The proposed hotel will feature 166 rooms and sit next to the new Townsville stadium.

Weeks ahead of the opening of the new Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, a development application has been lodged for a new DoubleTree by Hilton hotel to be built next door to the Cowboys NRL home ground in the state’s north.

Lodged by Focus Pacific Australasia, the proposed hotel has been earmarked as potentially carrying the midscale DoubleTree by Hilton brand.

Early renderings from the developer show a seven-storey structure which will sit alongside a training oval at the rear of the stadium.

The proposed DoubleTree by Hilton hotel would feature 166 rooms, a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, fitness centre and a number of meeting rooms.

The application comes in line with the city’s ongoing revitalisation via its 2020 Master Plan. Once approval is received, work is expected to begin this year with a view to completion in time for the 2021 NRL season.

Townsville Mayor, Jenny Hill, said the stadium and new hotel interest showed the city was providing businesses with a region in which to invest.

“Townsville 2020 is all about providing a clear vision for our city’s future to providing confidence to businesses and residents,” she said.

“There’s a lot of interest in the Townsville 2020 masterplan from businesses looking to invest in our city,” Cr Hill said.

If the project is approved, it would be Hilton’s second DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in North Queensland alongside Cairns.