Accelerating Ipswich
I recently took part in the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Accelerating Ipswich: Transport and Infrastructure Update at Brookwater.
The forum discussed our city’s rapid growth rate and changing transport demands.
Ipswich is a city on the rise; our population growth is at 3.6 per cent which is well above the Queensland average of 2.2 per cent.
Readers of this newsletter will be well aware of the opportunities such a strong growth rate can bring, but to fully realise those opportunities our city’s infrastructure must also keep pace.
Whether you’re driving through Karrabin at school pick-up time, enjoying a coffee in council’s $311 million Nicholas Street Precinct, or taking the family to Robelle Domain on the weekend – it is easy to see the impact of that rapid growth.
Our roads are busier, our services under more pressure, our parks and public spaces more popular than ever. Looking ahead, it’s hard to comprehend that in 20 short years our population is expected to more than double – to 535,000 residents.
Events such as the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Accelerating Ipswich: Transport and Infrastructure Update are an important part of keeping our city’s needs on the agenda of industry leaders and the Federal and State governments.
To this end, we recently lodged our pre-budget submissions ahead of this year’s Federal and State budgets.
Council has identified the catalytic projects that will help shape our region’s future – major items such as the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor and significant upgrades to the Centenary Motorway and Cunningham and Warrego highways.
This is how we accelerate Ipswich – through proper Federal and State funding, and serious attention to our critical transport networks.
I encourage you to take a look at the Federal and State pre-budget submissions on council’s website.
Mission Ed-complished for Ipswich
The city is still buzzing after music superstar Ed Sheeran heard our community’s call and dropped by for a visit while performing in Queensland late last month.
What started in May 2025 as a playful idea quickly grew into a community movement powered by residents, schools, local businesses, artists and media outlets across South East Queensland.
The economic impact of the campaign was remarkable for our local hospitality businesses with venues packed out in the nights leading up to his first concert as the entire city went on ‘Ed watch’.
Dozens of local businesses jumped on board throughout the campaign, creating their own Ed‑themed promotions and content, and many have told us the exposure has been fantastic for trade.
In total, the campaign generated around $3 million in earned media value and the kind of positive global exposure money can’t buy.
It was fantastic to see a positive spotlight shone on our city.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March each year. This year’s theme is ‘Give to Gain’, encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
In my role as Mayor, I am fortunate to meet and interact with many residents and business owners each week. I’ve seen the idea of give to gain in full flight in Ipswich with no shortage of individuals, organisations and community groups willing to support one another.
There are many ways to give to help women thrive, be it through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring or time.
Thank you to the many inspiring women, and their supporters, in our business community who do our city proud each day.
Springfield Greenbank Arterial update
There’s more progress on Springfield Parkway Duplication Stage 2 with council adopting a new Significant Contracting Plan for procurement.
Council’s 2025-2026 Annual Budget allocated $22 million to continue Stage 2 of this major road upgrade, as part of $43 million over five years.
Under Local Government Regulation 2012, any contract with a total expected term over 10 years or a value equal to or exceeding $7 million requires council to adopt a plan prior to awarding a contract.
Now this plan has been adopted, council will shortly call for tenders with a proposed commencement date of 1 September 2026 and proposed completion date by December 2027.
Meanwhile, preliminary service relocations, retaining walls and early works are continuing, forecast for completion in mid-2026.