Mayor’s column | Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce monthly newsletter
March 2024
City growing fast
Ripley, Redbank Plains and Spring Mountain continued to be the main growth hot spots during the final quarter of 2023 as 835 new dwellings were built, and 523 new lots were created across Ipswich.
Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Quarterly Report from 1 October to 31 December 2023 released this week provides a snapshot of population growth and development activity across the city.
A further 2,387 residents also call the city home taking the city’s population to 253,093 – a rise of 1 per cent on the previous quarter as the city continues to grow.
Ripley (595 new residents), Redbank Plains (415), Spring Mountain (233). Collingwood Park (155) and White Rock (141) were the city’s top five fastest growing suburbs. Business activity also increased as 97 new food business licences were lodged or approved over the quarter.
The full Planning and Regulatory Services Quarterly Report can be read at News and Events – Planning & Development (ipswichplanning.com.au)
Council Works – Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial Road Upgrade
It’s great to see Stage 1 of the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial, almost at practical completion. The landscaping is in now and once it becomes established will move to our regular maintenance schedule.
Stage 2 has reached completion for the design phase and work is being completed on the early works to accelerate the project. The extension of the 3.6 metre culvert above Hymba Yumba started in December with good early progress, although work has been paused for the moment as ongoing rain and storms persist.
The next steps for Stage 2 is vegetation clearing and earthworks, including a reinforced earth wall north of Hymba Yumba to facilitate service relocations, replacing a collapsed sewer main, electrical relocation conduiting, Phase 1 Water Main relocation and sleeper retaining walls.
Stage 3 includes reconfiguration work on QR eastern carpark, which is scheduled to open late March early April. In Stage 3, there was extensive flooding in Mountain Creek and this area will require replanting and a more resilient design. Despite the rain, teams were able to progress the stormwater and electrical work, as well as the new Park and Ride entry pavements.
This stage will see the road along the section widened to four lanes, the roundabout at Springfield Greenbank Arterial/Main Street/Centenary Highway Exit 32 off ramp upgraded to a signalised intersection, new entry/exit points at the existing Springfield Central Railway Station carpark, road cycle lanes of 2m wide and shared pathways ranging from 1.5m to 3m wide.
Clean Up Springfield Lakes
Clean Up Australia Day was a great success across Ipswich. With over 50 registered sites, many members of our community stepped up to help.
Several Springfield community groups such as Springfield Scout Group and Springfield Lakes Nature Centre Inc. were a huge help in gathering members of the community to volunteer on the day.
Parking Changes to YMCA Springfield – 134 Parkland Drive, Springfield Central
Last month, Council made changes to the Local Law that regulates local parking.
The community raised several issues with finding a park for visiting the YMCA Springfield Central Community Centre, community care and numerous other facilities onsite.
Council has now implemented an Interim Local Law for six months with timed parking for 3 hours. The regulated parking allows Council to provide safer, more efficient and equitable parking for the community to visit the facilities.
Council is keen to receive feedback on this interim change.
Official Opening of Lucas Drive, South Ripley
Lucas Drive, South Ripley is a key piece of infrastructure creating a second entry point to the Centenary Highway via Sandstone Boulevard. This new road is expected to be used by about 15,000 motorists each day.
We are already seeing this road ease traffic congestion and has connected the highway to the Ripley and White Rock community.
Stockland Providence is expected to unlock 5,600 new homes in this area. The Queensland Government contributed $5.91 million with the remainder funded by Stockland, assisting to complete the $15 million 1km east-west arterial road.
Council to drive growth with Ripley Road upgrade
Council is advancing the design and construction upgrades of two vital connecting roads within the Ripley Valley in a staged approach.
Ripley Road is set to be upgraded to a four-lane median divided urban road. Upgrades will take place between the Cunningham Highway and Fischer Road (approximately 2.6km inclusive of all intersections).
The upgrade also includes Fischer Road from Nevis Road to Monterea Road. This road will become a two-lane urban road (approximately 750m inclusive of all intersections).
Ripley Valley is one of the largest urban growth areas in Australia and Ipswich City Council is investing in local road upgrades to keep the city moving during this next exciting growth phase.
An information page on the project is now available on council’s Shape Your Ipswich website to keep residents informed as construction proceeds.
The upgrades of Ripley and Fischer Roads will now join the list of significant road projects now underway, including Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial Road and Redbank Plains Road, to ensure our road network continues to expand to meet the needs of our growing city.