Mayor’s column monthly newsletter – July 2025
Ipswich City Council’s 2025-2026 Annual Plan and Budget
Ipswich City Council presented its 2025-2026 Annual Plan and Budget on 1 July.
Council is operating with a budget surplus – an achievement that allows us to invest in what matters most to our community.
This financial stability allows us to continue to deliver the high-quality services, programs and infrastructure our residents rely on. We are building a city that is not only growing but thriving.
We continue to offer some of the lowest rates in the South East while rolling out a $165 million capital works program that is projected to grow to almost $200 million in 2026-2027 and $211 million the year after.
Work on the duplication of the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial is well advanced and will continue this financial year, and the much-needed upgrade of Ripley Road is on track.
Our city has been significantly underfunded by both the Australian and Queensland governments and, as a result, we are facing a billion-dollar infrastructure gap over the coming decade.
The Budget includes a dedicated infrastructure levy to begin addressing this significant shortfall in investment. These funds will be invested directly into projects that matter most to our community – upgrades to roads, improved intersections, park facilities and expanded transport infrastructure.
What’s good for the community is good for businesses and I’m confident that this budget will help our city succeed.
To find out more about the 2025-2026 Annual Plan and Budget, visit www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/budget
SPARK Ipswich
Our annual city-wide festival, SPARK Ipswich, celebrating the people, places, arts and culture of our city is making its return this month for its fifth year.
From 11 to 20 July, the city will transform into a canvas of colour and light across 10 days of arts, culture, music and family fun. This year’s expanded program features 50 events across the city, showcasing the best local talent in music, visual arts, performance and more.
From large-scale light installations and cutting-edge art projections to street parties and music festivals, SPARK Ipswich truly offers something for everyone. This year’s festival is extra special as it includes celebrations to mark 50 years of the Ipswich Civic Centre.
World of Music Ipswich (WOMI) has always been a hit with our Greater Springfield community and it’s sure to get Orion Springfield Central buzzing again on 13 July. Our youngest residents can also get involved in the fun at Little Day Out at Ripley Town centre on 20 July as they dance, sing, play and create.
There’s plenty more to see and do, visit IpswichFestivals.com.au for the full program.
Rainforest Walk reopens
The popular Rainforest Walk at Robelle Domain has officially reopened.
Restoration work to the embankment and boardwalk was recently completed after it was damaged in the 2022 floods. The Rainforest Walk is now ready to be explored, right in time for the school holidays.
The entrance to the walk is located near the Orion Lagoon.
Thank you to the local community for their patience while these works were carried out.
Get Active and Healthy
Speaking of school holidays, a great way to keep the kids busy is with council’s free Active Kids School Holiday Program.
The Greater Springfield area is spoilt for choice with sports of all kinds, from volleyball at the Atlantic Drive Sporting Complex Springfield Lakes, scooter fun at Bob Gibbs Park Springfield and retro games at Providence Park South Ripley to name a few.
The Active and Healthy program has been incredibly popular with the community, and it continues to grow each year. For more information, click here.
Silver Jubilee Clubhouse opens
The new Silver Jubilee Sports Facility Clubhouse is now officially open, giving the local Springfield Lakes Hawkes Rugby Union Club and the Springfield Stingers Touch Football Club a home.
The new space includes a club room, changing rooms, referees’ and officials’ rooms, a commercial grade kitchen and a canteen and food preparation area.
This clubhouse will allow these clubs to provide members and players with excellent facilities, which in turn will attract more members and players – hopefully resulting in significant growth in the clubs drawing from an increasing number of people moving to Spring Mountain.
The Silver Jubilee Sports Club Facility Clubhouse caps off the Silver Jubilee Sports facility which boasts a host of sporting facilities including two rugby fields, four touch football fields, six dedicated basketball and netball hard courts, picnic facilities and a playground.
Ipswich is growing at an unprecedented rate and council is working hard to deliver infrastructure like this clubhouse which not only provide high quality recreation options bringing the community together but also improves quality of life and encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.
The $3.5 million project was supported with $1.97 million from the Australian Government under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and $1.55 million from council.
The clubhouse is a welcome addition to this thriving community space.