threat in the seat of Ashgrove from Labor Party stalwart, Kate Jones.
