Queensland’s fastest growing city, Ipswich, has hit a major population milestone.
Dave and Philisha Riddell last week received the keys to their newly built home at Walloon, pushing the city’s population up to 250,000.
The Riddells were identified as the landmark residents by Ipswich City Council’s innovative Ipswich Population Modeller which tracks the number of wheelie bins issued to new residents.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding along with Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan and Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann officially welcomed the Riddells to Ipswich on Tuesday (26 September).
“Congratulations to Dave and Philisha Riddell on becoming Ipswich’s 250,000th residents. It’s great to have you here,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich has come a long way since it was founded in 1860 and was proclaimed a city in 1904, at the time home to just 8,637 people.
“This latest milestone reaffirms our status as Queensland’s fastest growing city, with six new homes being added on average per day and more than 6,200 new residents choosing to call Ipswich home in the 12 months to 30 June.
“It underscores why we need ongoing and increased cooperation and investment from our State and Federal colleagues to provide funding for important infrastructure like roads, sewerage and public transport.”
Dave and Philisha Riddell said they chose Ipswich for the lifestyle it had to offer.
“We wanted to find somewhere that suited us, somewhere that was a little bit quieter. Walloon absolutely ticked that box for us,” Mr Riddell said.
“My work sometimes takes me to the RAAF Base at Amberley, so the location is convenient, and my wife absolutely loves the planes that fly over head into and out of the base.
“We have two grown children now, and this home is for the next phase of our life. We’re really looking forward to being a part of the Ipswich community.”
The Riddells highlight the importance of new development and growth not coming at the cost of lifestyle choices such as housing types and range of lot sizes.
The draft ShapingSEQ Regional Plan 2023 Update recognises that rapid population growth will be a part of Ipswich in the next decade.
Ipswich City Council is committed to supporting the anticipated growth in a way that preserves the city’s enviable lifestyle and affordability but also provides choice and diversity for existing and future residents.
Council is addressing growth matters through its draft new planning scheme, Ipswich Plan 2024, to provide more opportunities for a wider housing choice across the city and supporting density increases in high amenity areas located near services and transport.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said the Riddells had joined the Ipswich community at an exciting time for the city.
“Ipswich is poised to grow significantly in the years ahead, with our city’s population projected to grow from 250,000 today to 535,000 by 2046,” Cr Tully said.
“This growth brings some challenges but also significant opportunities for families choosing to live, work and play in Ipswich. There’s no better place to be right now in South East Queensland.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said he had no doubt the Riddells would find Ipswich and Walloon the perfect place to call home.
“Just as there is throughout the whole of Ipswich, there is a wonderful sense of community about Walloon which is one of our city’s most exciting and dynamic rural communities,” Deputy Mayor Milligan said.
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the community had a lot to offer.
“Ipswich is a wonderful mix of established and emerging communities combined with a growing array of community parks, extensive network of sporting facilities and unique local centres – it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to call the city home,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
Fast facts about Ipswich
- Current population: 250,000
- Projected population at 2046: 535,000
- Median age of 33
- Annual growth rate of 2.6 per cent
- On average six new homes added per day in 12 months to 30 June 2023
- Top five fastest growing suburbs: Ripley, Redbank Plains, Spring Mountain, Collingwood Park, Springfield Lakes
- Ipswich economy surpassed $12 billion for the first time in the 12 months ending 30 June 2022
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>> Still time to nominate an Ipswich legend
>> Major milestone – 100 flood-impacted homes bough back in Ipswich
>> Nearly 700 new homes built in Ipswich as population continues to grow
