From its early beginnings,
Townsville has capitalised on its low level terrain and relatively
low tropical rainfall to provide an efficient access route and
service centre for North Queensland. It provides the northern link
for State and Federal Governments, as well as for private enterprise
in primary and secondary industries, mining, commerce, retail, and
community and cultural services. The City of Townsville is widely
regarded as the capital of North Queensland.
The Townsville Region includes the
Local Government areas of Townsville and Thuringowa. It encompasses
a major urban coastal area, a restricted rural area, mountain
ranges, a major offshore island (Magnetic Island) and a number of
smaller islands and rock shoals including Herald and Rattlesnake
Islands.
The Townsville Region has a
spatial area of 3735.6 square kilometres. The City of Townsville
comprises an area of 1868.7 square kilometres and the City of
Thuringowa covers an area of 1866.9 square kilometres.
The Townsville Region shares its
boundaries with the Shires of Burdekin to the south, Dalrymple to
the west, and Hinchinbrook to the north.
