Mayor’s column | Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce monthly newsletter
January 2024
Work on stage 3 of the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial Road Upgrade continues on schedule this month. From 10 to 25 January, nightwork will take place to allow the upgrade of stormwater drainage and the installation of new street lights and electrical networks along the Springfield Greenbank Arterial and Main Street, Springfield. Council understands the impact these roadworks have on residents and businesses, with all efforts made to minimise dust and noise. Once this project is complete, travel through this key point in Springfield will be significantly smoother, safer and faster.
Flood resilience improvements continue
The second anniversary of the 2022 major flood draws near and the city is steadily implementing recommendations from its 2022 Flood Review. The review found council had strong, effective disaster response and recovery policies in place, and also recommended 47 further improvements. All 47 recommendations for improvements were adopted by council in December last year. To date, we have completed 12 recommendations, with 27 in progress and eight to be started. Completed works include improvement of culturally and linguistically diverse messaging and calls to action, as well as improvement for council’s flood maps and forecasts. We are also continuing to expand the flood camera network, which has already proven successful in providing timely information to residents on flood levels. We know that future floods will come, and the implementation of these recommendations will ensure we are well-equipped to face whatever happens in the future.
$100,000 boost for Ipswich community and sporting organisation
Fifteen worthy community and sporting groups will share in more than $100,000 of financial support thanks to the latest rounds of Council’s community projects and events funding programs. Successful organisations include the Westminster Warriors Soccer Club, Westside Community Care Centre, the Domestic Violence Action Centre, and the Vedanta Centre. Council is delighted to be able to offer ongoing support to our local community and sporting organisations and encourages groups to take a look at what funding program may be suitable for them. More information and eligibility criteria are available here.
Enviroplan continues to protect and enhance
Council’s Enviroplan Program continues to deliver positive outcomes for residents and businesses in the greater Springfield area. Ipswich was one of the first local governments to introduce a levy focused on protecting and enhancing our natural environment. Since then, the community and council have worked together to implement the Enviroplan Program and deliver the newly adopted Natural Environment Strategy. Together, this spans more than 6,700 hectares of conservation land, with the Ipswich Enviroplan portfolio reporting a total spend of $3.9 million in 2022-2023. This money was used on the acquisition of conservation land, partnerships, planning and environmental management. Our city’s urban biodiversity is crucial to the overall wellbeing of our residents, our rivers, reserves and native wildlife and council is proud to champion our natural environment.