CENTRE UPDATE - DAN MURPHY'S & TAVERN CONSTRUCTION

To our Fairfield Central community,

Construction of the new Dan Murphy’s and Tavern is set to commence in February.

Works will be delivered in several stages over the next 12 months, with your safety and overall centre experience remaining our top priority.

What’s happening first:

🚧 A construction zone will be established at the Coles end of the Centre (orange areas on map)

🚧 This will allow for land clearing, removal of the dog park, and construction of a temporary access road

What this means for you:

⚠️ Temporary safety fencing will be installed, and construction activity in this area will increase - please slow down and take extra care when driving past

🚦 The Darcy Drive exit (closest to Coles) will remain open and accessible

🛒 Coles ‘Click & Collect’ will continue to operate as normal

🅿️ Some parking bays near the Coles end of the Centre will be temporarily unavailable

🚙 Oversized vehicle parking will be closed to allow construction of the new Tavern

We’ll continue to share regular updates as works progress across our socials, including any changes to access, traffic or parking. More significant project announcements or responses to customer questions will be shared here.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know change can bring questions, so we’ve answered some of the most common ones we’re hearing from our community below.

Q: When does construction start?

A: Construction is scheduled to commence in February and will be delivered in several stages over approximately 12 months. Throughout this time, your safety and overall centre experience will remain our top priority.

Q: Who will be operating Dan Murphy’s and the Tavern?

A: Both venues will be operated by Endeavour Group, who has a strong local presence with well-known hospitality venues such as The Vale Hotel, Kirwan Tavern, and the Dalrymple Hotel. Endeavour Group is Australia’s leading retail drinks and hospitality business, employing more than 30,000 team members and operating over 2,000 retail stores and hotels nationwide. Their portfolio includes trusted brands such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS and ALH Hotels, as well as iconic venues including Brisbane’s Breakfast Creek Hotel and Melbourne’s Young & Jackson.

Q: What will the Dan Murphy’s and Tavern include?

A: The Tavern will be approximately 925 sqm and feature a bistro, sports bar and a welcoming alfresco dining area. The adjacent Dan Murphy’s store will be around 1,250 sqm and include a 3-car Direct to Boot Drive-Thru, allowing customers to conveniently collect online orders.

Q: What about traffic flow and access?

A: The Darcy Drive exit (closest to Coles) will remain open and accessible throughout construction, with all other Centre entries and exits also remaining open.

🚘 Enter via Bruce Highway, Lakeside Drive or Darcy Drive (closest to Woolworths)

🚘 Exit via Lakeside Drive or Darcy Drive (closest to Coles or Woolworths)

We will do our best to minimise construction impacts around entries, exits and customer parking areas. We kindly ask everyone to slow down and take extra care when driving near construction zones and throughout the car park.

Q: Are you aware of the existing traffic concerns in and around Fairfield Central?

A: Yes. We recognise that traffic congestion in and around Fairfield Central has been a long-standing concern for the community, and we appreciate the feedback that’s been shared. Traffic conditions are influenced by a range of factors, including increased activity in the area, growth in surrounding suburbs and broader infrastructure constraints. It’s a complex issue, and one we’re mindful of as development continues.

Traffic management services will continue to be in place during peak periods to assist with vehicle flow, while we work with relevant stakeholders on practical, longer-term solutions that prioritise safety, accessibility, and convenience for all.

Q: What is happening with the additional exit onto the Bruce Highway?

A: Plans are continuing to progress for the construction of a new left-out exit onto the Bruce Highway, complementing the existing left-in access. Development approvals have been secured from both Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), and we are currently working through the next stage of approvals with TMR. Construction will commence once this process is finalised, with timing carefully considered to minimise disruption for customers and retailers.

Q: How will parking be affected?

A: Some parking bays near the Coles end of the Centre will be temporarily unavailable during various stages of construction. We are mindful of the importance of parking availability and will work to keep impacts to a minimum.

Trades will be advised to use the designated contractor and staff vehicle parking within the construction zone.

Q: What’s happening with oversized vehicle parking?

A: Oversized vehicle parking will be permanently closed to allow for construction of the new Tavern. We’ve been in contact with the team at BP, located directly across from Fairfield Central on Lakeside Drive, who have advised they are happy to accommodate oversized vehicles. Oversized vehicle bays are available at the rear of the station on a first-come, first-served basis.

Unfortunately, we won’t have the space to reinstate oversized vehicle parking once the Tavern is complete.

Q: Will Coles services be affected?

A: No. Coles, including Coles ‘Click & Collect’, will continue to operate as normal.

Q: What will happen to the dog park?

A: The current dog park will be removed to make way for construction. We’re exploring options to relocate the dog park and will share updates if and when plans are confirmed.

Q: How noisy will construction be for nearby residents?

A: Construction works will generally occur Monday to Saturday, 6:30 am – 6:30 pm, in line with industry standards. No construction will take place on Sundays or public holidays. Noise levels will be monitored throughout the build to minimise impacts on surrounding residents. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to contact or visit our Centre Management team.

Fairfield Central is owned and managed by families who live and work in the Townsville region, and like you, we want the best outcomes for our community.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team via the form on our Contact Us page.

Thank you for your ongoing support. 🩵

— The Fairfield Central Team