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First Traffic Switch For Springfield Greenbank Arterial Widening Project

The road widening project for Springfield Greenbank Arterial has reached a significant milestone, with motorists able to drive on the additional lanes for the first time in January 2023.

Read: $10-Million Kerb and Channel Program for Ipswich Suburbs to Go Ahead for 3 Years

Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that starting 23 January 2023, vehicles travelling along Springfield Greenbank Arterial, from Eden Station Drive towards Springfield Parkway, will be switched over to the new road alignment.

From having only two lanes, the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial are being expanded to four lanes, to assist in supporting efficient transport for Springfield and the city’s eastern corridor’s growing population.

Mayor Harding reminded that the traffic switch will result in a temporary closure of the intersection of Escarpment Drive at Springfield Greenbank Arterial for approximately four months.

“Access into Escarpment Drive estate for all road users will be via Springfield Parkway, and there will be staged switching of pedestrian and shared pathways over the coming months,” Mayor Harding said.

Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson and Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said there will be further closures on these entrances and exits throughout the year.

“Traffic switches will also occur next month along Springfield Parkway from Springfield Lakes Boulevard towards the Springfield Parkway roundabout, and from the roundabout to past Hymba Yumba Independent School,” Cr Tully said.

Cr Tully added that as part of Stage 1 of the project, the first traffic switch will allow more efficient refurbishment of existing traffic lanes and shared pathways along the arterial and the driveways of Hymba Yumba.

The Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial roundabout will also be upgraded to a signalised intersection. The traffic signals will accommodate pedestrian movements and include a u-turn facility.

Read: Springfield Lakes Property Market Carry On With its Fast-Paced Growth

To learn more about the project, visit Council’s Civic Projects Map or call (07) 3810 6666.

New Building With Childcare Centre, Commercial Spaces Proposed For Brisbane Street Ipswich

Plans for a four-storey building have been submitted for Brisbane Street, Ipswich to accommodate a new childcare centre along with several commercial establishments.

Read: New Primary School Officially Named Ripley Central State School

The highlight of the mixed-use building, to be located at 7 Milford Street and 3-5 Limestone Street and 2 Brisbane Street, Ipswich is the childcare centre with spaces for 100 children.

The 797 sqm childcare centre will feature an outdoor play area and will be located on the ground floor, in conjunction with the cafe/lobby component to create activation of the street.

“This building has a commercial role to play, and it has been designed with a practical eye that also utilises the design principles of scale, context, presence, articulation, rhythm, order, and consideration of the sub-tropical design ethos that defines Southeast Queensland architecture. It creates a building that suitably reinforces its landmark contex,” designers at Sparc Architects said.

The rest of the 2,997 sqm property will be used for business purposes or as commercial offices. A medical centre and educational establishment uses have been added to the proposal to allow for flexible uses within Levels 1 and 2 in the future.

The two driveway locations along Limestone and Milford Street will be kept as part of the development. The site itself is currently vacant and does not contain any buildings or structures.

The applicant is also seeking to establish an undercroft car parking that can accommodate 63 cars, three motor bikes and five bicycles. Access to the building will be via Limestone and Milfors Streets.

Read: New Woogaroo Creek State School to Open Next Year

For more details about the development application, see the City of Ipswich application enquiry with the application number 7576/2022/MCU.

Woogaroo Creek State School in Augustine Heights Ready for Term 1 2023

Photo credit: Facebook / Woogaroo Creek State School

Woogaroo Creek State School is accepting students for Prep to Year 6 beginning Term 1 2023. The new school is located in Augustine Heights, one of four state schools to open in Queensland in 2023.

The $85-million Augustine Heights school started construction in March 2022 with Stage 1 ready to accept 600 Prep to Year 6 students beginning 2023 and will further expand to 1,000 once Stage 2 is completed.

The opening of the new school is expected to provide enrolment relief to nearby schools Fernbrooke State School, Augusta State School, and Redbank Plains State School.

Woogaroo Creek State School in Augustine Height All Set to Open for Term 1 2023 — *Woogaroo_Creek_State_School* catchment | Photo credit: Queensland Government / qgso.qld.gov.au

Woogaroo Creek State School includes an administration block, student support and staff building, an information and resource centre, and a multi-purpose hall.

Also, there is a canteen, prep/junior general learning areas, sporting field, multi-purpose courts, and general and student amenities as well as internal roads and car parking.

For 2025 and 2026, the State Government plans to invest in five more new schools in Caboolture West, Caloundra South, Ripley, Flagstone, and Bahrs Scrub. These new schools will add to the 11 that will open in 2023 and 2024.

Three state primary schools, including this one, will welcome new students and ease enrollment pressure in other schools in their respective areas in 2023. The other two schools are located in Yarrabilba and Ripley.

Meanwhile, a state secondary school is also set to open to years 7 and 8 students in Sunshine Coast’s Palmview.

Published 17-January-2023

Carroll House Moving To Character Precinct In Rosewood

Carroll House, a 116-year old house in Goodna will be relocated to a character precinct in Rosewood, Ipswich to make way for a fast-food development.

Read: Brisbane Lions Now Occupying New Home in Springfield

The relocation of Carroll House comes following the approval of a material change of use application for 16 Queen Street, Goodna. The site will soon become the location of a new KFC outlet.

The iconic house will soon be moved to 3 Unnamed Road, Rosewood, a vacant site located within the Character Areas Housing Zone.

According to Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Mayor Teresa Harding, the house had been listed by the previous council under Schedule 3 “Identified Places of Interest.”

This means that the house would be conserved but it did not give council mandatory protection requirements on the site.

“Unfortunately, previous planning decisions about the Carroll House meant this council was left with no power to compel the owner to retain the property on the Queen Street site,” Mayor Harding said.

Photo credit: David Martin: Ipswich/Facebook

“The previous council had already decided that Queen Street would form part of a future commercial zone in Goodna, effectively sealing the fate of the Carroll House.”

To ensure that the city’s heritage can be protected in the future, Ipswich City Council is now in the process of drafting a new planning scheme.

“As part of this process, the Ipswich community will be able to put its views forward on where development should occur in our city,” Mayor Harding said.

Residents who would like to have their say about the new Ipswich planning scheme may visit https://www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/.

About the Carroll House

Carroll House is a pre-1946 dwelling originally built for John and Mary Carroll, former head teachers at Redbank Plains. The couple, along with their nine children (seven sons and two daughters) lived in the property for around 40 years.

In 2012, a historical marker was installed for the house, as an initiative of the Council.

“This was once the home of Mary Carroll who purchased the land in 1906. Mary and her husband John Carroll were well known and well respected within the community,” the plaque reads.

Read: Goodna Charity Builds Sleeping Pods For The Homeless

Two of their sons, Edward and Daniel, were well-known theatrical and cinema managers during their time. Edward and Daniel later joined with others to form the cinema company Birch, Carroll and Coyle. It’s said that Mrs Carroll loved entertaining guests of her sons within the house.

Auslan Classes to be Offered at New Ripley Central State School

Did you know that a growing number of kids across 14 state schools in Queensland have taken interest in mastering the uniqueness of Australian Sign Language? Based on this trend, the new Ripley Central State School will teach Auslan classes from Prep to Year 6.

The new primary school will mark its commencement for Term 1 2023 with a unique curriculum for Languages.

“Our Year 5 and 6 students will follow the Australian Curriculum achievement standard and will be assessed with their achievement reported in their semester report cards,” the school stated. “Our Prep to Year 4 students will also have weekly lessons, however, these will not be assessed.”

According to the Queensland Department of Education, the number of students learning Auslan doubled in 2020. Aside from Ripley Central State School, Our Lady’s College in Annerley will be the first Catholic school in Brisbane to offer the language class for 2023.

For non-students, Deaf Connect has also noticed a steady rise in Auslan learners who are joining community classes or accredited training courses.

Mike Webb, a familiar Auslan interpreter for the Queensland government’s public conferences, welcomes these developments. He added that it is pretty special to be recognised and approached in public by children who want to learn to sign and know more about his work.

Deaf kids are especially inspired to see Mr Webb and understand that they could have the same opportunities despite their disability.

The Auslan interpreter learned before he could speak through his deaf parents. He has a number of family members from both sides who are a major part of the deaf community in Adelaide. His grandparents, Elaine and Gilbert Girke, founded Deaf Australia (formerly the Australian Association of the Deaf).

Springfield Childcare Worker Injured After Stepping on Lego Awarded $200,000

A former Springfield childcare worker, who suffered ligament damage after stepping on a piece of Lego at work, was awarded nearly $200,000 in damages.

In his 94-page court decision, Ipswich Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren said that Woodcrest Early Education Centre in Woodcrest Way, Springfield was negligent in fixing the lighting inside a storage shed where Chomba Annie Kabwe Nkamba had her accident in August 2017.

Mrs Nkamba was at the shed at 6:00 a.m. to prepare the childcare centre for the day when she stepped on the Lego block, rolled her ankle, and writhed in pain. She alleged that the Lego was not properly packed away after use and she did not see pieces on the floor as it was still dark and the shed had poor light quality.

Although she received treatment for the ligament damage, Mrs Nkamba’s movements remain limited to this day and have led to her depression.

A week prior to her accident, the Springfield childcare worker said she informed the centre’s supervisor about the shed’s defective light. She also discussed the light with a senior employee and was told it was on the maintenance book.

Woodcrest Childcare Centre Springfield — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Queensland Childcare Service, however, argued that Woodcrest Early Education Centre had not been negligent and that Mrs Nkamba tripped after she knocked the Lego blocks off the shelf. They also claimed that the former staff suffered only minor muscle strain.

The judge, however, sided with Mrs Nkamba and ordered Queensland Childcare Service to pay her $197,013.98 in damages.

“Her ankle inverted. She fell. How the block came to be there is central to this case,” the judge said.

The plaintiff and defendant are expected to file submissions of costs in January 2023.

Police Identify Man Killed In Greenbank Dog Attack

Police investigation is currently underway after a man was mauled to death by dogs in a property at Greenbank in Logan.

Read: Australia’s Largest Animal Genomics Lab to Be Established in Ipswich

The man was identified as Kane Minion, 42 years old, a meter reader for Energex. This was confirmed by a spokesperson from the company.

The incident happened at around 10:47 a.m on 3 December 2022, whilst Minion was reportedly doing his job inspecting electricity meters outside the said property. Officers were called to a property off Ison Road and found Minion unconscious.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene due to the injuries he sustained.

Homeowners were not around when the incident happened, though the gate flashed a warning sign that reads “Guard dogs on duty. Do not enter.”

Authorities found three dogs on the Greenbank site, including a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross and a Bullmastiff cross, which were already taken by animal control officers from the local council. Reports indicate that the dogs were already euthanized.

Moments after news broke of Minion’s death, social media was inundated with messages of grief and condolences. There were also concerned individuals who gave their two cents regarding keeping certain breeds as guard dogs.

“I think it’s time for the Logan Council to review the breeds of dogs it deems acceptable. Not just for metre reader’s safety but the general community. The origins of these breeds may make them great guard dogs but not good neighbours,” one Facebook user commented.

“Dangerous breeds should be banned for sale and forced to be restrained even at home if metre readers or charity door knockers are put at risk. People who want vicious animals are the problem,” another one said.

Read: No Poison in Animal Tongues Found at Pebbles Park in Ecco Ripley

Meanwhile, Work Safe Australia, an organisation which aims to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers, will also run a parallel investigation with the police.

Man Crashes Ute into Raceview Home, Medical Episode Suspected to be the Cause

A man in his 50s may have been suffering a medical episode when he crashed his ute into a house in Raceview.

According to a Queensland Fire and Emergency spokeswoman, a call came in at 7:00 a.m., Monday, the 12th of December 2022, regarding a driver who lost control and crashed into a house on the corner of Mahogany Street and Whitehill Road. He apparently rammed his car onto the brick wall of the master’s bedroom.

Queensland Ambulance confirmed extracting the man from the car wreck as part of the house collapsed onto the driver. A spokesperson also confirmed that the man, who was in serious but stable condition, was brought to Ipswich Hospital.

No other injuries were reported from the incident and the car wreck was cleared from the house around 9:00 a.m.

Ipswich Launches Green Street Art Competition for All Ages

Calling artists of all ages in Ipswich! Here’s your chance to have your work on display for the public to appreciate. Join the Green Walkable Streets art competition.

Across Ipswich Central, 11 Energex boxes will be painted with unique works of art based on original designs from local creatives as the Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee launches the Green Walkable Streets Artwork Project.

The project aims to revitalise public spaces with creative artworks that bring out the “vitality into the heart of the city,” per the project’s chairman, Councillor Marnie Doyle.

“Council invites artwork based around the concept of ‘green street art’ with urban art designs that incorporate or reimagine trees, leaves, grass, flowers and flora,” Cr Doyle said.

“Local artists should look to Ipswich’s dozens of native species of flora and fauna for inspiration.

The artists who wish to submit their design ideas have until Wednesday, 18th of January 2023, with a brief description of themselves and their work, as well as how their design incorporates the theme of Green Walkable Streets. They may also choose a particular Energex Box from which their designs will appear if their entry has been picked as one of the 11 creative choices.

Energex Green Street Art — Photo Credit: Green Walkable Streets Artwork

The contest is open to both individuals or groups who may want to collaborate together. Aside from getting their work public, the winning entries will receive a $250 gift card.

Be sure to read the competition guidelines carefully before submission. Winning entries will be judged based on design, artwork statement, and the green theme.

Sydney Biotech Aegros to Build $352-Million Manufacturing Hub in Greater Springfield

Did you know that Aegros, a Sydney-based biotech company, is building a new $352-million manufacturing hub at BioPark Australia in Greater Springfield?

Once opened, the facility is expected to increase output for blood plasma products by one million litres a year through its patented Haemafrac plasma fractionating process.

Aegos founder Professor Hari Nair said that his method is twice as effective as the process traditionally used. It’s also more cost-effective and can be delivered at a faster rate than overseas supply chains. Currently, only 53 per cent of plasma products used in Australia are manufactured in the country whilst the rest are imported.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick confirmed that the plasma therapeutics company wants to establish its global headquarters in Queensland, which will provide more jobs for highly-skilled Queenslanders.

“Once Aegros has secured all necessary approvals and finance, the two-year construction will support an estimated 230 jobs,” Mr Dick said.

“Aegros estimates that its facility will create 348 long-term jobs across its first four years of operation.

“The company aims to use its unique advanced technology to develop and manufacture lifesaving therapeutic blood products.

“Therapies produced from the plasma in the blood can help fight infection or diseases such as Lupus and Type 1 diabetes, can promote blood clotting, prevent shock and assist with post-surgical recovery.

“The Springfield facility will have the capacity to process one million litres of human plasma per year.

“Australia imports almost half of the essential plasma and blood products used to develop biopharmaceuticals, so this new facility will position Aegros to meet the needs of the domestic market.

“Aegros also aims to capture some of the $19 billion global export market for therapeutic plasma products.

Aegros Greater Springfield — Photo Credit: CharisMullenMP/Facebook

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen hailed Aegros choice to set up a facility in Greater Springfield as its underscored a vote of confidence in the region. The new industry could also attract and create hundreds of skilled jobs locally.

Meanwhile, Prof Nair is also looking forward to forge a relationship with the region’s medical community and universities to develop better plasma therapies for a myriad of diseases.

“In this way, Aegros is also proud to be able to contribute to the country’s future pandemic preparedness.

“The support of the Queensland Government’s Invested in Queensland program and Springfield City Group has been invaluable to Aegros in moving forward with this project here in Queensland.”