Riverway, Townsville

Riverway is a riverfront parkland attraction located in the Condon Suburb of Townsville that opened in July 2006. It stretches along 11km of the Ross River, with areas at Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and Ross Park at the Ross River Dam. [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/about/index About Riverway ] ] The areas of Riverway that have been completed are Pioneer Park and Loam Island. Riverway is connected directly to the Thuringowa Central business district. [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/about/index Riverway part of the Thuringowa city centre masterplan]

Village Boulevard

Village Boulevard is the name of the road into Pioneer Park and forms the city/park integration. From the car park it extends through the park as a pedestrian spine that follows the rivers edge and forms the heart of Pioneer Park.

Tony Ireland Stadium

Tony Ireland Stadium is part of the second stage of Riverway and consists of an international standard AFL and Cricket stadium with a capacity of 10,000+.

Riverway Arts Centre

Riverway Arts Centre is a geographical formation with a grass roof that is incorporating the parkland without a decrease in the amount of grassed area. It also lowers the interior temperature by reducing the roof surface temperature. The Pinnacles Art Gallery is also in this building.

Riverway’s Village precinct

Riverway’s Village precinct is a planned retail and dining strip with exclusive boutiques, gift shops, health and beauty salons and gourmet food outlets. [ [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/shopping/index Riverway Shopping ] ] Construction of this precinct is to commence in 2008/9.

History

Before what is now the Riverway, this area was a Camping Reserve for the army's R72 and after the future of Camping Reserve (Renamed R326) was being debated and had been left unused, the then Thuringowa Shire Council made a decision that the area remain un-subdivided for community use, and with the demand for recreational space growing, along with the Upper Ross population, this area was the best location. [ [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/about/history History ] ] In 1970 poisoning and bulldozing of the Chinee Apple trees started, along with drainage works and mowing. The road that traveled along the river was closed to traffic and clubhouses and toilets were built on the site in 1971. It was a pre-war tradition to plant raintrees in the reserve and this was continued by the Thuringowa Council. These trees still stand today, shading the roadway into the Riverway.

During the early 1970's the Thuringowa Council and residents entered into discussion's about what to name the reserve, suggestions including: Upper Ross Sports Complex, The Kirwan Sports Reserve, Vickers Park, Ross River Memorial Park and Upper Ross Memorial Park, however the Thuringowa Council officially named the reserve the Pioneer Sporting Complex in October 1971. [ [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/about/history History ] ]

Over the years, Pioneer Sporting Complex had many small upgrades and was and still is used by many sporting teams and clubs, [ [http://www.thuringowabulldogs.com/about.html About Us ] ] and became better known as 'Pioneer Park', [ [http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/pioneer-park-and-ross-river/index.cfm Pioneer Park & Ross River - Things To See and Do - Queensland Holidays ] ] . However as the population of Thuringowa was growing at a fast rate the need for more recreational activities in the area also increased., [ [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/about/environment/heritage Heritage ] ]

Construction

Riverway Stage One was the two swimming lagoons, the Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, the Riverwalk, public art, village spine and parklands. [ [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/about/index About Riverway ] ] Stage Two was the construction of the Riverway Stadium, now named Tony Ireland Stadium. Stage Three is the area comprising of Apex Park and the Upper Ross Shopping Centre area. [ [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/whats_next/upperrosshub Upper Ross Community Hub ] ]

Itara at Riverway

Itara at Riverway will be a medium density residential development, 265 apartments are being built in order to help pay for the Riverway development. [ [http://www.honeycombesproperty.com.au/itara+at+riverway,+thuringowa.aspx Itara at Riverway, Thuringowa ] ] [ [http://www.itarariverway.com Itara Riverway > Home ] ] The sales office is open at the Riverway.

References

* [http://riverway.townsville.qld.gov.au/index Riverway Homepage]
* [http://www.itarariverway.com/contact+us.aspx/index Itara at Riverway]