Ensuring everyone in Ipswich can find a safe place to call home is the focus of a new housing action plan adopted by Ipswich City Council.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the new City of Ipswich Local Housing Action Plan charts the path to improved housing diversity, availability, choice and affordability amid a population boom expected to double the city’s population to 535,000 residents by 2046.
“Ipswich is a city with a very high proportion of detached residential dwellings, and it’s critical we have more diverse housing stock to meet the needs of every resident,” Mayor Harding said.
“Housing supply and affordability issues make it hard for people to have a roof over their heads, and as one of Queensland’s fastest growing cities, the issues plaguing the housing sector across the country are also having an impact in Ipswich.
“While housing is primarily the responsibility of the State and Federal governments, Ipswich City Council has adopted the Local Housing Action Plan to advocate for investment and action at all levels of government on delivering homes for all residents.
“This new housing plan demonstrates to the State and Federal governments what is urgently needed in Ipswich, calling for proactive and collaborative action to deliver more affordable housing, and more diverse homes.
“The plan recognises not everyone wants a four-bedroom house on a single block of land.
“Whether it be downsizers, people who live alone or family households, people with accessibility needs or those looking for a cheaper alternative, it’s important to provide more choice when it comes to housing.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said any new developments for residential housing would be carefully and strategically planned.
“Together with the draft Ipswich Plan 2024, this housing plan supports more diverse housing options, such as mid-rise and high-rise development close to public transport, jobs and services,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“The draft Ipswich Plan 2024 supports the faster delivery of more homes through reducing red tape for dual occupancy and secondary dwellings in most residential zones. This is aimed at increasing the housing stock through ‘gentle density’ across Ipswich.
“Connectivity and ease of movement are also integral to a functioning city. You can’t have more people living in an area without first ensuring they can move around easily, therefore this plan demonstrates the importance of State and Federal government delivery of key public transport projects citywide.
“The plan also identifies the need to consider incentives and review under-utilised landholdings owned by other levels of government to encourage mid-rise to high-rise housing in our city.
“Council has also noted the need for the State Government to update residential modelling for the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area to include more flexible and diverse living options such as townhouses, duplexes and units.
“We know the Ripley Valley is home to our fastest-growing suburbs, but the bulk of properties are standalone homes on single blocks.
“With South-East Queensland’s property prices going through the roof, many of these properties are out of reach for many people and families.
“Therefore, we need more diverse options in the market to ensure more affordable and accessible housing choices to satisfy the varied needs of Ipswich residents going forward.”
View the City of Ipswich Local Housing Action Plan on the Ipswich City Council website here.
