Cr Division 6 Update December 2020

A Message from Suzy 2020 has been a year like no other and another challenging one for our community.

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about throughout the division over the last eight months. I have met some Gift to Council after incredible residents and community amalgamation in 2008 Nola and Merle groups. Blankets of Love Celebrates 20 Years It is great to see so many residents who In October I had the pleasure of attending a morning tea with the ladies from are passionate about our division and I Blankets of Love to celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary. am excited to see what I can achieve over These amazing ladies make about 120 blankets a year for palliative care, dementia the coming years for you all. patients, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, in emergencies to help young children, in the neonatal and paediatric units, and many more. This year they also made over Take time this festive season to be 60 Santa sacks for the children in hospital. thankful that we live in such a great city. To donate cotton fabrics or find out more about the lovely ladies at Blankets of Love, pop by and see them every Wednesday at the Oonoonba Community Centre between 8am and 1pm. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas – here’s to a better year ahead in 2021! Keeping the Pathway Clean Suzy Little things often make a big difference. After several residents Contact me Red Bench at Council contacted me about rubbish on the chambers in Walker Street 13 48 10 | 0434 939 419 pathway in Douglas, Council installed [email protected] a new rubbish bin at the site and there Red bench to Start has been a dramatic decrease in the PO Box 1268, Townsville QLD 4810 amount of litter left on the pathway in the Conversation townsville.qld.gov.au this area. Townsville City Council supports the @SuzyBatkovicDivSix Red Bench Project to raise awareness Townsville City Council acknowledges the of domestic and family violence in our Traditional Owners and Custodians of Townsville community. Unless we can start talking about domestic violence we will never – the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and be able to eliminate it. A number of red Yunbenun; and Bindal people. We pay our benches have already been installed respects to their cultures, their ancestors around the city - keep an eye out for a and their Elders – past and present – and all new bench coming soon in Douglas. future generations. Cr Suzy Batkovic Division 6 Update

Bus stop Upgrade Program Our city’s bus stops are an essential part of Townsville’s public transport system, which is why Council continues to prioritise bus stop upgrades to deliver a high-quality experience for all users. A program of work is currently underway across the city including several bus stops in Annandale and Douglas which will include construction of shade shelters and improved accessibility. This project was funded by the Government’s Works for Queensland program.*

Tumbetin Lodge and the Palmetum Worth a Visit What a Catch! Council recently called tenders to rent one of Townsville’s most beautiful In August I met Albert Price as he tried his heritage buildings. Tumbetin Lodge was built in Railway Estate and was used luck, fishing off the dock at Riverside Gardens as the St Francis Xavier School before being relocated to the Palmetum in Community Centre. Within a minute of 1993. It is nestled in the Palmetum and Council is looking for a new tenant to throwing his line in he hooked a 6kg, 76cm make use of this unique space. barramundi. Quickest catch I have ever seen. Tumbetin Lodge is bordered by the popular Palmetum on one side and The Good Shepherd Home on the other side and I can’t wait to see which businesses consider setting up shop at this great spot. When was the last time you visited the Palmetum? This 17 hectare Botanic Garden displays one of the largest and most diverse public collections of palms in the world. It’s a hidden gem and I encourage you to bring the family down for a picnic on the lawn or a leisurely walk by the river. Find out more about the Palmetum on Council’s website.

Illegal Dumping Creates a Mess Townsville residents are risking hefty fines for illegally dumping their waste across the city instead of taking their rubbish to one of five dumps across town. Unfortunately Condon seems to be a hot spot for illegal dumping. Since September last year, Council has investigated more than 300 cases of illegal dumping across the city, which has resulted in almost $50,000 in fines being handed out. Choosing between doing the right thing or getting fined is simple. The Stuart Waste Facility and Hervey Range Transfer Station are open every day of the year except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Green waste and recycling is free to drop off at the transfer stations, so there really is no excuse to not get rid of your waste responsibly. If you see illegal dumping please call Council on 13 48 10. Cr Suzy Batkovic Division 6 Update

Pump Track Opens at Murray Bike riders of all ages are taking advantage of the new asphalt pump track at the Murray Sporting Complex in Annandale. The track has several features including rollers and banked turns with riders building momentum by pumping their bike up and down using their bodies instead of the pedals. Council has also increased seating and tree plantings to provide more shade. It is so great to see the kids and the young at heart using the track. This project was funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program*.

Riverway Skatepark Welcome to the WNBL Teams Artwork a Winner Townsville City Council is proud to support the WNBL move to North Queensland for the 2020 In October Councillor Liam Mooney season. Townsville will host 32 of the 60 games to joined me to check out the new be played across November and December with artwork at Riverway Skate Park. Three games also being played in Cairns and Mackay. of the city’s best street artists leant a hand to help update the artwork at the skatepark. Now it’s a work of art in itself as well as being a popular spot for skaters and freestyle scooter riders.

Pinnacles Gallery Reopens Pinnacles Gallery at Riverway reopened to the public in November with the TAFE exhibition MAKE. The space has been closed since it was damaged during the Monsoonal Event of 2019 and it’s great to see the gallery open again. Thanks to everyone for their patience while Council worked to get Pinnacles up and running again. To find out more about the gallery, check Council’s Jamie Banks, Out of the Box [detail] 2020 website. players Mia Murray, Charcoal on cartridge paper, 59 x 42 cm , , Courtesy of the Artist Megan McKay Bridgeworks in Division 6 Work commenced in October to replace the timber footbridge on River Park Drive. The project is expected to be completed Douglas bridge - before by mid-December, weather permitting. Council recently painted the handrails and posts on the bridge on Riverside Boulevard to match the colour scheme of the nearby Community Centre - the new colour looks great.

Annandale footbridge – before Douglas bridge - after

* This project is an initiative of the Queensland Government. ^ This project is a joint initiative of Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government.