Lifelong Learning - Townsville City Council - Queensland Government

About TownsvilleThe traditional owners of the Townsville region arethe Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples, and are thefirst known people to have lived in the Townsvillearea. Captain James Cook mentioned the regionin 1770. The name Townsville was created by anemployee in respect to his employer Robert Towns.This was the name adopted by the QueenslandGovernment when the township was surveyed in1865 and declared a municipality in 1866.Townsville is the largest city in north Queenslandand has one of the fastest growing populations inthe state. At 30 June 2010, the estimated residentpopulation of Townsville was 185,768 people,and was ranked the seventh for largest growthfrom 2009 to 2010. Townsville’s population in2031 is projected to be 270,500 people, whichwill account for 4.3 per cent of Queensland’s totalpopulation.Townsville is located approximately halfwaybetween the tip of Cape York and Brisbane. Ourregion is characterised by diverse landforms andnatural environments. In the low lying coastalplain there are a number of rivers, creeks andfreshwater wetlands. Hills and mountains riseout of the coastal plain, creating distinctivelandmarks.These natural habitats support a wide range offlora and fauna including: 53 mammal species;a large number of reptiles and amphibiansincluding land snakes, estuarine crocodiles, anda diverse range of lizard and frog species; and atleast 365 bird species.Some of Townsville’s distinguishingcharacteristics include:>> Townsville has one of the largest populationgrowth areas in Queensland.>> Employment in Townsville is significantlystronger than the national and state averages.>> Townsville has one of the busiest regionalhospitals in Queensland.>> Townsville has the third busiest port inQueensland.>> Economic growth in Townsville is significantlystronger than national and state averages.>> Townsville is home to a large defence forcepresence.>> Internationally recognised James CookUniversity is based in the city.>> Townsville is a service and administrativecentre for north Queensland.Lifelong Learning Strategic Action Plan 2012-20145