Mayor’s column | Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce monthly newsletter

November 2023

Our city’s largest ever road upgrade has reached a major milestone. The first of three stages is now complete in the duplication of the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial. The sections completed are the Springfield Parkway from Hymba Yumba Independent School to the Centenary Highway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial from Springfield Parkway to Eden Station Drive. We know that Springfield residents have been crying out for these improvements for a long time, and we appreciate that months of roadworks can be frustrating. With this critical work now complete, six lanes of traffic travelling from three directions are all navigating through a new signalised intersection at Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial – the biggest in council’s road network. The completion of these works also mean the upgrade of the Exit 32 ramp can now continue at pace. Exit 32 was closed in August to save months in construction time and millions in overall project cost, fast-tracking its reopening.

Year of success and fiscal responsibility

Did you know that in the past financial year, 6,228 new residents called Ipswich home? There were also six new houses built on average every day. Much of this growth is in the eastern suburbs including the greater Springfield area. The city is on the move. Ipswich City Council’s Annual Report 2022-2023 showcases this thriving population and robust economy and shares council’s plan for the delivery of infrastructure and services for the year ahead. From the redevelopment of the city centre at Nicholas Street Precinct, to the burgeoning new suburbs on our eastern, southern and western growth fronts, Ipswich is changing rapidly, while still maintaining our history and heritage. The city’s economy has shot past the $12 billion mark in the 12 months to 30 June 2023, with a $614 million year-on-year growth.

I’m very proud of the strong financial management throughout the year, which has enabled Ipswich City Council to deliver an operating surplus of $5.4 million

To read the report, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au

Key statistics from the 2022-2023 financial year:

• 1340 development applications determined
• 6,228 new residents
• 125,000 wheelie bins collected each week
• 8496 tonnes of kerbside green waste to compost
• 107,325 free plants distributed
• 52km of additional pathways and bikeways
• 69km of additional local roads

Cleaner and greener kerbside collection coming

It’s very exciting to announce council has chosen an operator to deliver the city’s new, on-demand, kerbside large item collection service that will start next year. Handel Group will provide the service on a 10-year contract. Ipswich residents will have greater access and more flexibility to dispose of unwanted household items. Each eligible household will have one collection a year at no charge. Residents will be able to book the service online or via telephone at a time that is convenient for them. They will be provided with a large, two-cubic metre bag, which is then collected from the kerbside. By collecting in a bag it means there is less chance of broken glass, scrap metals and unwanted waste littering the kerbside. Previously, kerbside collection items went straight to landfill, but under this new model up to 80 per cent of materials is expected to be recovered. This is a huge win for council, the community and our environment.

IHF Real Christmas Tree Fundraiser

Council has partnered with the Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) to promote a Real Christmas Tree Fundraiser as part of the Christmas in Ipswich Program. People can visit the IHF’s website – ihfoundation.org.au – to pre-order the Christmas tree from 13 November. Purchasing a real Christmas tree through this initiative will raise funds that go back into our city’s hospitals. You can pick up your real tree on Wednesday 13 December, from 3pm to 7pm, during a special Christmas activity in the St Nicholas Precinct, council’s spectacular immersive light display and larger-than-life installations for Christmas. Don’t delay. For the first year, tree numbers are limited, so get your order in early.