TOWNSVILLE PROUD | THE PEOPLE BUILDING TOWNSVILLE | THE DEVELOPERS
MARK ADAMS NORTHERN MANAGEMENT GROUP
A passionate advocate of Townsville since moving here in high school, Mark Adams has enjoyed a number of different careers, including hospitality and media, but has found his true drive in development, and being part of the growth of the CBD in particular.
What is your biggest lesson as a developer so far? To understand that, for any city to improve, development must occur. By its nature, development is visible, involves change, and often stirs strong opinions. However, often the most vocal critic is not actually interested in or impacted by the outcome. The goal is to deliver results that benefit all. Why are you so passionate about rejuvenating and growing the city heart in particular? Every properly functioning city around the world has a successful CBD. If you live in Kirwan or North Shore, you still benefit from having a CBD that you can be proud of. In the same way The Strand was viewed before it was renovated, people underestimate the flow on effect that a successful Townsville CBD brings to their city and their lives.
What legacy do you want to leave? Development activity is one of the key drivers of any economy. Consider just one single house: Individual trades are employed for each element of the house and each purchases their supplies from someone. There is the solicitor, the real estate agent and the media that runs the ad to sell it. Each employs staff, pays ongoing taxes and rates to governments, who then are able to deliver services back to the community. If my efforts can be part of making that circle happen, deliver a building or two that provides a use and improves some public space, or if I can ‘re-life’ an existing property so it comes back to use and service for another 20 years, then maybe I am doing something worthwhile.
What are your hopes and vision for Townsville? I hope we allow our city to progress step-by-step from being such a good city to live in to becoming a GREAT city. I think most people would know of several friends or family who have left or who spend lots of time in other centres — to me that is such a loss for us. We need a city attractive to others but, importantly, one that allows us to retain our local talent. I’m a dad. I like the thought that my daughter can have opportunities and options right here in Townsville rather than moving away. And I believe many parents feel the same way.
“I’M A DAD. I LIKE THE THOUGHT THAT MY DAUGHTER CAN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS RIGHT HERE IN TOWNSVILLE RATHER THAN MOVING AWAY” MARK ADAMS
18 DUO MAGAZINE AUGUST 2015 duomagazine.com.au