Geon will develop the facility as part of a staged entertainment and recreation component which includes uses not yet approved such as cinemas. National climbing, yoga and fitness group Urban Climb will be the anchor tenant and operate the climbing centre.

Geon development manager Tim Rossberg said securing Urban Climb was a coup for the homemaker centre and the city. “It’s exciting for us, particularly in that location. To bring this type of entertainment and recreation to the homemaker centre is a big thing for us,” Mr Rossberg said. “We are still pursuing, as part of a separate application, a cinema as well.”

The Homemaker opened in 2016 with national brands such as Pillow Talk and Beacon, but has expanded with other tenants including Pet Barn, Greencross Vets and World Gym. Urban Centre owner Alex Cox-Taylor said Townsville was an exciting prospect for them because of its history of involvement in the sport.