A new hotel and short-term accommodation action plan will better position Ipswich City Council to attract greater hotel investment ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Growth Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding moved the Notice of Motion calling for a hotel and short-term accommodation plan, which was unanimously supported by councillors at the July council meeting.
Mayor Harding said the plan would explore the short-stay accommodation gaps across the city, suitable accommodation types and locations to fill these gaps, and ensure Council had the right regulatory and planning settings in place to encourage hotel investment in Ipswich.
“Ipswich has a significant undersupply of hotel and short-stay accommodation to meet the growing needs of our city, and to ensure we are well positioned to take advantage of future opportunities,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council has already taken proactive steps into this space with discounted development application fees for hotels and our Shop Top Living Initiative to encourage repurposing of unused commercial spaces and high-quality residential developments.
“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games now only nine years away, it’s time we take a focused look at what more Council can do to promote greater hotel investment across our city.
“Having suitable accommodation is essential if Ipswich wants to maximise its Games’ opportunities. Without the right hotel accommodation, we will struggle to attract pre-Games training and international visitation in the lead up to and during 2032.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said it was a good initiative as Ipswich needed more hotel and short-term accommodation options to cater for a growing population and increasing visitor numbers to the city.
“If we are able to provide some input and decision-making about how we as a local government can assist hotel and short-term accommodation opportunities, then that would be great for our community. It is good that we are on the front foot with this issue.”
Cr Tully noted that council in May introduced a new development application fee discount to lure more hotels and high-quality multiple residential developments to the city. Under the 2023-2024 Fees and Charges, developers who propose new hotels or some multiple dwellings in medium and high-density residential zones will have development application fees waived.
Council will prepare a report by November 2023, with the action plan set to complement council’s existing Economic Development Strategy and the soon to be released 2032 Legacy Roadmap.
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