Devastated in the 2022 floods, Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve has reopened to the public following extensive community consultation to shape its new natural and flood resilient design.
The beloved riverside site at Chuwar has been redesigned with new green spaces – including native gardens and grassed areas – sheltered seating areas, state-of-art playground, new footpaths and amenities.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the reopening was a huge effort by council after the reserve was extensively damaged in the 2022 floods, thanking the Federal and State governments for their support.
“After the devastating floods caused so much damage to our beloved Colleges Crossing, council asked the community what they wanted to see in the restored reserve,” Mayor Harding said.
“Overwhelming feedback was for a back-to-nature design with simpler infrastructure and more green space that would be more flood-resilient, and that is what council has delivered.
“More than 100 mature trees have been planted along with almost 35,000 plants, some 22,000 square metres of turf has been laid, 625 square metres of gardens mulched and more than 2,500 square metres of concrete poured in repairing this reserve.
“I’m particularly excited by cultural elements of the area, which have been created with input from the community, including totem landscape features, educational and interpretive signage and sandblasted artwork on both footpaths and sandstone bricks.
“Colleges Crossing is now reopened for families and friends to enjoy a lazy day by the water, a picnic, fishing or simply taking the dog for a stroll along the river.”
Federal Member for Blair, The Honourable Shayne Neumann said the reconstruction and improvements to flood resilience at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve was an important milestone in the region’s recovery efforts from devastating floods.
“Colleges Crossing is an important reserve and parkland for the region and well-loved by residents of Ipswich and Brisbane,” Mr Neumann said.
“The damage to Colleges Crossing has been a constant reminder of the destructive power of floods and debris, so it is great to see the entire reserve now re-opened and designed to make it better than ever.
“This reconstruction project is a good example of all levels of government working together.
“It has been jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Community and Recreational Asset Recovery and Resilience Program as part of the 2021-22 Queensland Rainfall and Flooding exceptional circumstances package and delivered below the approved funding at almost $10 million.”
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said community projects like this are crucial to the full recovery of regions impacted by disasters.
“When flooding or bushfires upend our lives, coming back can take significant time and energy,” Ms Leahy said.
“The restoration of our community assets is an important milestone, and the delivery of these projects is worth celebrating.
“The reopening of Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve is a wonderful milestone for the people of Ipswich.”
Almost $10 million of funding under the Australian and Queensland governments’ joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements program was provided to Ipswich City Council to upgrade the park.
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the new playground will be covered by shade sails and semi-mature trees will provide even more coverage throughout the site as they reach maturity over time.
One of the new features at the reserve boasts space for food trucks to park, in lieu of the permanent café.
“This is a stunning place for families to spend their weekends and make memories,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Colleges Crossing has a long history of being one of the most visited outdoor spots in Ipswich and it’s fantastic that can now continue.
“Contractors, Epoca Construction, have delivered on the new design and the revitalised parkland is now ready for all the picnics, parties and river-based activities Ipswich residents have long enjoyed here.”
Division 4 Councillor David Martin said he was delighted with the result of the construction and praised all those who worked on the project.
“The community has been very positive about the new design and their patience is being rewarded with the on-time completion of the new reserve,” Cr Martin said.
“This will be a fantastic attraction for tourists and the wider community, and the site remains culturally significant for our Indigenous communities.”
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said he was pleased the reserve is now more flood-resilient.
“There is no doubt that the reserve will flood again, however council worked with the community to ensure the reserve was designed so it can reopen faster and at a lower cost after each flood event,” Cr Madden said.
This project was fully funded by the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with even contributions by the Australian and Queensland governments.
