Ipswich City Council will focus on the delivery of sport and community facility upgrades, expansions and new projects this year after investing significant funds last year into fixing flood-damaged facilities.
Community and Sport Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said council’s 2024-2025 Annual Plan and Budget would allocate funding for major projects across the city.
“We have spent much of the last year repairing and rebuilding our sports fields, clubhouses, community facilities and related infrastructure, so it is exciting to look forward to new work,” Cr Augustine said.
“Council has assumed management of Redbank Plains Community Centre and will soon do so for Riverview Community Centre and in so doing will coordinate the provision and delivery of a number of essential services under one roof at each location.
“We are also planning and designing a number of new sports fields, expanding sports complexes and ensuring our sports-mad city gets the first-class facilities they so richly need and deserve.”
Cr Augustine said that through council’s popular Active and Healthy program, it has delivered more than 1,200 physical activity and wellbeing sessions in the community in the last financial year.
“That’s more than 20,000 people who have taken up the opportunity to join free or low-cost exercise and wellbeing sessions,” Cr Augustine said.
“Active and Healthy will only expand this year, with our new partnership with the Brisbane Lions bringing exciting new opportunities.
“We have entered into a $300,000 per annum three-year partnership with the Lions, leveraging the club’s Ipswich base to create greater sporting opportunities for our city and residents. This strategic partnership ensures Ipswich generates maximum benefit from having a tier-one national sporting organisation headquartered right here in our city.”
Highlights in the 2024-2025 Annual Plan and Budget include:
- Planning and design of new sports fields and carpark within Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve.
- Upgrade of sports field lighting on Baxter Oval, Ivor Marsden Memorial Sports Centre to ensure compliance with Cricket Australia standards.
- Upgrade the Rosewood Aquatic Centre as an outcome of the Aquatic Facilities Action Plan.
- Expansion of the existing Tivoli Sporting Complex, including an additional field, parking and amenities.
- Continuation of our successful Active and Healthy programs.
More information about Ipswich City Council’s 2024-2025 Annual Plan and Budget can be found on council’s website.
