On track to boost convenience for Kirwan’s residents, a multi-million dollar service station and childcare centre project is emerging from the ground after a court battle was successfully waged against Townsville City Council.
Construction began in September on the million-million dollar project to build a 7Eleven service station and Imagine Childcare centre at 59-63 Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan – opposite Kirwan State High School.
Led by Brisbane-based developer BSR projects, director Tony Rickards said they were bringing a modern purpose-built service station and high-quality childcare centre to that site.
The childcare centre would meet the strong demand for additional childcare places, while the service station would complement the centre by offering families a convenient location to refuel and stock up on convenience items.
Confirming that construction was going “smoothly” and would be completed within a year, Mr Rickards said couldn’t find any information to suggest that the 1400sqm site had ever been built on.
“We were looking for other opportunities and this one came across our desk (a year ago) and we really like the look of it … it’s a high-quality project with two exceptional A-grade qualified, experienced tenants.” Mr Rickards said.
“We’re very excited to see it underway. (The service station is) going to be one of their most advanced modern versions of their format, with high focus on convenience and retail.
“The 94-place childcare center is considerable in size and I believe will be a great benefit to the local families and working parents … filling a need in that area.”
He said Townsville builder Live Construction was selected to deliver the projects, ensuring that the economic and employment benefits were retained locally.
“(It was) important for us that we engaged a well-known, experienced local contractor up there,” he said.
“(The project is) providing jobs now for the construction team and for the next 12 months, and then more jobs to come with the two businesses that will operate for years to come in that spot.”
Years in the making, the project encountered resistance from Townsville City Council during the development application process.
A Townsville City Council spokeswoman said the project’s development application was initially rejected in October 2022, “primarily in relation to traffic concerns”.
“The decision to refuse the application was appealed by the applicant in the Planning and Environment Court. The development approval was granted through the court process (in November 2023),” she said.
“Subsequent approvals for details of the proposed development issued in June and September 2025.”
Extracted in full from: https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/business/townsville/new-kirwan-service-station-and-childcare-centre-takes-shape-after-court-battle/news-story/de9d90e32faf53c553ebac01c9b9c239
