Ipswich City Council has delivered its roadmap for the year ahead, with a focus on sustainable growth, major road upgrades, and a commitment to free and low-cost services for all.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said we must maintain momentum and continue building for one of the fastest growing cities in Queensland, and this Budget prioritises the investment needed in our suburbs.
“Council has set down an average general rate rise of 5.45 per cent as it sought to balance the needs of ratepayers with Ipswich’s unique position at the epicentre of Queensland’s population growth.
“Taking all rates and charges into account, this would be a weekly increase of $2.58 per week per household,” Mayor Harding said.
“We have recognised the unique cost pressures that Ipswich faces when compared with other councils, and this Budget takes steps accordingly.
“For example, this Budget ensures renters are not adversely impacted, by keeping the same rates and charges increase for non-owner-occupied properties as for owner occupied.
“Ipswich has the highest rate of growth of any south-east council in the coming decades. By 2046 our current population of 254,000 will have doubled to 533,000.
“We simply cannot stop our focus on managing this growth sustainably, and this budget is about ensuring our suburbs have quality parks, roads, pools, libraries and community facilities.
“Over the past three years, we have faced a construction cost index increase of a staggering 27 per cent and we have worked hard to reduce the impact on ratepayers wherever possible – as an organisation shouldering a $16 million increase in costs.
“This budget will allow us to deliver and maintain the suburban infrastructure our growing community needs, while minimising the impact on ratepayers.
“We will continue to deliver the major road upgrades our city needs, including $28 million for the ongoing Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial upgrades, and $1.8 million for the ongoing progress of Redbank Plains Road Stage 3.
“We are also starting the work to provide much-needed upgrades of Ripley and Fischer roads in Ripley and continuing construction on the upgrade of the Mary and Williams streets intersection at Blackstone.
“Our community sporting infrastructure will continue to be upgraded and expanded, meeting the needs of our sport loving community and keeping our city active and healthy.
“We will continue to deliver a wide range of free and low-cost services for families, recognising that in the current climate it is paramount that council offers a diverse, enjoyable range of services.
“Of course, we will also continue to advocate to the State and Federal governments for our fair share of funding to upgrade our critical infrastructure such as the Amberley Interchange on the Cunningham Highway and the Norman Street Bridge.”
More information about Ipswich City Council’s 2024-2025 Annual Plan and Budget can be found on council’s website.
Budget Highlights
- Total budget: $663 million.
- Overall increase for an average property rates bill: $2.58 per week.
- Same percentage increase for owner occupied properties and non-owner occupied.
- Waste Utility Charge: $464 annually.
- Enviroplan levy: $58 annually.
- Forecast debt at June 2025: $399 million.
- New loan borrowings in 2024-2025: $42 million.
- $203.6 million capital works program 2024-2025, and $528 million over the next three years.
- $28 million for ongoing Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial upgrades.
- $89 million for asset rehabilitation and flood recovery, including $11 million for the ongoing Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program.
- $22 million for Nicholas Street Precinct.
- $62.4 million maintaining, upgrading and expanding our road network.
- $5 million for resource recovery.
- $9.4 million for community and sports facilities.
- Conclusion of the 2022 flood recovery program this financial year.
Division 1
- $4 million for the Mary and William Street intersection upgrade in Blackstone.
- $3.5million for the replacement of the Hiddenvale Road and Tom Kerle Bridge, Calvert.
- $1.8 million toward the Redbank Plains Road upgrade – Stage 3 to a four-lane urban road, extending from Keidges Road to Kruger Parade.
- $500,000 toward the planning of a new sports facility, sports field, clubhouse and car park at Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve.
- $492,000 for establishment of an Islamic burial section at Stone Quarry Cemetery, Jeebropilly.
Division 2
- $28 million for the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial duplication projects.
- $1.8 million for kerb and channel rehabilitation at Emery Street, Carole Park.
- $1.8 million toward council’s contribution for 22B sports fields at Springfield Central.
- $1.5 million for pavement reconstruction at Jasmine Street, Bellbird Park.
- $1.35 million to replace lighting at Bob Gibbs Park Sports Field, Springfield.
Division 3
- $22 million for the Nicholas Street Precinct.
- $4 million for East Ipswich Catchment Drainage Rehabilitation – Undertake stormwater drainage rehabilitation works in the East Ipswich Catchment – Stage 1.
- $3.7 million for major upgrade of the Ipswich Nature Centre biosecurity area over three years.
- $1.3 million for road rehabilitation at Casey Street, Leichhardt.
- $600,000 for Queens Park Tennis court lighting replacements.
Division 4
- $3.2 million for the second stage of Tallegalla Cemetery expansion.
- $1.95 million for road culvert rehabilitation at Tallegalla Road, Tallegalla.
- $1.5 million for Adelong Avenue Road Rehabilitation, Thagoona.
- $1 million for the upgrade of the Wulkuraka Connection and Keswick Road, Karrabin.
- $1 million for upgrades to sporting field lighting at Ivor Marsden Memorial Sports Centre.
