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PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON P J KEATING, MP
BUILDING BETTER CITIES PROGRAM
The Prime Minister today announced that the Commonwealth would support $ 10 million
of Commonwealth funding to speed up the revitalisation of the South Townsville area.
The funding would be made available under the Commonwealt' Builin BetrCte
Program. In announcing support for the project, he congratulated the Townsville City Council and
the Queensland Government on the considerable work carried out to ensure the success of
the submission.
Under the " One Nation" statement, the Commonwealth is already providing $ 20 million
towards the upgrading of the Port of Townsville.
" The South Townsville proposal demonstrates many of the principles of the Building
Better Cities Program," the Prime Minister said.
" The area is already well serviced and is capable of a twofold increase in population with
only modest upgrading of roads, water supply and drainage infrastructure. And this can
be achieved without destroying the area's historic character."
" The completed scheme would also add to the already considerable tourist attraction of
this region."
" This is a much more efficient and environmentally sustainable way of managing the
growth of our cities rather than encouraging expensive, car dependent sprawl.
" Also one of the keynotes of micro-economic reform in Australia is to use more
effectively the enormous capital investment Australia has made in established urban
infrastructure. South Townsville project can be a significant demonstration project in the
way to revitalise inner area land in Australia's regional cities," the Prime Minister said.
Under the proposals, industrial activities which are incompatible with residential land uses
in South Townsville would be encouraged to relocate to more suitable sites in the city.
Residential and freight traffic will be separated as far as possible and landscaped buffers
will be constructed between residential areas and the rail and road freight routes which, at
present, cause noise nuisance. A number of housing projects are planned to demonstrate
how increased densities and greater housing choice can be achieved whilst reinforcing the
distinctive and historic character of the suburb.
The Prime Minister also emphasised that the Building Better Cities Program was about
demonstrating better ways of co-ordinating the various agencies involved in town
planning and the provision of infrastructure.
" Townsville has the opportunity to provide leadership to many other regional centres on
the issue of integrated planning," he said.
" The co-ordination of planning for the residential areas with that of the adjacent Port area
is also important because the rapid development of the Port is a key to the industrial
development of Townsville. I'm looking forward to the Council's and State Government's
proposals as to how integration will be achieved especially on freight routes and the
location of bulk storage areas."
Once planning for South Townsville is properly integrated with the planning for the
adjacent port area and the railway yards then this important addition to the Queensland
program will be signed, sealed and delivered.
TOWNSVILLE JULY 28,1992