The restoration of Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve in Chuwar into a flood-resilient public park is on schedule, despite recent rain across Ipswich, with reactivation of the site set for December 2024.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said at this stage rehabilitation works were progressing well and contractors remained confident of finishing on time.
“It is exciting to see the progress at Colleges Crossing with the park undergoing significant and rapid changes after the devastating impacts of the 2022 floods,” Mayor Harding said.
“The site remains completely closed to the public while work is completed, and I thank the community for their patience. It’s exciting to know we are nearing the end of this long journey to restoring one of Ipswich’s most popular public parks to full access.
“The community has provided great input on what they want to see at Colleges Crossing, particularly around the inclusion of cultural elements. I’m delighted to see this will be a key feature of the new design.
“Cultural elements will include totem landscape features, educational and interpretive signage, sandblasted artwork, and beautiful art on sandstone bricks.
“Rather than having a café building plumbed and hardwired into the site, the reserve will have areas for food trucks which will add to the amenity and enjoyment of the area.”
Work underway on the new playground at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve
New play equipment on site ready for installation at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said crucial construction work was well underway on site.
“The construction phase of works at Colleges Crossing continues, with bulk earthworks now complete and installation of services to the site commencing,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“These works include the installation of power, solar lighting and irrigation. This month, we have also begun work constructing new shelters, shade sails and playgrounds, with landscaping and completion of amenities to follow.”
The new amenities block taking shape at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve
Division 4 Councillor David Cullen said community feedback was positive and supportive of council being able to progress the work for Ipswich residents to enjoy Colleges Crossing once again.
“Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve on the Brisbane River is a special place for the community and remains culturally significant for the traditional owners and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Cr Cullen said.
“It has been popular for picnics, sport, tourism, water activities and for the continuation of cultural practices and connections for many years. I’m pleased we are seeing so much progress on its restoration.”
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said the new community-led design for Colleges Crossing would enable council to reopen this beloved riverside park with a more sustainable and nature-based design.
“We are focused on making a reserve that is more flood resilient, which can be re-opened more quickly and at a lower cost after each flood event, while also ensuring our First Nations People and the wider community can continue to enjoy the reserve now and into the future,” Cr Madden said.
“Council is working hard to deliver that design, and we now anticipate this popular park will be reopened to the community in late 2024.”
This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The final concept designs have been created for the rehabilitation of Colleges Crossing and can be viewed here.