Health boost with new hospital
It was wonderful to attend the official opening of Queensland’s newest public hospital at Springfield Central recently.
Health care and social assistance are among our city’s core industries, with almost 20 per cent of our region’s workers employed in the sector.
Mater Hospital Springfield will deliver a broad range of public healthcare services including emergency care, maternity services, intensive care, surgery, paediatrics and specialist outpatient services.
This new hospital, which I know the community has been looking forward to for some time, will provide high‑quality care close to home for local families, while also creating almost 1,000 jobs across a broad range of clinical and support roles.
Facilities like Mater Hospital Springfield will play a vital role in supporting our community and ensuring Ipswich remains a great place to live.
Ipswich is Queensland’s fastest growing city
Ipswich is officially Queensland’s fastest growing city.
The latest population growth figures show Ipswich grew by 3.5 per cent in the year to 30 June 2025 – 0.4 per cent higher than the state’s second fastest growing city.
More than 275,000 people – and counting – now choose to live here because they love the warmth and vitality of our communities, which they enjoy at our unforgettable events, flourishing sporting and activity clubs and picturesque green spaces.
Boom areas of Springfield, the Ripley Valley and the western corridor are driving our city’s growth.
Springfield Lakes was crowned the state’s most populous suburb, with a population of 29,552 – the 10th biggest suburb in the country.
Ipswich’s population has almost doubled over the past 20 years and is on track to surpass 500,000 by 2046.
Federal Budget a missed opportunity to shape Ipswich’s future
While some tax relief is on the way for Ipswich households, the recent Federal Budget was a missed opportunity to invest in our city’s future, delivering no new infrastructure commitments.
Ipswich is at a critical juncture when it comes to community, sporting and transport infrastructure, with our highways and main roads increasingly congested.
This has negative impacts on lifestyle and our local economy.
I was disappointed to see that savings from the Australian Government’s recent decision to pause the Queensland section of the Inland Rail were not reinvested back into crucial rail infrastructure for our state, primarily into the Ipswich to Springfield Central public transport corridor.
Ahead of this year’s budget, council put forward a submission which called for greater investment in our city.
I want to ensure readers that council will continue to lobby strongly for a greater share of infrastructure investment.
Our community has been tasked by the Australian and Queensland governments to take on enormous population growth over the next 30 years, but we cannot do it alone.
The Australian Government receives 81 cents for each tax dollar collected, with only three cents per dollar going to councils.
Ipswich deserves better. Let’s hope this month’s State Budget has more positive news for our growing city.
All revved up for Festival of Horsepower
The thundering hooves and roaring engines of Ipswich’s month-long Festival of Horsepower will be bit louder this year as we celebrate a major milestone for one of our city’s iconic events.
This year’s Festival of Horsepower is headlined by celebrations for 160 years of the TAB Ipswich Cup, alongside other main events Gulf Western Oil Winternationals and the Australian Superbike Championship.
Since 1866, the Ipswich Cup has been beloved by our city as one of its most exciting events, as well as a key race meeting on the winter calendar. I am proud Ipswich City Council continues to be a major sponsor of this historic event.
Council is also once again proudly supporting the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals from 4 to 7 June at Willowbank, the largest drag racing event in the Southern Hemisphere.
Festival of Horsepower is one of many annual festivals bringing economic, social and cultural benefits to Ipswich, alongside Planes, Trains and Autos, SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival, Galvanized – A Festival of Heritage and Christmas in Ipswich.
More than 60,000 attended the Festival of Horsepower last year, with many coming from outside the city to take part in the festivities in a major boost for our tourism industry.
These events enhance Ipswich’s reputation as vibrant city where people can come for unforgettable experiences and major events.
For the full list of Festival of Horsepower events, visit the Ipswich Festivals website.