Townsville City Plan - Package 1 Major Amendment

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Consultation has concluded

Council Adopts Proposed Package 1 Major Amendment 

On 15 October 2025, Council endorsed final adoption of Package 1 Major Amendment to the Townsville City Plan. This is a significant amendment that includes a range of changes focused on alignment with other planning instruments, and to support development in appropriate locations. 

One aspect of the amendment is a change in level of assessment from impact assessment to code assessment for the uses ‘Nature Based Tourism’ and Environmental Facility in the Environmental Management and Conservation Zone’ and has been of particular interest to the Magnetic Island community. 

The change does not relate to land on the island only, it also affects significant areas on the mainland. Council initially proposed this level of assessment change in 2022. In 2024, based on submissions received during the public consultation phase of the amendment, it was decided to seek final ministerial approval for the amendment without the change. The Minister’s endorsement of the amendment, however, included a condition requiring that the change in level of assessment be included. The reason given was that the change aligns with the state government’s intent to supporteco-tourism through its Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future initiative. 

Council will have an opportunity to further consider the potential implications of the change as part of the City Plan Review and will engage with the Island community and the State Government as part of that process.



Project Update - July 2025

The Package 1 Major Amendment has been assessed in accordance with the requirements detailed in Chapter 2, Part 4, section 21.4 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules (MGR). Following the MGR assessment, it was determined that the proposed amendment meets all necessary criteria. 

Council is now authorised to proceed with the adoption of the proposed amendment, subject to a Ministerial condition to assist the streamlining of eco-tourism opportunities. The condition states that “Council must lower the assessment level for Nature-Based Tourism and Environmental Facilities within the Environmental management and conservation zone on Magnetic Island from Impact assessment to Code assessment”. The condition can be viewed in the Final Outcome section of this page. 

Next Steps

Council will now consider adopting the amendment package.


Project Update - October 2024

During the public consultation period, Council received 63 submissions from a range of stakeholders including the development industry, interest groups and general public.  A Consultation Report is prepared and details the consultation process, consideration of each submission and how the submission has been addressed.  Changes have been made to the amendment package following the consultation period.  

Council endorsed the Consultation Report at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on the 18 September 2024.

A copy of the Consultation Report is available for download from the documents section on the right-hand side of this page.

Next Steps

Council also resolved to move into the Minister’s Consideration phase for Package 1 Major Amendment at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on the 18 September 2024.

A request has been sent to the Minister requesting approval to adopt Package 1 Major Amendment.  After approval is given, Council will consider adopting Package 1 Major Amendment.


Initial Consultation - October 2023

Townsville City Council is preparing to make changes to the Townsville City Plan.

The Townsville City Plan guides land use, development, and infrastructure planning to support growth and protect the community's way of life.

This amendment aims to maintain the plan's relevance and efficiency. Through this process, Council intends to make it easier for the community to build supported developments in appropriate locations. 

The proposed amendment seeks to:

  • streamline the development assessment process by aligning with prevailing statutory planning instruments and legislation 
  • support development opportunities that contribute to a strong economy and grow Townsville
  • enable continuous maintenance and improvement of the planning scheme and promote sustainable development.

How can you get involved?

Council is seeking your input on the proposed amendments. Now is your chance to voice your opinions via a formal submission before the amendments are adopted.

The proposed amendments are available online or at the Townsville City Council's Customer Service Centre at 143 Walker Street, Townsville.

For more details on the proposed amendment, please get in touch with Council's City Planning Unit at 13 48 10 or via email at Cityplan@townsville.qld.gov.au

How do you make a properly made submission?

For a properly made submission to be considered under the legislation - the submission must: 

  1. be signed by each person (the submission-makers) who made the submission
  2. be received during the period fixed under the Planning Act 2016 for making the submission
  3. state the name and residential or business address of all submission-makers
  4. state its grounds, and the facts and circumstances relied on to support the grounds
  5. state one postal or electronic address for service relating to the submission for all submission-makers
  6. be made to the Townsville City Council, 143 Walker Street, Townsville, QLD 4810. 

How long is the public consultation period?

The public consultation period starts on Tuesday 3 October and ends at 5pm, Tuesday 31 October 2023. If you would like to make any comments or suggestions regarding the proposed amendments, please make a formal submission within this timeframe.

Council Adopts Proposed Package 1 Major Amendment 

On 15 October 2025, Council endorsed final adoption of Package 1 Major Amendment to the Townsville City Plan. This is a significant amendment that includes a range of changes focused on alignment with other planning instruments, and to support development in appropriate locations. 

One aspect of the amendment is a change in level of assessment from impact assessment to code assessment for the uses ‘Nature Based Tourism’ and Environmental Facility in the Environmental Management and Conservation Zone’ and has been of particular interest to the Magnetic Island community. 

The change does not relate to land on the island only, it also affects significant areas on the mainland. Council initially proposed this level of assessment change in 2022. In 2024, based on submissions received during the public consultation phase of the amendment, it was decided to seek final ministerial approval for the amendment without the change. The Minister’s endorsement of the amendment, however, included a condition requiring that the change in level of assessment be included. The reason given was that the change aligns with the state government’s intent to supporteco-tourism through its Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future initiative. 

Council will have an opportunity to further consider the potential implications of the change as part of the City Plan Review and will engage with the Island community and the State Government as part of that process.



Project Update - July 2025

The Package 1 Major Amendment has been assessed in accordance with the requirements detailed in Chapter 2, Part 4, section 21.4 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules (MGR). Following the MGR assessment, it was determined that the proposed amendment meets all necessary criteria. 

Council is now authorised to proceed with the adoption of the proposed amendment, subject to a Ministerial condition to assist the streamlining of eco-tourism opportunities. The condition states that “Council must lower the assessment level for Nature-Based Tourism and Environmental Facilities within the Environmental management and conservation zone on Magnetic Island from Impact assessment to Code assessment”. The condition can be viewed in the Final Outcome section of this page. 

Next Steps

Council will now consider adopting the amendment package.


Project Update - October 2024

During the public consultation period, Council received 63 submissions from a range of stakeholders including the development industry, interest groups and general public.  A Consultation Report is prepared and details the consultation process, consideration of each submission and how the submission has been addressed.  Changes have been made to the amendment package following the consultation period.  

Council endorsed the Consultation Report at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on the 18 September 2024.

A copy of the Consultation Report is available for download from the documents section on the right-hand side of this page.

Next Steps

Council also resolved to move into the Minister’s Consideration phase for Package 1 Major Amendment at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on the 18 September 2024.

A request has been sent to the Minister requesting approval to adopt Package 1 Major Amendment.  After approval is given, Council will consider adopting Package 1 Major Amendment.


Initial Consultation - October 2023

Townsville City Council is preparing to make changes to the Townsville City Plan.

The Townsville City Plan guides land use, development, and infrastructure planning to support growth and protect the community's way of life.

This amendment aims to maintain the plan's relevance and efficiency. Through this process, Council intends to make it easier for the community to build supported developments in appropriate locations. 

The proposed amendment seeks to:

  • streamline the development assessment process by aligning with prevailing statutory planning instruments and legislation 
  • support development opportunities that contribute to a strong economy and grow Townsville
  • enable continuous maintenance and improvement of the planning scheme and promote sustainable development.

How can you get involved?

Council is seeking your input on the proposed amendments. Now is your chance to voice your opinions via a formal submission before the amendments are adopted.

The proposed amendments are available online or at the Townsville City Council's Customer Service Centre at 143 Walker Street, Townsville.

For more details on the proposed amendment, please get in touch with Council's City Planning Unit at 13 48 10 or via email at Cityplan@townsville.qld.gov.au

How do you make a properly made submission?

For a properly made submission to be considered under the legislation - the submission must: 

  1. be signed by each person (the submission-makers) who made the submission
  2. be received during the period fixed under the Planning Act 2016 for making the submission
  3. state the name and residential or business address of all submission-makers
  4. state its grounds, and the facts and circumstances relied on to support the grounds
  5. state one postal or electronic address for service relating to the submission for all submission-makers
  6. be made to the Townsville City Council, 143 Walker Street, Townsville, QLD 4810. 

How long is the public consultation period?

The public consultation period starts on Tuesday 3 October and ends at 5pm, Tuesday 31 October 2023. If you would like to make any comments or suggestions regarding the proposed amendments, please make a formal submission within this timeframe.