Ipswich Today

Former Courier Mail editor Michael Crutcher is a keen observer of local politics. He is also founder and CEO of 55 comms. In this special third anniversary episode you will get to know Michael as he shares his childhood link to Ipswich, views on perceptions of Ipswich, the Office of Independent Assessor and the changing face of newspaper newsrooms. We also talk about his own podcast called Sourced...

Proposed childcare centre at Deebing Heights evokes emotional discussion with any decision again delayed, meeting becomes farcical over who should be quoted in media releases and 12 months on from the floods. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show following the February 23 meeting of Ipswich City Council. Recorded: 23 February 2023. Published: 24 February 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: 1 N...

You are never too old to take on something new like stand-up comedy, we talk tunes in Tulmur Place and live music in Ipswich, how well do you know your local councillors and reminiscing about the era of the backyard dunny. Get ready for another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. Published: 22 February 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Tunes in Tulmur Place: https://bi...

Self-flying air taxis are set to launch in southeast Queensland in time for the 2032 Olympics. Would you take a flying taxi without a pilot? On today’s show you’ll hear from the University of Southern Queensland’s aviation expert Chris Smith who explains the prospect is very real and not something that remains confined to science fiction or cartoons. Published: 20 February 2023. Music: www.purple-...

Ipswich councillor Nicole Jonic reveals when the decision was made to run for council in 2020 and why. In this episode you’ll also hear first-hand about the years before council and who inspired Nicole on her career path, what it was like to be a new councillor in Ipswich, the Office of Independent Assessor and its role, council’s media policy and we discuss those anonymous threats over historical...

February is heart awareness month, First Nations heath equity consultation, your help needed for Clean Up Australia day in March, Ipswich Hospital Foundation to mark 25 years, Ipswich Libraries top of the list for number of visitors and Augusta Parkway now seen in a new light. Published: 16 February 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich Children's Library, Nicholas Street (supplied) Ip...

A Riverview man who lost his voice due to cancer has it restored by Ipswich Hospital, school-based trainee completing Cert III in health, Ipswich’s population nudging 245,500, the fire ant fight continues and Ipswich Central building owners urged to convert above shop space into residential accommodation. Published: 8 February 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Alekk Mathieson is working on...

Low-income families under extreme pressure trying to find an affordable place to live, a fresh look at what to do with the old transit centre, is future development at Deebing Creek at an impasse, new schools open and no sign of an immediate solution to Ipswich Central’s bridge traffic jam. Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard joins the show. Published: 1 February 2023. Updated: 2 February 2023. Music: www....

Ipswich Citizen of the Year Donna Cavanagh describes the moment hearing her name announced at this year’s awards. In this episode Donna reveals what influences and events shaped the woman she is today and explains the incredible daily commitment to help those doing it tough in our local community. This includes the pressures brought on by the current cost of living and punishingly low vacancy rate...

Why River Heart Parklands stage one is still closed nearly 12 months on from the floods, petition for a new playground, missed wheelie bins on collection days a concern, Economic Development Strategy almost three years in the making but what, if anything, is happening now to bring new business and industry to the city. Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding joins the show. Recorded: 19 January 2023. Publish...

Major city parkland attraction still closed since being damaged by last year’s floods, one flood buy-back story, shops opening and reopening in an area prone to flooding and what does the future hold for Ipswich Civic Centre. A new year yarn with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac where we also share Christmas holiday adventures which includes some timely health advice. Published: 16 January 2023. M...

Former Ipswich City Council administrator Greg Chemello resigns from Moreton Bay Regional Council, more progress in Nicholas Street and a preview of January’s Ipswich council meeting including decision making powers of the Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee and a vote on a private operator to run George Alder Tennis Centre at Leichhardt. Published: 14 January 2023. Updated: 16 January 2023...

Finalists announced for Ipswich Citizen of the Year along with supporting categories, ten community groups score funding from Ipswich City Council and registrations open for the Ipswich 100 charity bike ride. Published: 10 January 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: A previous Ipswich 100 charity bike ride (supplied) Annual awards finalists: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media...

Will the Sea World chopper tragedy affect the future of tourism aviation? Retired Ipswich helicopter pilot Captain Mike Jarvis has many years of first-hand experience in tourism. He gives his take on what the future might look like and explains the view from the pilot’s seat. Published: 5 January 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Captain Mike Jarvis (supplied) About Mike: https://www.linke...

Fireworks welcome the new year at four locations across Ipswich (watch Limestone Park fireworks here https://fb.watch/hPrJo-1-_m/), major road project swings into high gear, free parking in Ipswich Central for a limited time, health advice to keep your pool germ-free and will Ipswich finally get the performing arts centre it deserves? Published: 3 January 2023. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image:...

Ipswich City Council extends post-flood rates concession, Ipswich Arts Awards return in 2023, First Nations cadet swaps finance for nursing, new economic development strategy light on detail, another corporate donation to Ipswich Hospital Foundation's Children's Christmas Appeal and the Bremer River receives 18,000 Mary River cod. Published: 16 December 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ip...

Expert advice from the University of Southern Queensland's finance guru Associate Professor Peter Phillips on how to avoid overspending this Christmas including tips on reducing stress and expectations of family. Also in this episode Ipswich Christmas lights winners and how to shape your Ipswich of the future. Published: 12 December 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Pexels from Pixabay Ips...

The last Ipswich council meeting of the year finally settles the Swifts saga, more emphasis on customer service, Queensland Audit Office reports don’t come cheap, delayed Karalee childcare centre gets the green light with changes, a review of 2022 floods and the best street announced in the Ipswich Christmas lights competition. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show. Published: 9 December 2022. Music...

Ipswich business confidence remains high nearly three years into Covid with 75 per cent of local firms optimistic for the year ahead. In this Ipswich Today exclusive you’ll hear highlights from Top Office Group’s annual survey of business sentiment across the city and region. Director Jan Gadsden reveals key information for every business owner or manager. Published: 6 December 2022. Music: www.pu...

First settlements under Resilient Homes Fund flood buy-back scheme, more flood monitoring cameras in Ipswich now online, a new green street art competition, celestial showtime with best show for keen sky watchers, new Ipswich Hospital pedestrian bridge lifted into place and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Published 4 December 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: University of Sou...

A council committee defers a recommendation on the potential sale of council property to Swifts to the December ordinary meeting of Ipswich City Council after being presented to the wrong committee this week. This long-running controversial saga is yet to have its conclusion. Published: 30 November 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Swifts Sports Club (Google) Ipswich Planning Scheme: bit.l...

A condolence motion for a much-loved Rosewood identity, a red seat to raise awareness of domestic violence, a committee with no reports, Ipswich Central latest, an update on flood buy-backs, council asking for feedback on what you want in a repaired Colleges Crossing and councillors seek divine intervention. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show following the November meeting of Ipswich City Council...

Another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac, this month with a special guest, local stand-up comedian Darren Hallesy. Also on the show what’s happening with Motoland at Tivoli Raceway, will the new Springfield Central AFL stadium pass its first test, flood buy-backs, population growth and when did Christmas lights become a thing? Published: 21 November 2022. Music: www.p...

Soft plastics head for landfill as the REDcycle scheme is halted. This revelation is the latest development in Australia’s 74-million-tonne garbage problem. So why is getting recycling right so difficult? In this special episode you’ll hear from the University of Southern Queensland’s Professor Polly Burey, an expert on recycling who is also co-project lead on the No Waste program. Published: 18 N...

During the November meeting of the Growth Infrastructure and Waste committee councillors heard about shortcomings around protecting heritage buildings and Indigenous cultural sensitivities connected to proposed development at Deebing Heights. Also in this episode details on how to enter Ipswich City Council’s annual Christmas lights competition. Published: 16 November 2022. Music: www.purple-plane...