Ipswich Today

Council meeting chaos as Ipswich councillors reject a renewed bid from mayor to chair local disaster management group, Warrego Highway pain continues at Bremer River, what’s new in Nicholas Street, another cracker Ipswich Show, Festival of Horsepower coming in June and we reminisce about Cribb and Foote. All that and more with Ashleigh Mac and Walter Williams as we get together for another yarn ov...

Can the sound of the ukulele really ease a hangover? In this episode a break from local news and politics to catch up with Jeni from the Royal Mail Ukulele Group. You’ll also hear one of their songs as performed live on the Community Stage at this year’s Ipswich Show. Published: 20 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Royal Mail Ukulele Group merch (supplied) Royal Mail Hotel Goodna...

Ipswich City Council responds to Queensland Government homeless review, major earthworks begin at Colleges Crossing, have your say in annual survey of library services and get ready for an expanded Festival of Horsepower. Published: 16 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Earthworks at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve (supplied) Library survey: Shapeyouripswich.com.au/libraries-...

May is small business month, a new fish highway coming to Six Mile Creek, flexispaces target disengaged students in three Ipswich schools and a University of Southern Queensland study reveals the impact of bad parenting on the mental health of children. Published: 9 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: A local fishway in Woogaroo Creek pictured in 2022 (supplied) Front door program:...

May is showtime in Ipswich. Show president Darren Zanow joins this episode with a rundown of what we can expect this year including a special appearance from Bluey and Bingo in the Bluey Live Interactive Experience, the city’s population now estimated at 254,000 and a new Sounds of Ipswich to keep you guessing. Published: 3 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Bluey and Bingo appear...

A free safe online program to help young people aged seven to 17 with mental health issues has been released and is backed by six universities. It’s a self-help online platform available now. Project lead is Professor Sonja March from the University of Southern Queensland . Also in this episode can you guess the sounds of Ipswich? Published: 29 April 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image:...

After a hectic few weeks with the council election and Ipswich West by-election your humble host had a week off. Now back in the studio I reminisce about ANZAC Day when at school, speculate on what’s ahead in the Ipswich City Council chamber, pop in some local news and talk about a new feature coming soon to the podcast called Sounds of Ipswich. Published: 26 April 2024. Theme music: www.purple-pl...

In this local news episode: ANZAC Day in Ipswich, new Ipswich Art Workshop looking for your ideas, West Moreton Health recognised for their innovative hepatitis C testing and treatment program, and a reminder to get your flu vax before winter sets in.  Published: 19 April 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: West Moreton Health Alcohol and Other Drug Service clinical nurse Lisa Ball (su...

We pause to offer condolences to families of Sydney stabbing victims, the extraordinary events at the post-election Ipswich council meeting, farewell Bell Street pedestrian bridge, more laughs with Stitch in the Swich and we reminisce about the opening of Ipswich Art Gallery. Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join the show for our regular yarn over the back fence. Published: 15 April 2024. Theme mu...

Ipswich councillors split over who should be deputy mayor and every other major decision at the post-election meeting held April 11. This included division over selecting members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and Local Government Association of Queensland policy representative, meanwhile second term councillor Jacob Madsen was nowhere to be seen. Published: 11 April 2024. Theme music:...

New faces in the chamber for Ipswich City Council’s post-election meeting, Australia’s single biggest defence export to be built at Redbank, Prison Health Service staff benefit from new correctional centre and researchers at the University of Southern Queensland challenge young people stereotypes. Published: 9 April 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: UniSQ School of Humanities and Com...

As the dust settles after the Ipswich council election jockeying for the deputy mayor spot is well underway. The first meeting of council on April 11 will also decide on standing committees and deal with any urgent business held during caretaker. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show and will also answer why council officers approved a controversial development in Springfield during caretaker period...

Ipswich mayor and councillor positions declared by ECQ, work to resume on the current Redbank Plains Road upgrade, IHF community donors support West Moreton Health and extra money for sports facilities in Ripley Valley and Blackstone. Published: 28 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Stalled works on Redbank Plains Road (supplied) Local government elections: https://www.ecq.qld.g...

In an era of constant change in technology and radio station ownership will local radio survive in the future? In this special episode two guests explore the past and try to predict the future. David Greenwood and Dr Ashley Jones are media experts and both have a strong connection to Ipswich and its original radio station 4IP. The show features 4IP jingles from the 60s and 70s and a Color Radio ne...

Four new councillors on the cards for Ipswich City Council and a new LNP member for Ipswich West. After a big weekend of voting there’s going to be a few changes. Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join the show for our regular yarn over the back fence. Recorded: 19 March 2024. Published: 20 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Local government elections: https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/electio...

Ipswich votes for more change with four new councillors likely to be declared as counting continues this week. Meanwhile Teresa Harding retains the top job as mayor. A massive swing puts the LNP's Darren Zanow as the new member for Ipswich West and the ECQ under heavy criticism for the way this election was run. Former councillor Cheryl Bromage joins the show again to unpack the results. Recorded:...

As campaigning for Ipswich City Council and Ipswich West enters its final hours former Ipswich councillor Cheryl Bromage joins the show one more time before election day with further analysis and insights. We chat about how candidates are feeling with two days to go, early voting numbers and the ugly side of elections. Recorded: 13 March 2024. Published: 14 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-plan...

First time councillor Andrew Fechner is aiming for a second term in Ipswich City Council Division 3 and is being challenged by two Greens candidates. In this episode his reaction, significant achievements, other key issues facing the city and why he is running again. Published: 11 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich Division 3 councillor Andrew Fechner (supplied) Local go...

Jacob Madsen is aiming for a second term in Ipswich City Council Division 1. At times during the last four years the council chamber was hit by turbulence and witnessed emotional scenes. He describes his first term and outlines goals in council should he be re-elected. Published: 8 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich Division 1 councillor Jacob Madsen (supplied) Local gov...

Steven Purcell and Helen Youngberry from Goodna Street Life are running as a team for Ipswich City Council Division 2. In this episode Steven Purcell joins the show to talk about homelessness, flood disasters and his other key platforms including planning and development. Published: 7 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Division 2 candidate Steven Purcell (Facebook) Local governm...

Brenda Ryan began a life-long love of music and the performing arts in childhood. Brenda takes us on a vivid journey of her life in Ipswich and is still actively contributing to the cultural fabric of the city through Ipswich Musical Theatre Company. In this episode we also talk about stalled plans for a new Ipswich Performing Arts Centre. Published: 4 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.co...

Family and friends celebrated the life and love of Tom Edwards at a moving and heartfelt service on February 23. In this episode with permission from Gary Edwards you’ll hear his moving tribute to his father. Also on the show for the last time in this term of council mayor Teresa Harding with highlights from the final meeting of Ipswich City Council before the election. Published: 2 March 2024. Th...

LNP candidate for the Ipswich West by-election Darren Zanow on why a sudden change of career direction and some of the key local issues which may decide the result. Published: 1 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: LNP candidate for Ipswich West by-election Darren Zanow (supplied) Local government elections: https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/election-events/2024-local-governmen...

The Ipswich City Council election and Ipswich West by-election campaigns are reaching fever pitch as we approach the final two weeks before election day on March 16. Former Ipswich councillor Cheryl Bromage joins the show with further analysis and insights. Recorded: 28 February 2024. Published: 29 February 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Former Ipswich councillor Cheryl Bromage (s...

Independent candidate for Ipswich City Council Division 3 David Box is running again after being unsuccessful in 2020. In this episode he details his approach to connecting with residents, formulating policy and why he wants your vote. Recorded: 24 February 2024. Published: 26 February 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Division 3 candidate David Box (supplied) Local government electi...