Ipswich Today

Ipswich Chamber of Commerce president Phillip Bell recaps the annual Ipswich Business Excellence Awards, reviews 2022 and looks ahead to 2023 including business confidence, the impact of rising interest rates, population growth, computer hacking and business as usual with Covid. Also on the show Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce held its annual Marquee Business Awards at a gala dinner last m...

Leonard Cohen's most famous song is Hallelujah. In the Spirit of Leonard Cohen show, Jonathan Anstock brings to life the musical soul of Cohen through poetry and song in a deep and timeless performance. Jonathon will be on stage at Ipswich Civic Centre November 26 and joins this episode of Ipswich Today. Also on the show winners announced at the 2022 Ipswich Sports Awards. Published: 9 November 20...

Plans released by West Moreton Health to deal with population pressures on health services in the region over the next 10 years also reveal many serious challenges ahead, Vietnam vets get together at Amberley, a new fleet of high-tech Ipswich City Council waste collection trucks begin to hit the road and more Investing in Queensland Women Grants announced by the Queensland Government. Published: 4...

Ninety years of jacaranda trees in Goodna celebrated with a new plaque, Transport and Main Roads service centre at Bundamba opens soon, Ipswich Hospital’s new cardiac catheter lab now open, new council flood cameras go online, food organics garden organics latest and flood-affected residents reminded to register with the Resilient Homes Fund. Published: 31 October 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.co...

A forensic audit of defunct council companies gets the thumbs down from councillors, proposed childcare centre at Deebing Heights not approved, a review of decision-making powers of a key committee, flood buy-backs latest, new rural waste transfer site rejected. a mid-term review of council division boundaries and better education needed on the use of sandbags. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show...

Fireworks possible at this week’s meeting of Ipswich City Council, heavy rain brings on sandbag fever, Keys to the City for Ipswich State High School, two new state primary schools open in Ipswich next year, University of Southern Queensland 2022 Alumni of the Year Awards and Covid rules remain for West Moreton Health. Published: 24 October 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich State H...

Another monthly yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. It's time to go pink with Ipswich Hospital Foundation, councillor watchdog overreach, floods, flood buy-backs and we say a sad goodbye to Colleges By The River. Also in this episode of Ipswich Today we talk air shows and reminisce about the first fast food store in Ipswich. All this and more in a special jacaranda edit...

Queensland’s own international child movie star in the 1950s can also claim he played drums on the tarmac at the old Brisbane airport, played drums in a jazz band, then in the 60s he joined the Bee Gees. Colin Petersen became a lifelong friend of Maurice Gibb. Now aged in his 70s his life story is still being written and he has returned to the stage, but not exactly in the role you would expect. C...

West Moreton Health warning to stay clear of flying foxes, 2022 sports awards finalists announced by Ipswich City Council, 80,000 cemetery records to go digital, sustainable inspiration during Sustainable Ipswich month and RAAF Amberley F/A-18F Hornets get in last-minute practice before the Ipswich Amberley Air Tattoo. Published: 6 October 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Cr Andrew Fechne...

Ipswich is leading the way with flood buy-backs under the Australian and Queensland government Resilient Homes Fund, new urban greening plan acknowledges climate change, $30 million bill for flood repairs, Ipswich Planning Scheme in the spotlight and Ipswich State High School to receive Keys to the City. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show following the September 29 meeting of Ipswich City Council...

Cracks in heritage provisions within Ipswich City Council’s ageing planning scheme exposed as council approves a new fast-food outlet in Goodna, building better blocks and place-making explained and the latest update on new tenants for council-owned properties in the Nicholas Street precinct. Published: 23 September 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: 16 Queen Street Goodna (Google) Council...

Another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. This month we discuss Park(ing) Day, council’s flood review, 30 years of Springfield, the Galvanized Festival, local legend Peter McMahon (featured in Local Ipswich News), and we reminisce about road trips in the 60s and 70s. All this and more in episode 206 of Ipswich Today and the eighteenth time three former radio colleague...

Ipswich councillors remain divided over the future of council’s media policy first introduced under Administration. The policy has since been through the wringer with some councillors clearly trying to limit the amount of publicity afforded the mayor while boosting their own stocks in the media. In this episode I take you behind the scenes of media policies and procedures at Ipswich City Council s...

Following a short break Ipswich Today returns with a summary of what’s happening locally including West Moreton Health Covid team stood down, UniSQ launches a First Nations Blueprint, critical flood gauges replaced, community funding on offer, the Swifts sale saga slowly inches towards a conclusion, Commonwealth Hotel latest and get ready to party at CMC Rocks. Published: 13 September 2022. Music:...

The story behind a petition from Brisbane residents to Ipswich council, Brisbane Lions want more cash for Springfield Central Stadium, new fees to use Tulmur Place and CBD new shops latest. These items and more from Ipswich council’s August 25 ordinary meeting. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show for our regular catch-up. Published: 26 August 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Mayor Teresa...

There's plenty to celebrate during the Galvanized Festival in September, source of stink finally revealed so we ask how to stop it happening again, still more to share after the floods earlier this year, can you teach an old swooping bird new tricks and we reminisce about Ipswich City Square. All this and more during another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. Published...

After some three years Ipswich City Council finally reveals the new CBD cinema operator, Leichhardt pool temperature saga at an end with 32 the magic number, but at what cost? Also in this local news episode get ready for the Galvanized Festival in its second year, hazard reduction burns in council-owned conservation areas and Redbank Plains Road set for its long-awaited next upgrade. Published: 1...

To mark the 200th episode two people making their own contribution, past and present, to the local community and the world. First, Martin Corkery owns an Ipswich-based business and has been on a personal humanitarian mission to Ukraine. Martin reveals first-hand what he witnessed. Also on the show remembering a different pace of life in Ipswich during the 1950s and 1960s through the eyes of 94 yea...

Ipswich councillors voice optimism going forward after the chaos of recent weeks with Crs Doyle and Harding placing their comments on the record at the July 28 council meeting. In other local news nominations are open for the annual Ipswich Sports Awards, Ipswich Central’s living art gallery and a local doctor issues a serious health warning over vaping. Published: 31 July 2022. Music: www.purple-...

Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding joins the show to talk about recently revealed travel expenses from 2010 and 2012, Ipswich councillors on their best behaviour at the July 28 meeting, changes to guidelines for community funding, Queensland Audit Office finds four new deficiencies at council, motions for the annual local government conference and Ipswich remembers Box Flat. Published: 28 July 2022. Mus...

Talking everything Ipswich with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac in our regular chat over the back fence. We’re keeping it mostly positive this month after a series of massive backflips in the council chamber. We talk mid-winter fun in Ipswich, face masks, new businesses, stealth bombers, CMC Rocks, Park2Park and a look back at the old Wintergarden Theatre in East Street. Recorded: 18 July 2022 Pu...

On the morning of 31 July 1972 news broke about a massive explosion at Box Flat mine at Swanbank. John Knox was preparing to start his day reporting the daily news at radio station 4IP. He went directly to Box Flat and was among the first to report from the disaster site. Hugh Taylor was working at Rhondda Collieries and remembers the events of that fateful day. Hugh is also current president of I...

Ipswich councillors draw a line in the sand. The Pisasale name issue appears to be finally resolved after a special meeting of Ipswich City Council on July 12. It wasn't without some further angst over who said what during the local government election campaign. Published: 12 July 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Pisasale Drive Yamanto (Google) Council meeting agendas and minutes: bit.ly/...

Stakes are getting higher as councillors face-off across the chamber at the first of two special meetings over Pisasale naming. Also on the show meet Indigenous artist Sally Harrison who through art has been able to connect with her identity and love of the land. You can view Sally's work in Spirit of Place - Here, There and Everywhere at Ipswich Art Gallery until August 21. Published: 8 July 2022...

Have some Ipswich councillors lost confidence in council staff? Deputy mayor Jacob Madsen votes against adopting the city’s annual budget, Nicole Jonic questions accuracy of information from council officers while Paul Tully raises the urgent need for traffic lights in Division 2. Also in this episode a double backflip on the Pisasale naming fiasco with two special meetings called by rival council...