Townsville Hilton Garden Inn Project on Hold as Council Determines Processes [Cairns Post](https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/townsville/townsville-hilton-garden-inn-project-on-hold-while-townsville-city-council-determines-processes/news-story/602df61adb0700aad83489ac057599fb) Townsville’s proposed Hilton Garden Inn project has been placed on hold as the Townsville City Council reviews its processes. The $35 million, 150-room hotel development was approved by the council in 2021 and was set to be built on Flinders Street opposite the popular Strand. However, the project has encountered several delays, including the need for a revised construction timeline and the council’s decision to review its development application process. Mayor Jenny Hill said that the review would focus on ensuring that the council had “the right level of oversight and due diligence” in place. “We need to make sure that we have the right processes in place to manage developments of this scale and complexity,” she said. “We also need to be mindful of the impact that these developments will have on our city and our community.” The review is expected to take several months, and no timeline has been set for when the project will be re-approved. The Hilton Garden Inn is part of a broader wave of development in Townsville, which has been buoyed by the city’s strong economy and population growth. The council’s decision to review its processes underscores its commitment to ensuring that development in the city is sustainable and in line with community expectations.Townsville Hilton Garden Inn Project Stalls Amidst Council Review
Townsville Hilton Garden Inn Project Stalls Amidst Council Review The highly anticipated Hilton Garden Inn project in Townsville has come to a standstill as the Townsville City Council examines its processes. The project, which was initially scheduled to commence construction in 2023, has been delayed indefinitely while the Council reviews its approval processes and ensures compliance with relevant regulations. “The Council is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in all its decision-making,” a spokesperson for the Council stated. “As such, we have initiated a thorough review of our processes to ensure that they align with best practices.” The review will focus on assessing the project’s planning approval process, as well as exploring potential improvements to enhance efficiency and stakeholder engagement. The Hilton Garden Inn project, which comprises a 15-story hotel with 180 rooms, is expected to create significant economic benefits for the city. However, concerns have been raised about the project’s environmental impact and its potential to strain local infrastructure. Local residents and businesses have expressed disappointment over the delay. “This project is crucial for our economic growth and should not be held back by bureaucratic hurdles,” said a local spokesperson. The Council emphasized that the review is intended to ensure that the project proceeds in a responsible and sustainable manner. “We understand the importance of this project and are working diligently to address the concerns that have been raised,” the spokesperson added. The Council did not provide a timeline for the completion of the review. The project will remain on hold until the review is complete and any necessary adjustments to the approval process are made.
Townsville’s Hilton Garden Inn project has been put on hold while Townsville City Council determines its processes. The council is currently reviewing its procurement processes in light of the recent Queensland Audit Office report, which found that the council had not followed proper procurement procedures in awarding the contract for the Hilton Garden Inn project. The council has said that it will not proceed with the project until it has completed its review and determined whether any changes need to be made to its procurement processes. The Hilton Garden Inn project is a $50 million development that would see a 150-room hotel built on Flinders Street in Townsville’s CBD. The project has been supported by the Queensland Government, which has provided a $10 million grant towards its construction. However, the project has also faced opposition from some members of the community, who have raised concerns about its impact on the city’s heritage and traffic. The council’s decision to put the project on hold is likely to delay its completion by several months. It is unclear at this stage whether the council will ultimately approve the project or whether it will be scrapped altogether.
