June: Mayor’s message to the business community
Mayor’s column | Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce monthly newsletter
June 2022
Council’s 2022-23 budget
It’s nearly the end of the financial year, and while it means tax time and EOFYS for many businesses, for Council it’s crunch time to get our Budget for 2022-23 finalised.
Local businesses have been doing it tough with the ongoing pandemic and recent flood, and Council is determined to deliver a budget that will give the community optimism about the future of our region, while working to repair the damage to the city both quickly but also in more resilient ways.
It’s going to mean some tough decisions, but we have faced extraordinary events in the last six months, enduring our second one-in-100 year flood only 11 years after the last, and narrowly avoiding a repeat event just weeks later.
Our budget will endeavour to address the impacts of these recent challenges while providing essential services for the community. Council will meet to adopt its next Budget on 30 June, residents are welcome to attend in person at the Chambers in the Administration Building, or to watch the live stream from Council’s YouTube channel.
Change in Federal Government
A change in Federal Government has brought new opportunities for Ipswich, with successful local candidates committing to deliver major projects for the city.
Council have enjoyed excellent working relationships in previous terms with both Milton Dick and Shayne Neumann, and they’ve both committed to delivering for the Ipswich community.
I had the opportunity to speak with now-Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year about what Ipswich needs, and I’m looking forward to working with both Shayne and Milton as members of the new government to deliver for the city.
In the lead-up to this election, the ALP committed $20 million to make the North Ipswich Reserve NRL-ready as part of council plans to develop a boutique 12,500-seat stadium, committed $2 million towards the Ipswich to Springfield Central (I2S) Public Transport Corridor business case and $10 million for Ipswich Motorway planning, which will benefit commuters across the region, among a significant range of local commitments.
2022 Small Business Month
We were proud to celebrate Queensland Small Business Month with you in May, with the theme of ‘Love your Local Business’.
Council worked with many partners, including the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate the small businesses that make a vital contribution to our economy.
As part of celebrations, Council launched a partnership with TAFE Queensland to allow 20 eligible small business owners to attain the Certificate IV Entrepreneurship and New Business for free. Expressions of interest must be lodged at tafeqld.edu.au by 17 June if this is of interest to you.
Ipswich’s growth means big opportunities are on the horizon, and as Queensland’s first Small Business Friendly Council, we are determined to support Ipswich businesses to capitalise on these opportunities.
Ipswich revving up for Festival of Horsepower
June also sees an adrenaline-packed program of events during the Ipswich Festival of Horsepower.
After a disruptive start to the year we welcome the economic boost these signature horseracing and motorsport championship events will bring to our city.
The festival includes Ipswich Cup, which attracts more than 20,000 racegoers, and Winternationals, which is the largest championship drag racing event outside of North America.
The calibre and diversity of this unique festival is a drawcard for thousands of visitors to our region and provides immense economic value while championing Ipswich on the world sporting stage.
You can find more information at ipswichfestivals.com.au