Massive Queensland church asset portfolio for sale: 4 regions, 11 properties

The landmark divestment campaign represents one of the most unique multi-asset portfolio opportunities to emerge in recent years, with developers already circling the well-located assets for alternative uses.

Angelo Castorina, associate director at Colliers Townsville, says the synod’s properties are all located within the Diocesan Synod of North Queensland, a region stretching as far north as Thursday Island, to Sarina on the east coast and to Mount Isa in the state’s far west.

Highlights include a Magnetic Island church, heritage-listed churches in South Townsville and the Atherton Tablelands, and a huge commercial development opportunity in Bowen, with more properties set to be released in the coming months.

“We’ve categorised them into four regions, as Townsville, southern region, northern region and western region … and now the next tranche of properties that will come onto the market will still fall in those regions too,” he says.

The portfolio’s crown jewels include a massive 4000-square-metre-plus major commercial centre opportunity on Bowen’s main business spine, a tightly-held 3000-square-metre inner-city heritage precinct near the stadium in South Townsville, and a high-exposure 892-square-metre residential development opportunity in Cairns North.

Churches for sale in this first phase of a two-part rollout include St Luke’s in Cairns, Holy Trinity in Herberton, St John’s in South Townsville, St Margaret’s on Magnetic Island and St Mark’s in Townsville. Associated residences include St Alban’s Rectory in Innisfail, St Paul’s Rectory in Proserpine, St Paul’s Rectory in Charters Towers, Holy Trinity Rectory in Bowen, and the central Townsville Rectory, as well as vacant land in Pentland. The second batch of properties will include St Ambrose in Mackay North and St James the Great Church in Mount Isa, among others.

The properties form the first stage of the church’s renewal process, with a second tranche to follow as advised by the Supreme Court of Queensland in July. Proceeds will contribute to a Restoration Fund for survivors, ongoing operating costs and the establishment of a Future Ministry Fund to support sustainable ministry.

Adaptive reuse potential drives investor demand

Castorina says the campaign has already ignited strong initial interest from a diverse pool of buyers looking to unlock the properties’ future potential. While some groups are investigating traditional options to maintain active worship spaces, others are eyeing alternative adaptive-reuse opportunities, ranging from unique private residential conversions to substantial medium-density residential developments. 

“Almost everybody looking at these properties are looking at them for an alternative use,” says Castorina. 

“One or two groups we’re dealing with are looking to purchase a church – in other words, they are from a different religion. They’ve already got a church, but they’ve outgrown those premises, so for them this is perfect, because they’re moving into a building that is purpose-built and gives them a lot more room.”

However, incoming developers will need to navigate specific preservation rules, as two high-profile churches within the portfolio – located on Broadway Street, Herberton and on Macrossan Street, South Townsville – carry strict heritage listings that protect their architecture.

Developers are drawn to church assets because they are well-positioned geographically within communities and see them as perfect for higher and better uses, Castorina says.

“Most church buildings sit in very strategic locations … some of the buildings will eventually be removed, and the land will be used to develop something different,” he adds.

Balancing historical significance with financial sustainability

Anglican Bishop of North Queensland, Bishop Keith Joseph, acknowledged the significance of the properties to local congregations and communities.

“These decisions have been made with great care and after considerable reflection. We understand these buildings hold deep meaning for many people and have been places of worship, connection and community for generations,” Joseph said.

“While these properties are important, the strength of the church has always been its people. This process is about ensuring the diocese can continue its ministry across North Queensland, meet its responsibilities, and build a sustainable future for generations to come.”

1. Northern region portfolio (Far North QLD)

These three distinct church and residential assets range from prominent inner-city land to a heritage-listed regional church, in a tropical-climate setting celebrated for its diverse natural environments, including pristine beaches and rainforests.

St Luke’s Anglican Church: 335 McLeod Street, Cairns North 

• Opportunity type: Residential development/infill site
• A high-exposure 892-square-metre inner-city Cairns site featuring an established timber-framed church along a major transport corridor near the airport and hospital.

St Albans Rectory: 3 Reid Crescent, Innisfail Estate 

• Opportunity type: Leased residential investment
• A modern three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-level rendered masonry home on a 700-square-metre block is offered under a convenient leaseback arrangement, about 90 kilometres south of Cairns.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church: 38 Broadway Street, Herberton

• Opportunity type: heritage tourism/character adaptive reuse
• A Queensland state heritage-listed 1012-square-metre Atherton Tablelands site boasts high tourism appeal and features an 1889-built timber church, about 90 kilometres south-west of Cairns.

2. Townsville region portfolio (Mid-North QLD)

These four strategically located assets across Townsville and Magnetic Island range from a substantial heritage-listed precinct to a modern leased-back suburban home to an island tourism gem, and won’t last long.

St John’s Anglican Church: 30-34 Macrossan Street, South Townsville 

• Opportunity type: premium inner-city precinct/heritage preservation
• A heritage-listed site with three adjoining titles totalling 3036 square metres, including a 1907-built church, church hall, and a house near the Queensland Country Bank Stadium, close to the Port of Townsville and CBD.

St Mark’s Anglican Church: 70 Bundock Street, Belgian Gardens

• Opportunity type: coastal infill development/religious reuse
• An elevated 1269-square-metre site in a coastal suburb hosts a church and a separate hall with disability access and a sealed car park, offering direct access to the CBD and The Strand.

The Rectory: 34 Squires Crescent, Kirwan 

• Opportunity type: Leased residential investment
• A modern four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home on a 711-square-metre site close to the Willows Shopping Centre, sold subject to a leaseback arrangement.

St Margaret’s Church: 8 Endeavour Road, Arcadia, Magnetic Island 

• Opportunity type: Island tourism/lifestyle redevelopment
• Located on Magnetic Island, a Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area site, featuring an improved timber-framed church with timber floors on a 1242-square-metre parcel a short stroll to Alma and Geoffrey Bays.

3. Southern region portfolio (Whitsunday region)

This coastal and regional portfolio features a mix of church, hall, and residential assets across Bowen and Proserpine, supported by the region’s strong anchors in tourism, agriculture, and port activity.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church precinct: 73 & 75 Herbert Street and Lots 1-2 Gordon Street, Bowen

• Opportunity type: Major commercial centre development
• Armed with favourable commercial zoning and the largest footprint of the entire divestment, this prominent 4082-square-metre three-title elevated corner opportunity is a standout in a coastal town at the top of the Whitsundays. Features include a concrete church, a concrete hall, and a high-set timber house right in the town’s main business spine, a position just 40 minutes north of Airlie Beach.

St Paul Rectory: 28 Stanbury Street, Proserpine 

• Opportunity type: Regional leased investment/residential entry-point
• Positioned directly opposite the state school in a charming rural town, this high-set timber home features a double lock-up garage on a 921-square-metre block. It is offered under a convenient leaseback arrangement, about 20 minutes inland from Airlie Beach.

4. Western region portfolio (inland outback)

This portfolio caters to a wide range of buyers, from owner-occupation, investment, land-banking and future growth, pairing a residence in an historic gold-rush town with vacant outback acreage.

St Paul’s Rectory: 73 Hodgkinson Street, Charters Towers 

• Opportunity type: Value-add residential, owner-occupation conversion
• This family-friendly, high-set four-bedroom home offers a functional layout and the perfect opportunity to add value in a convenient, central Charters Towers location on the cusp of the outback, 90 minutes south-west of Townsville.

Acreage: Lots 204-207 Norwood Road, Pentland