Council will deliver more than $13 million from the 2022-2023 Budget on new and existing parks and sports grounds across the city, plus upgrades, extensions and rehabilitation to other facilities.
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said the significant investment of almost $5 million more than the previous budget in the outdoors reflected the community’s passion for parks, sport and the environment.
“Our city has dozens of great parks and playgrounds, wonderful walking and cycling paths, and a beautiful natural backdrop that draws visitors from far and wide to explore and enjoy,” Cr Fechner said.
“Ipswich’s fields and ovals, trails and tracks, pools and courts attract athletes of all ages and abilities, where local legends are born and future world-beaters forged.”
“Unfortunately, many sporting facilities were damaged during the floods earlier this year with council working towards their repair and rectification,” Cr Fechner said.
“However, as our city continues to grow and welcome new residents, teams and sports, demand also continues for increased and upgraded facilities across Ipswich.
“Council is committed to spending ratepayers’ money maintaining and improving our city’s parks and sports grounds wisely through careful consideration and prioritisation of new and upgraded open spaces and sporting facilities across Ipswich.”
Some of the big-ticket items in the parks, sports and environment budget include:
- Ironbark Park Clubhouse – Construction for the new clubhouse and changerooms in Ripley – $1.5 million
- Jim Donald Parklands – Construction of a clubhouse and sporting infrastructure for the Silkstone parklands – $680,000
- Richardson Park – upgrades to the playground and facilities for the park in Goodna – $622,000
- Fernbrooke Sports Field Lighting – Installation of lighting for the sports fields in Redbank Plains – $600,000
- Cameron Park – upgrades to the playground and facilities for the park in Booval – $572,000
- Tivoli Sporting Complex Sports Field upgrade – Design of new sports fields and facilities including irrigation, lighting and public amenities – $250,000
- John Murphy Park Fence – installation of a new fence to the park in Brassall – $145,000
- About $4.9 million would be spent on rehabilitation to sports fields and parks
Cr Fechner said 60 projects would be worked on in 2022-2023, but in the three-year capital program there were almost 80 planned for suburbs across Ipswich.
“The wide range of projects include small upgrades and improvements such as signage, new retaining walls, new turf on fields, car park extensions, storage facilities, lighting and toilets to substantial projects that require complex planning, design and construction,” Cr Fechner said.
Council has also allocated $35,000 in Sports and Recreation grants to provide support to local athletes to assist with expenses incurred as part of Queensland and Australian Representative professional opportunities.
For more information about council’s 2022-2023 Budget, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/budget
