Candidates deliver a range of commitments for Ipswich ahead of Federal Election

Several key priorities put forward by council have received commitments from Federal Election candidates – however, some only received partisan support, while others were overlooked.

Voters go to the polls tomorrow ahead of final pitches to Ipswich voters on Friday.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said transport, health and sporting projects have been a feature of election commitments from a range of candidates to date.

“Road, rail and critical infrastructure were among the priority projects council sought commitments from whomever formed the next Federal Government,” Mayor Harding said.

“We wanted candidates who commit and deliver for the Ipswich community, and council has been working with the candidates and parties to highlight those projects that we believe are most critical to support the growth of the Ipswich region.”

Mayor Harding said that council was delighted that some projects on its federal election wish list attracted interest from candidates and parties.

“In good news, some of our much-needed projects are gaining recognition, such as the Liberal National Party commitment to fund the $2.5 million final business case for the Second River Crossing (Norman St Bridge), while the Australian Labor Party committed $20 million to make North Ipswich Reserve NRL-ready.

“The Australian Values Party has also committed to a range of projects, including funding the Second River Crossing business case funding, $2.5m to complete the options analysis for the North Ipswich Reserve, and to push for upgrades to the Cunningham and Warrego highways.

“And prior to the election, council secured $10 million through the SEQ City Deal to deliver the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor Options Analysis business case.”

However, there has been no solid commitments to unlock 6,000 FTE jobs in the future Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area by delivering critical trunk infrastructure and the Ebenezer Intermodal Terminal, and no commitments to help deliver waste industry transformation projects sought by council.

Example of an Intermodal terminal part of Inland Rail.

A complete list of commitments confirmed by parties at this election for the City of Ipswich is included below.

Commitments received from the Liberal National Party:

• $2.5 million towards the Ipswich Central Second River Crossing Detailed Business Case
• $1 million towards Ripley Valley Football Club
• $14 million towards a Head to Head Mental Health Centre in Ipswich
• $3.5 million towards Australia India House at Springfield
• $3.9 million towards Ipswich Basketball
• $100 million towards upgrades to RAAF Base Amberley
• $2 million Ipswich Showgrounds upgrade – Stage 3 redevelopment (upgrades to amenities and facilities for animal health and wellbeing)
• $1.15 million towards FTS – Fearless Towards Success
• $850,000 will also be invested in the Queensland African Communities Council (QACC)
• $11 million towards track and facility upgrades at Willowbank Raceway
• $1 million to Ripley Valley Football Club for facility improvements

Commitments received from the Australian Labor Party:

• $20 million to upgrade North Ipswich Stadium. This is the first stage in developing a boutique 12,500 seat stadium, designed for rugby league and soccer matches, with broadcast facilities to ensure NRL and A-League matches could be hosted at the venue.
• $4 million to upgrade the Ipswich Showgrounds. Includes a $2.5 million for general upgrades and a further $1.5 million to improve amenities that can be utilised by the emergency relief centre during natural disasters.
• $10 million for Ipswich Motorway planning, which will benefit commuters in Blair
• $2 million for a business case for the Ipswich to Springfield rail line
• $2.2 million in local school upgrades, including:
  • $2 million for a Community Sports Hub and new basketball courts at Ipswich State High School
  • $100,000 to upgrade facilities for Prep students at the rapidly growing Springfield Central State School
  • $60,000 for a new Prep-safe playground at Brassall State School.
  • $15,000 for an upgraded audio-visual system at the Karalee State School community hall
• $3 million for flood recovery and resilience projects along the Bremer River and its tributaries. This will improve flood resilience, water quality and environmental values in our urban waterways along the river and its creeks.
• $5 million for an Ipswich Veteran Wellbeing Centre. This will be a one-stop shop for veterans and families to access health and mental health services, advocacy and wellbeing support, employment and housing assistance, and social connection.
• A new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to take pressure off the Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department by providing care from a doctor or nurse for injuries like sprains, broken bones, stitches, wound care and other minor conditions.
• $14 million for a new Head to Health adult mental health centre
• $2.5 million to upgrade Kambu Health Service. This includes $2 million for upgrades to the Roderick Street clinic, and an additional $500,000 to relocate the Children and Family Centre to Kambu’s kindergarten and long day care facility in Silkstone.
• $2 million to expand the Ipswich Basketball stadium and support the creation of a new basketball court at the Booval stadium
• $1 million the upgrade facilities at the Ripley Valley Football Club
• $500,000 to upgrade the Ipswich Hockey fields, including irrigation and lighting
• $3.5 million for a new India House cultural centre in Springfield
• $20,000 for a new toy library for multicultural communities at the Redbank Plains Community Centre.

Commitments received from the Australian Values Party:

• Infrastructure as part of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• $2.5 million for the Second River Crossing (Norman St Bridge) business case
• $1 million for the I2S Options Analysis Business Case
• $2.5 million for the Detailed Business Case to upgrade North Ipswich Reserve
• Commitments to push for upgrades to the Cunningham, Warrego, and Centenary Highways, and Ripley Valley interchanges
• Additional commitments to the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area and Waste and Circular Economy Transformation (unspecified).

Read also:

>>> Second river crossing to bust Ipswich Central congestion