Townsville to Get Second 24-Hour Vet After New Business Signs up for Space in Currajong

Townsville will get a much-needed second 24-hour veterinary practice with a new business, NQ CARE (Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency), set to open early next year after leasing a space in Currajong.

The brand new specialist and 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital, which is set to open on January 10, will be run by directors and well-respected vets Taleta Hompas and Jenna Rickards, with specialist staff being recruited from Sydney to provide services to Townsville residents and their pets.

The business will occupy 1,289sq m of space in a large format retail property at Tenancy 2, 232 Woolcock Street following a leasing deal negotiated by Knight Frank agents Paul Dury and Dan Place on behalf of the landlord, J4 Assets Pty Ltd.

NQ Care has committed to the space for an initial period of five years with two three-year options at a rate of $190/sq m plus GST.

The only other 24-hour veterinary practice in Townsville is the JCU Vet Clinic at James Cook University.

The space at Tenancy 2, 232 Woolcock Street was previously occupied by another veterinary practice that closed in August this year, so the fitout was ideal for NQ Care.

Dr Hompas said NQ CARE would bring state-of-the-art, compassionate specialised and emergency veterinary care to the pets – and pet lovers – of North Queensland.

“We are a community-focused hospital that prioritises both quality treatment and a personal touch, with the goal of ensuring that pets receive the best possible care at any hour, giving pet owners peace of mind,” she said.

“Our team of experienced specialists, emergency vets, nurses, and support staff will be here around the clock for everything from specialist medicine and surgical referral services to emergency and critical care.

“At NQ Care, we’re all about raising the bar for veterinary medicine in a positive, pet-focused way.

“We’re excited to offer services that prioritise pet wellbeing, and we’re building a workplace culture based on compassion, collaboration, and, of course, a genuine love for animals and the Townsville community.”

Mr Dury said the high level of existing medical fitout in the Currajong tenancy was one of the major drawcards of the space for NQ Care, along with the location.

“The tenancy is situated on one of Townsville’s busiest arterial roads with great exposure and accessibility for customers,” he said.

“We had multiple enquiries and offers from other established veterinary practices and retailers during the leasing campaign with the existing fitout a major attraction.”

Mr Place said tenant appetite for well-located large format retail tenancies with high exposure remained strong in Townsville.

“The space to be occupied by NQ Care is in a large complex of other bulky goods retailers, including Woolly Fleece next door and Fantastic Furniture, with the Woolcock Centre and its retailers situated on the other side.

“The tenancy also has excellent accessibility and convenience, with an abundance of car parks for customers.”