Ipswich Today

After more than seven years of waiting Ipswich City Council announced a new operator of the Commonwealth Hotel at an extraordinary (or special) meeting on Thursday 10 March 2022. This meeting followed the regular round of committee meetings. In a statement issued later mayor Teresa Harding said the hotel would act as an anchor tenant for the Nicholas Street Precinct. Ipswich Central Redevelopment...

The massive flood clean-up continues with support available for flood-affected residents and businesses coming from all levels of government, Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ). Ipswich chamber president Phillip Bell joins the show to discuss the floods, clean-up and where to from here and a warning from West Moreton Health about serious dise...

It has been quite the week wondering if that rain would ever give us a break. Now floodwaters are finally receding, a quick summary of the clean-up and help available. Published: 4 March 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Screenshot of Ipswich City Council flood recovery page (supplied) Ipswich City Council flood recovery: Ipswich.qld.gov.au/floodrecovery Queensland Government hardship assi...

Ipswich City Council's Growth Infrastructure and Waste Committee’s decision-making powers, major tender approved to improve traffic flow around Springfield Central, Ipswich Integrated Catchment Plan recommendations and eight notice of motions at council's February 24 meeting. Also in this episode you’ll hear the wash-up from the Motoland public forum with mayor Teresa Harding. Published: 25 Februa...

West Moreton Health boost for vaccinations, Bundamba station next in line for a major upgrade, council to host a forum to facilitate a meeting between Motoland and Chuwar residents, memorabilia funds going to a good cause with funding applications open for eligible organisations, and kerbside collection is in full swing, but don’t put your rubbish out before it is your suburb's turn. Published: 18...

From the first round of committee meetings in 2022 - NuGrow recommended to provide organic waste services, Ipswich City Council inches closer to securing and naming the CBD cinema and Commonwealth Hotel operators and Translink bus services in the spotlight. Published: 11 February 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: View from Ipswich CBD towards White Rock (supplied) Council meeting agendas a...

Kerbside collection gets residents motivated to throw out rubbish, Ipswich CBD vaccination clinic open for booster shots and walk-ins, and 87 nursing and midwifery graduates, including two First Nations women, begin placements. Also in this episode small business grants up for grabs, Ipswich’s population breaks through 240,000, an upgrade planned for Ripley Road at Ripley township and the Wanless...

With the 2022 Australian Open done and dusted, a timely and fascinating insight into one of Ash Barty’s support team, mindset coach Ben Crowe, and Ipswich City Council is now asking for your ideas on how best to honour Ipswich-born Ash Barty. Published: 31 January 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ash Barty pictured in 2012 after being presented with an Australia Day Sports Award by Ipswic...

Ipswich City Council’s first meeting of the year on January 27 heard, among other items, about noise and dust issues in Chuwar, new matters of public interest, the on-going saga about the water temperature in Georgie Conway pool at Leichhardt, no decision on a new media policy and the surprising amount of money council spends on Facebook advertising finally revealed. Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding j...

Over The Back Fence: It is a new year and another round of monthly yarns with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. On the show we discuss council considering changing speed limits in Ipswich CBD, the council-owned Commonwealth Hotel $5.5 million extension, kerbside collection is back, Citizen of the Year finalists, Ipswich Civic Centre roars back to life after the Christmas break and more in this epi...

The show is back for 2022 with a hangover or two for Ipswich City Council to deal with including the on-going battle over landfills, the rejection of a new childcare centre development application, renaming a bridge and a road, and the proposed sale of Swifts – just to name four issues still on the boil. It’s going to be another roller coaster ride for councillors as they are about begin their thi...

Ipswich City Council’s final meeting of the year on December 9 wasn’t without its tense moments including the rejection of officers’ recommendations for a new childcare centre. A mayoral minute to rename Paul Pisasale Bridge and Pisasale Drive and $20m for Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial improvements. Published: 9 December 2021. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich ma...

A glimmer of hope for the naming of new Ipswich CBD tenants and a cinema operator with confirmation expected by the end of this year. Leichhardt pool temperature decision delayed after a report tabled this month, prompted by a resident who addressed a council meeting in August and still no final decision on additional offices for councillors. Stream now for highlights from the Ipswich Central Rede...

Who would have thought the pandemic would contribute to the current boom in property prices across Australia. What is the situation in Ipswich? To take the pulse of Ipswich property prices I’m joined by a panel of experts. Neil Coupland is the principal of First National Real Estate in Springfield Central and has been selling property for more than 35 years. Neil is also Greater Springfield Chambe...

In a first for Ipswich Today three local state MPs who represent the major population centres of the Springfield area, Ripley Valley, Ipswich Central and the city's eastern suburbs join the show. We catch-up on the year that was and what might be on the horizon in 2022. You'll hear from Jennifer Howard, Charis Mullen and Lance McCallum. We discuss how the role of a local member has changed with Co...

Over The Back Fence: Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join Ipswich Today for our regular monthly catch-up. This month how is it possible that businesses can be locked out of their own shops without notice (Cr Marnie Doyle explains), Ipswich council CEO makes history, the city’s population boom shows no sign of easing anytime soon, are E-scooters right for Ipswich, Christmas lights and more. Publis...

Ipswich City Council finally settles on a new CEO, what to do about the increasing amount of waste generated by a growing population, hear about a TLPI and why Ipswich needs at least one, more love on the way for Redbank Plains Road and a national park proposed for Ipswich. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show with highlights from the 18 November 2021 ordinary meeting of council. Published: 19 Nove...

Andrew Korner was born in Ipswich and joins the show for the 150th episode to talk about growing up in Ipswich, his pathway to journalism, local characters, mentors, local politicians and working at the Queensland Times during what was arguably the most turbulent period in the history of the paper. Published: 17 November 2021. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Andrew Korner at the Queensland Tim...

In this Ipswich Today exclusive Top Office Group's Jan Gadsden joins the show with results of Executive Outlook 2021. In its thirteenth year Executive Outlook is a survey of local businesses with a uniquely Ipswich and western corridor perspective. In 2021 it reveals business confidence is heading in the right direction, house prices continue to surge, cybersecurity challenges for all businesses,...

From November's Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee: The option to sell Ipswich City Council property to Swifts returns to the council agenda, an e-scooter trial proposed for Ipswich based around Springfield Central and fairy lights set for Augusta Parkway. Published: 6 November 2021. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Swifts Leagues Club indicative lease plans (supplied) Council meeting a...

Ipswich council inched closer to appointing a new CEO following a special meeting of council held 2 November 2021. Hear the arduous process to get to this stage and what's next before a successful candidate is known. The position of Ipswich City Council CEO attracted a strong field of 84 applicants in addition to those approached to consider applying. This contract position pays handsomely in the...

Over The Back Fence: Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join the show for another chat about all things Ipswich. We discuss the state government councillor watchdog – the Office of Independent Assessor, the CCC, council’s new planning review panel including a proposed child care centre at Karalee, doggy-do, Australia Day awards, Ipswich First and local media. Recorded: 25 October 2021. Published: 26...

Is the Office of Independent Assessor working in the best interests of democracy, why do councillors need to take a company directors course, a new tenant confirmed for Ipswich CBD redevelopment, Independent Decision Review Panel in the spotlight and is council’s own branding on the right track? These issues and more with mayor Teresa Harding who joins the show following the October meeting of Ips...

Covid vaccinations available almost everywhere, Ipswich City Council claims cutting red tape is working for local businesses, help needed to count birds, flying foxes force changes at Queens Park and Karalee Tornadoes home ground to score major upgrade. Published: 14 October 2021. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: supplied Queensland Health Covid info and bookings: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/...

From the October round of Ipswich City Council committee meetings it must feel like Groundhog Day for the Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee, councillors splash cash for a company directors course, an overhaul of policies relating to council staff and council delays appointing a new CEO after a special meeting scheduled for councillors was cancelled at the 11th hour. All committee recommendat...