Council has committed $41.5 million in its 2022-2023 Budget to the next phase of work in the Nicholas Street Precinct redevelopment.
Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee Chairperson Councillor Marnie Doyle said a significant proportion of the funds will be spent on the delivery of leisure, entertainment, food and beverage areas.
“This exciting stage of the Nicholas Street Precinct will see construction of the food and beverage and entertainment aspects,” Cr Doyle said.
“Council has taken a derelict mall and delivered a revitalised, inclusive space for the local community to not only enjoy but be proud of, in the heart of Ipswich.”
“With the opening of council’s 1 Nicholas Street administration building, Ipswich Children’s Library, Ipswich Central Library and Tulmur Place, this is a great time to visit the Nicholas Street Precinct,” Cr Doyle said.
“While council has faced many challenges to deliver this project with the coronavirus pandemic, flooding, inflation and supply chain issues, we continue to open new venues and provide the platform for services to operate centrally for the Ipswich community.”
Another piece of the Nicholas Street Precinct puzzle has come together following practical completion of restoration works to the Commonwealth Hotel and a new operator, AusHotels.
The Nicholas Street Precinct redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation project which has included the opening of Tulmur Place civic plaza in November 2020, a new Ipswich Central Library in December 2020 as well as the delivery of a new council administration building and Australia’s first stand-alone dedicated children’s library in June 2021.
It also includes the restoration of The Commonwealth Hotel (formerly known as Murphy’s Hotel) and delivery of a new dining hub and retail spaces.
The Nicholas Street Precinct story can be viewed on the Transparency and Integrity Hub at https://open.ipswich.qld.gov.au/stories
In publishing information on the Transparency and Integrity Hub, council must comply with all relevant legislation. In some instances, data which may identify individuals or companies has been masked for legal and/or privacy reasons.
Councillor Doyle said work will start shortly on the extension of the Commonwealth Hotel to the rear to increase its footprint (funding included in the 2021-22 annual budget).
“Once completed the hotel will draw more people to the precinct, bolster local trade and help reactivate the night-time economy complement the precinct’s other new offerings,” Cr Doyle said.
Bringing people back to Ipswich Central and the Nicholas Street Precinct development aligns with one of the key concepts of council’s iFuture document, a 20-year community vision and five-year corporate plan: vibrant and growing.
“One of our outcomes for 2026 is that Ipswich is known as a sought-after location for business, industry and visitors. The continued redevelopment of the Nicholas Street Precinct and reactivation of Ipswich Central is a beacon, sending a message loud and clear that our city centre is open for business and ready for investment,” Cr Doyle said.
To see what events are coming up in the Nicholas Street Precinct and Tulmur Place, visit nicholasst.com.au and sign up for e-newsletters or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information about council’s 2022-2023 Budget, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/budget