Ipswich City Council’s 2024-2025 Annual Plan and Budget delivers vital infrastructure to support a growing city with a major focus on our suburbs, including by investing in suburban roads, sports facilities and community assets.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the $663 million budget includes a significant investment of $203.6 million in the city’s capital works program – part of a $528 million capital works program over three years.
“This is a budget for all of Ipswich, with investments in community infrastructure spread across our city’s suburbs,” Mayor Harding said.
“Our city is young, fast-growing, and attractive for new families. Every dollar our council spends goes directly on the necessary services we need to support our rapidly growing population – roads, parks, community facilities, and more.
“We will spend $62.4 million maintaining, upgrading and expanding our road network to keep our city moving.
“That investment focuses on our major road projects, the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial upgrade; expansion of Redbank Plains Road and now the upgrades of Fischer and Ripley roads, with $33.6 million invested.
“We must also maintain our sealed and gravel roads, with $16.2 million going towards rehabilitation. There is a further $2.6 million for kerb and channel work across the region.”
Work underway duplicating Springfield Greenbank Arterial in June 2024 as part of council’s largest ever road upgrade.
Mayor Harding said council had allocated $89 million to asset rehabilitation, including the city’s ongoing flood recovery from major weather events in 2022 and 2024.
“Flood recovery includes $11.1 million towards the Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program, which will continue through to 2026. We have seen 161 properties purchased with most already demolished or removed, while community consultation will soon commence for the potential future use of the open green space,” Mayor Harding said.
“Work is nearing completion on the Nicholas Street Precinct with the opening later this year of the HOYTS Cinemas complex and Hotel Commonwealth, with $22 million allocated towards the final push in construction and finalising tenants.
“We have allocated $5 million for resource recovery, which includes $1.5 million for the Riverview Recycling and Refuse Centre upgrade, $1 million to progress the Southern Resource Recovery and Recycling and Animal Management facilities at Redbank Plains and $500,000 for the Western Resource Recovery and Recovery Facility planning and design.
“There is $1.6 million set aside for waste truck replacement, as we continue the process of switching to a more modern, safer and sustainable fleet.”
Mayor Harding said council’s libraries are a constant source of education, entertainment and excitement for young and old and it was vital to invest every year to keep them revitalised and relevant.
“We have put $1 million into enhancements for our major libraries at Ipswich Central, Springfield Central, Rosewood and Redbank Plains, while we also refurbish the popular pod at Karalee and investigate setting up another at Ripley,” Mayor Harding said.
“Our Enviroplan has been a critical environmental asset for council for many years and the levy will increase $5 this year, from $53 to $58. This council has shown it has strong environmental credentials as we continue to expand our conservation estates, and is spending today to make a better future for Ipswich.
“Council is serious about protecting the city’s environment for future generations. Our wonderful environment is a key part of why Ipswich is such a liveable and idyllic city, and this Budget continues to deliver for our residents.”