Ipswich Today

The Ipswich Show plans to roar back to life in May so how confident is Ipswich Show Society that it will go ahead? Show president Darren Zanow explains the latest Covid-safe arrangements. Braille Lego is being made available for vision impaired residents with help from USQ Springfield Central and Vision Australia, new arrivals at Ipswich Nature Centre and how you can help shape Ipswich’s future de...

What does it take to be Ipswich’s Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year? In this episode meet Glen Smith and Pam Lane. Council is back from the holiday period with the first meeting of the year held January 28. Highlights include good news for footpath dining permit holders, there’s a half million dollar commitment from council towards making the Ipswich Central to Springfield Central...

Ipswich Today introduces a new panel discussion with Ashleigh Mac and Walter Williams. In this episode: Quirky Ipswich – what possesses someone to litter their front yard with a dazzling display of defamatory signs, can Ipswich be flood-proofed and is Ipswich a city of divided communities? Published: 25 January 2021. Music: www.purple-planet.com Book for Swich Summer Sounds event: https://www.ihfo...

Ipswich’s 2021 Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year announced along with other award nominees and winners, can student video gamers gain an edge in the classroom, and Ipswich City Council scores a win for diversity in the male dominated transport industry by actively recruiting and training female drivers for Ipswich Waste Services. Published: 21 January 2021. Music: www.purple-plane...

George Hatchman represents that admirable quality we need more of in the community – being a volunteer. George talks about his life in the RAAF, and becoming part of the heart and soul of Amberley and Willowbank. Also in this episode, local artists on show at Ipswich Art Gallery, Inland Rail accepting submissions and U3A Ipswich calls for volunteers and students in 2021. Published: 15 January 2021...

Ten years ago on the morning of Tuesday January 11, 2011, Ipswich had woken to the news the city was in for a major flood to rival 1974. It was raining on and off for what felt like months. The ground was saturated and could not take any more rain. Further falls caused instant runoff into creeks and rivers. Multiple flood warnings for the Bremer and Brisbane rivers were issued during the day and e...

Ipswich welcomes the new year with fireworks at not one, but four council sponsored locations, and a rundown of low cost or free activities to attend in January. Published: 3 January 2021. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Tulmur Place (Ipswich City Council) Givit: www.givit.org.au Discover Ipswich: www.discoveripswich.com.au Ipswich Art Gallery: www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au Ipswich Librarie...

The end of 2020 is in sight and what a long haul it has been. Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce president Phillip Bell sums up the feelings of 2020 and offers a positive view for 2021. Also in this episode a summary of low cost or free activities for families including a Covid-safe New Year's Eve, plus Ipswich hailstorm-affected residents are still in need of help. Published: 23 December 2020. Mu...

The year of coronavirus has reshaped the economy, probably no more so than in travel and tourism. In this episode I take a closer look at Ipswich tourism – more specifically tourism visitor numbers. Was it possible for Ipswich to double its number of visitors to the city in just five years from 2014 (pre Covid-19)? Published: 20 December 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich City Counc...

Ipswich councillors are keen to introduce random drug and alcohol testing for themselves but the best way forward is still up in the air. At the 10 December 2020 ordinary meeting of council Cr Paul Tully’s notice of motion was defeated, replaced by another from Cr Marnie Doyle. Published: 16 December 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/lucuella-37706....

Raynuha Sinnathamby is managing director of Springfield City Group and joins Ipswich Today to share her story. This conversation begins with early childhood memories including when the family moved from Kuala Lumpur to Perth then to Brisbane. Hear about Raynuha's decision to make her own way in life by studying law and how that became a fortuitous career choice before Maha Sinnathamby eventually c...

Ipswich City Council’s 10 December 2020 meeting turns almost farcical with debate over the use of the word 'implied'. This comes as some councillors are increasingly using the notice of motion option to make a point or raise issues without notice. Cr Tully put a motion this week to repeal a council decision made last month which resolved that councillor expenses for current serving councillors are...

In a year which has thrown up more than its fair share of surprises, including a housing boom, a major developer talks about housing trends and a new child care centre in the Ipswich suburb of Deebing Heights. The city’s new $17 million library is now open, several Ipswich state schools set for a boost in buildings and improvements, and school holiday fun at Ipswich Art Gallery. Published: 8 Decem...

Highlights from November’s ordinary meeting of Ipswich City Council held 26 November 2020 including the CEO’s performance appraisal panel, a Safe City advisory group re-established, council remains committed to a joint approach with neighbouring councils on managing waste, and will random drug and alcohol tests be introduced for councillors in 2021? Published: 5 December 2020. Music: www.purple-pl...

Dangerous Animals in the Home - a soon to be published book - is the true story of Karyn Webber who, on the surface, has it all with a successful business, popularity, loving family and friends. But beneath the surface there is much more. With her book Karyn aims to dissolve the taboo surrounding the subject of paedophilia and allow other victims to start a conversation. Published: 3 December 2020...

You've heard of a tree change, or even a sea change. But what a about a sea change actually living on the sea? Nine years ago long-term Ipswich residents Rob and Karen Oberg sold the family home to take an 18,000 nautical mile blue water journey to the Mediterranean and UK. Their story is one of most amazing adventures you'll hear, including a hair-raising near miss closer to home that was inches...

Ipswich councillor Paul Tully votes against more transparency measures, Ipswich’s famous McMahon’s soft drinks return for a limited time, Jamie’s Ministry of Food reopens for the holidays and West Moreton Covid testing reaches 100,000. Published: 27 November 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Cr Paul Tully (Ipswich City Council). Council agendas and minutes: https://bit.ly/2JlrVKY Council's...

Tickets to Ipswich’s Christmas Wonderland (Friday Dec 11 - Tues Dec 22) go on sale, the new interim children’s library opens its doors in South Street, Ipswich council to become food truck friendly, and Ipswich Enviroplan chalks up 25 years of conservation. Published: 23 November 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Christmas Wonderland (Ipswich City Council). Christmas Wonderland tickets: ht...

From this week’s committees: Ipswich City Council’s local disaster management policy under review following recent severe weather, the latest on council’s Transparency and Integrity Hub, and Covid-19 fees and charges relief extended to June 2021. Published: 20 November 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Cr Russell Milligan (Ipswich City Council). Council agendas and minutes: https://ipswich...

Mao’s Last Dancer author and Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin visits Ipswich to give a morale boost to the local arts community and raise the profile of creative industries at a council-hosted summit. Also in this episode council’s now-closed Whitwood Road landfill site at risk of causing environmental damage without remedial works at a substantial cost. Published: 16 November 2020. M...

High achieving local businesses were recognised at the annual City of Ipswich Business Excellence Awards held 7 November 2020. In this episode Ipswich Chamber of Commerce president Phil Bell congratulates the winners, reveals current business sentiment as we head into Christmas and talks about business outlook for 2021. Published: 13 November 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Phillip Bell...

Political brinkmanship was on show in the council chamber at an extraordinary meeting of Ipswich City Council held 5 November 2020. Councillors were split over selection of members to sit on a CEO performance review panel. The meeting also decided to proceed with finalising commercial-in-confidence negotiations with an operator to allow for reopening and expansion of the CBD cinema complex which i...

A week after the state election counting continues and so does analysis of the result. Are minor parties becoming irrelevant? Has the influence of social media peaked or are some candidates to blame for going overboard before and during the campaign? In this episode an independent view from political expert Professor Geoff Cockfield from the University of Southern Queensland. Published: 6 November...

As the dust settles after the state election re-elected member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard gives her thoughts on a Labor win, the local campaign and minor parties. Also in this episode Ipswich City Council announces the opening date for Tulmur Place and the new Ipswich Central Library in the Nicholas Street Precinct. Published: 4 November 2020. Music: www.purple-planet.com Tulmur Place events: www...

Dave Cullen returns to Ipswich Today for a revealing chat about his life. What he has to say may shock some people but it will also inspire others, and he shares his thoughts about the first six months of the new council. Also in this episode Ipswich City Council wants to hear ideas from residents for new activities in Tulmur Place (Nicholas Street Precinct). Published: 29 October 2020. Music: www...