Residential Zones
The purpose of this page is to explain the intent of the residential zones within the Townsville City Plan.
Zones designate land for a particular use (for example: residential, industrial, or rural). All properties within Townsville are included in a zone. Precincts may be identified for part of a zone. A precinct provides further detail for a specific area within a zone.
A planning scheme (referred to as Townsville City Plan) is a legal document that controls how land can be developed. The Townsville City Plan is made up of two key elements: a written component and maps.
Purpose of Residential Zones
The Townsville City Plan provides for a variety of housing choices that meet the needs of our community. The Townsville City Plan includes residential zones which outline where different types of housing can occur.
The Townsville City Plan aims to protect Townsville’s liveability and accommodate the residential growth of our city in a sustainable way.
The Townsville City Plan provides for residential land uses across five residential zones. They are:
- Low density residential zone
- Medium density residential zone
- High density residential zone
- Rural residential zone
- Character residential zone.
Within each residential zone there are also a number of precincts. The precincts provide for specific development outcomes over and above the general zone code outcomes.
This information sheet briefly explains the intent of the Low density residential zone, Medium density residential zone and High density residential zone. The intent of the Rural residential zone and the Character residential zone are explained in other information sheets.
Low density residential zone
Purpose:
- primarily accommodates dwelling houses and dual occupancy dwellings
- maintains a high level of residential amenity.
Examples of Intended Development:
- dual occupancies
- dwelling houses
- home based business.
Purpose:
- redevelopment of sites within this precinct may occur for the purposes of low-rise multiple dwellings, residential care or retirement facilities.
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwellings (low-rise)
- residential care (low-rise)
- retirement facilities (low-rise).
Purpose:
- accommodates dwelling houses; however, residential uses in the precinct do not intensify
- stables are established in a manner that minimises impacts on residential amenity.
Examples of Intended Development:
Purpose:
- accommodates dwelling houses on large lots which respect the natural values and landform of the precinct.
Examples of Intended Development:
Medium Density Residential Zone
Purpose:
- provides opportunities for medium density living close to centres and other community nodes in a medium-rise built form
- provides for a variety of accommodation options to support the Bayswater Road and Fulham Road medical precincts.
Examples of Intended Development:
- dual occupancy
- rooming accommodation
- multiple dwellings
- residential care facilities
- retirement facility
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- medium density housing reinforces the role and vibrancy of the Thuringowa Central major centre, and includes student and visitor accommodation to reinforce economic links with James Cook University and Townsville Hospital.
Examples of Intended Development:
- rooming accommodation
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- medium density housing reinforces the role and vibrancy of the Thuringowa Central major centre, and includes student and visitor accommodation to reinforce economic links with James Cook University and Townsville Hospital
- existing non-residential uses do not significantly expand and no additional non-residential development is established within the precinct.
Examples of Intended Development:
- rooming accommodation
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- develops into a medium density residential community, through amalgamation of existing lots into larger sites that provide the opportunity for better designed medium density residential development.
Examples of Intended Development:
Purpose:
- medium density housing reinforces the role and vibrancy of the Aitkenvale major centre, and includes student and visitor accommodation to reinforce economic links with James Cook University and Townsville Hospital.
Examples of Intended Development:
Purpose:
- accommodates small scale street level active uses which contribute to the creation of an active main street, with residential uses established above
- supports the vibrancy of the Aitkenvale major centre.
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwellings
- food and drink outlets
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- land adjoining the open space corridor through Hyde Park provides for the emergence of a new residential community which complements the Hyde Park major centre
- a mix of housing types is provided within the precinct in a medium-rise built form which is orientated to the open space and assists in activating this interface.
Examples of Intended Development:
Purpose:
- development creates a medium-rise built form, with variation in built form to create visual interest across the precinct.
Examples of Intended Development:
Purpose:
- The Strand forms the central focus of activity and concentration of medium density accommodation for tourists and residents, and plays a secondary role accommodating non-residential uses which are generally limited to small-scale cafes and restaurants on the ground storey.
Examples of Intended Development:
- community use
- food and drink outlet
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- provides key connectivity routes between The Strand and Warburton Street by creating distinctive built form along Landsborough Street.
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- envisaged to contain the highest level of activity and residential density in North Ward and play a secondary role to nearby centres in accommodating non-residential uses, generally limited to small-scale cafes and restaurants on the ground floor.
Examples of Intended Development:
- community use
- food and drink outlet
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- medium density housing reinforces the role and vibrancy of North Ward.
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- allows for the growth of short-term accommodation which minimises the visual impact on the local natural setting, whilst providing opportunity for new investment in tourism.
Examples of Intended Development:
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- family-oriented short-term accommodation is the predominant use established within the precinct with some non-residential uses on the ground floor.
Examples of Intended Development:
- dual occupancy
- dwelling house
- food and drink outlet
- multiple dwellings
- shop
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- provide an attractive arrival place for the entire island, whilst also providing an accessible and convenient tourist hub, including accommodation and supporting tourist information and service facilities.
Examples of Intended Development:
- community use
- food and drink outlet
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- provides opportunity for medium density living close to the principal centre (CBD) while providing a sensitive transition in built form to the nearby Character residential zone.
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
High Density Residential Zone
Purpose:
- optimise opportunities for higher density living close to the city’s principal centre, in order to maximise accessibility to services, employment and public transport, promote affordable living and maximise day and night-time vibrancy of the centres
- development provides for high-rise and high density multiple dwellings and short-term accommodation in locations clustered around or near the principal centre (CBD).
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwellings
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- continues to grow as Townsville’s primary contemporary entertainment and accommodation destination.
Examples of Intended Development:
- community use
- food and drink outlet
- multiple dwelling
- shop
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- residential accommodation is provided in slender towers and takes advantage of the amenity of Ross Creek and views of Castle Hill, whilst protecting the heritage values of the historic railyards area
- a hub of cultural activities is established within the historic railyards area, including a mix of education and entertainment activities.
Examples of Intended Development
- community use
- food and drink outlet
- multiple dwelling
- shop
- short-term accommodation.
Purpose:
- development provides a high-quality residential environment which capitalises on the precinct’s proximity to the principal centre (CBD) and Ross Creek
- development is predominantly residential in nature set in an attractive urban setting.
Examples of Intended Development:
- multiple dwelling
- shop
- short-term accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of housing diversity and higher density living?
- caters for our changing household demographic and supports housing choice
- contributes to housing affordability
- contributes to the efficient use and provision of infrastructure
- creates more active and healthy neighbourhoods, which have increased access to active (such as cycling) and public transport
- increases the economic vitality of our activity centres
- reduced consumption of our rural and natural environment, which creates a more sustainable urban form.
