Ipswich Today

Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac are back on the show for another yarn over the back fence. In this episode Easter holiday fun, we can’t escape the federal election campaign, council committee highlights including the proposal to help right a few wrongs from the past at Ipswich Cemetery, ArtsConnect popup shop in Booval Fair and Gout Gout has lost none of his star power after missing the Stawell G...

Are you job hunting with the help of artificial intelligence? There are shortcuts to a great resume but what about the pitfalls. To help you avoid the traps when using AI University of Southern Queensland careers expert Dr Jennifer Luke joins the show with priceless advice to help you score that next job. Published: 15 April 2025. Image: UniSQ careers expert Dr Jennifer Luke (supplied) Theme music...

At close of nominations last week 17 candidates are listed across the federal seats of Blair and Oxley. In this episode find out who is running and the ballot paper order. Plus, local rivers get a cleanup and the Ipswich Film Festival for Youth is back for another year. Published: 14 April 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Part of the haul of rubbish from council'...

Campaigning is now in full flight for the May 3 poll. Shayne Neumann joins this episode. He was first elected to the seat of Blair in 2007 and has put his hand up to run again. What has he achieved, why much-needed infrastructure is yet to materialise and what he’s promising to get done if re-elected. Plus we talk about Ipswich Civic Centre, four-year terms and what, if any, influence Trump will h...

The first week of the federal election campaign throws up a few surprises, a prediction Shayne Neumann will win Blair, what Trump’s tariffs could mean for Ipswich and differences in voter sentiment between states. University of Southern Queensland's Emeritus Professor John Cole is an expert in social and economic development in regional Australia. He joins the show to talk about the biggest issues...

Australian households could be hit with a $581 million annual pesticide bill if fire ant eradication efforts fail, a new report by the Australia Institute has revealed. In this episode Rod Campbell from the institute joins the show to explain a potential nationwide cost burden of more than $1 billion. Published: 31 March 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Australia...

Suspected councillor conduct breach matter delayed until next month, new Ipswich planning scheme due to commence July 1, CEO contract renewed, the latest on proposed developments in WM Hughes Street North Ipswich and usefulness of sandbags questioned. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the March 27 meeting of Ipswich City Council. Recorded: 27 March 2025. Published: 28 March 2025. Theme mus...

In this episode Ipswich City Council reveals allegations against councillor Andrew Antoniolli. Since publishing episode 429 earlier today council has published online late today the full agenda with attachments for Thursday’s council meeting. Published: 24 March 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Image: Ipswich councillor Andrew Antoniolli (supplied) Ipswich City Council...

Another big week for Ipswich councillors as they prepare for Thursday’s council meeting. Among other things on the agenda there’s a major $67 million green waste contract to vote on, a suspected councillor conduct breach, a report on the new Ipswich Planning Scheme and a contract renewal for CEO Sonia Cooper. Also in this episode microchip company goes offline, Cyclone Alfred by the numbers and Pe...

Alfred, the cyclone that was. Did we suffer from information overload? The war of words continues between Teresa Harding and Andrew Antoniolli, fire ants love a good flood, dog rego increase flagged as is a possible move for the Visitor Information Centre. All this and more with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac as we catch up for another yarn over the back fence. Published: 17 March 2025. Theme mu...

Cyclone Alfred gives Ipswich residents a scare as life returns to normal for most, however please spare a thought for those still dealing with the trauma of being flooded. Council flood mapping the best to date, radio maintains its relevance and superiority during an extended weather emergency and fire ants hitch a ride on floodwaters. Published: 12 March 2025. Image: Hancock Bridge prior to reope...

Councillors on their best behaviour with state government officials in the public gallery, media policy review taken behind closed doors, mayor back from Nerima, Singapore and Europe, and lots of talk about suburb entry signs after an underwhelming new Wulkuraka sign surprises everyone. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the February meeting of Ipswich City Council. Recorded: 28 February 20...

Ipswich's population reaches 260,000, now there are six candidates for Blair, Discover Ipswich what’s on makeover, bulk rubbish collection chalks up 12,000, South Street demolitions gather pace and a new First Nations midwifery program at Ipswich Hospital. Published: 27 February 2025. Image: Jaghu Midwifery Group Practice midwives Bethany Salter, Casey Morgan and Clare Crawford (supplied) Theme mu...

Another surprise from Ash’s radio past, candidates are lining up for the seat of Blair, mayor back from Nerima visit, Cr Andrew Antoniolli declares low morale, former council buildings make way for new hospital car park, odour inquiry expands areas of interest and a call for local artists to create major works of public art. Time for another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashlei...

A new year and a new president for Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce. Long-term president Phillip Bell announced he was stepping down earlier this month. In this episode meet new president David Wiltshire. Published: 14 February 2025. Image: New chamber president David Wiltshire (left) receives a welcome from Phillip Bell (supplied) Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt Steiner Ipswich R...

If it has been a while since you last visited the Old Flour Mill in Brisbane Street then it might be the right time to rediscover hidden treasures in the arcade downstairs. In this episode you’ll meet two entrepreneurs who have taken the plunge to open businesses in this historic top of town building. They are diverse and interesting. You’ll hear what drives their passion and about the unique item...

The Invasive Species Council was formed in 2002 over shared concerns that the Australian landscape was being radically altered by the invasion of weed and pest species, and this includes fire ants. Conspiracy theories have emerged recently which could derail the fire ant treatment program. Advocacy manager Reece Pianta joins the show. Published: 7 February 2025. Image: Invasive Species Council adv...

Dust-up over council’s media policy comes to naught but only for now, destination Nerima, Singapore and Europe for the mayor who is still the mayor while travelling overseas regardless of a resolution at December’s meeting. Also in this episode, the pre-Christmas industrial action by waste drivers and calls for critical transport infrastructure and not white elephants. Mayor Teresa Harding joins t...

Late change of date for January’s Ipswich City Council meeting, we remember former alderman (councillor) Norm Kruger, the battle is on for the federal seat of Blair, health inquiry good to go, garbos strike gold, Colleges Crossing passes first flood test but where’s the food trucks, and we reminisce about the first song we requested on the radio. Time for another yarn over the back fence with Walt...

A new year and a new theme for Ipswich Today. First up in 2025 a look at some local news you may have missed including new traffic signals in Springfield Central and Karrabin, Redbank Plains Road stage 3 completed, multi-million-dollar upgrade to Cameron Park, two Ipswich churches tackle disadvantage and Ipswich Showgrounds presents Bull-O-Rama. Published: 9 January 2025. Theme music: AudioJungle...

Colleges Crossing reopens just in time for Christmas holidays, wheelie bins stranded by industrial action, more pushback on new residential developments, council meetings; the gift that keeps on giving, Christmas in Ipswich and we reminisce to wrap up the year. Time for another yarn over the back fence with Ashleigh Mac and Walter Williams. Recorded: 16 December 2024. Published: 17 December 2024....

The final council meeting of the year wasn’t without a few complications as the mayor packs her bags to join a Council of Mayors (SEQ) delegation to Singapore and Europe via Japan next year. Public participation revealed hostilities between two Ipswich rugby league clubs and a major project approved for Ripley Road. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the December (2024) meeting of Ipswich C...

It’s been another big year for Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce, including membership growth, Business After Five (BA5) events and the annual Business Excellence Awards. Chamber president Phillip Bell joins the show with the year in review, business challenges and sentiment, and what’s ahead in 2025. Published: 4 December 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Chamber president Phillip...

Petition calls for new dog park in Goodna, your ideas wanted on what to do with flood buy-back land, the big three entertainment venues now open in Nicholas Street precinct and council rolls out the red carpet to encourage 4 and 5 star hotel developments. Teresa Harding joins the show following the November meeting of Ipswich City Council and rules out running for the federal seat of Blair. Publis...

Very sad music industry news earlier this week with the passing of the original drummer for the Bee Gees Colin Petersen on November 18, 2024. I spoke with Colin in October 2022 before a Best of the Bee Gees show at Ipswich Civic Centre. The boy born in Kingaroy was generous with his time and loved a chat. This episode features most of that interview with Colin. May he rest in peace. Published: 22...