“We can also announce that there’ll be a 650 sqm gym on level one. Snap Fitness has executed an agreement for lease for that space, and that’ll be the first full line gymnasium, with great views looking back towards Mount Stuart and the river.”

Supporting approximately 100 construction jobs, with further employment opportunities created upon opening, the development also includes new amenities, upgraded public spaces, and a 300kW rooftop solar system.

In the next 30-60 days, GEON will begin expanding the commercial area on the other side of the Upper Ross Hotel with two other developments worth $10.5 million.

“There is no bakery at the moment in the upper Ross and so we’re looking forward to building a new Banjos, that’ll be not just a bakery, but a full drive through, with hot savouries and coffee,” he said. 

“Adjacent to that, we’ll be building a Hungry Jacks.”

There were also plans for a future medical centre and pharmacy to be built on the spare block between McDonald’s and Caltex, with a chemist already locked in.

Coles state leasing manager Tallis Ashley said the new Coles Supermarket will provide a convenient shopping experience for local residents and those in the surrounding suburbs.

“At Coles we are constantly evaluating our store network to ensure we are delivering the best shopping experience for our customers, and as part of that process we are excited about delivering a new supermarket as part of the Riverway Plaza redevelopment,” Mr Ashley said.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Coles to deliver an enhanced shopping experience for our customers in this growth area.”

Stage 1 of an extensive redevelopment of Riverway Plaza was completed in 2022, with the Property Council of Australia declaring it the winner of its Excellence in Development award.

Source: Townsville Bulletin, May 2025.