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Commune With Nature and Calm Your Spirit at Nerima Gardens

Photo credit: Ipswich City Council, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Inspired by a ‘Sister City’ link between Ipswich and Nerima City in Japan, Nerima Gardens in Queens Park is a celebration of two cultures and a special place to commune with nature and calm the spirit.

In October 1988, a delegation led by the then Nerima Deputy Mayor Mitsuishi arrived in the country to visit three cities with the aim of selecting their Sister City to forge goodwill between cities of different countries, cultures and experiences.

Commune With Nature and Calm Your Spirit at Nerima Gardens — *Photo credit: City of Ipswich /* ipswich.qld.gov.au

From these three Australian cities, Ipswich was selected because of the similarities it shares with Nerima. Spanning 48.17 square kilometres, Nerima like Ipswich is located next to a capital City, Tokyo. It is also near an international airport and both cities are in the same time zone.

Ipswich and Nerima’s Sister City relationship was formalised on 15 October 1994.

On 17 May 2001, the first stage of Nerima Gardens was opened by former Ipswich Mayor John Nugent and Nerima Mayor Saburo Iwanami. The site serves to commemorate the Sister City relationship between these two cities.

Whilst it aims to capture the elements of a Japanese-style garden, visitors will notice that Ipswich’s distinct identity is also evident throughout with the use of local plants that includes rare and endangered species.

The Nerima Gardens’ design elements include walled entry gates which symbolise protection from outside forces and passage to oneness with the earth; the life bridge which provides a moment to pause and reflect; and the tea house, a special building for holding Japanese tea ceremonies.

Sadly, due to the restrictive nature of the pathways, delicate gardens and limited areas for a large group of people to gather without affecting other park users’ ability to move about freely in the area, events are not allowed within Nerima Gardens.

Published 20-March-2023

Ipswich Logs Biggest ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ Participation for the City

Great work Ipswich, for a record 55 registered sites for Clean Up Australia Day, yielding the biggest turnout yet for the city!

Hundreds of locals stepped up and participated in the annual, nationwide Clean Up Australia Day activity held on 5 March 2023. Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said he was proud and “blown away” by the rubbish Ipswich locals collected.

The Springfield Scouts Group had 40 members and 65 parents as participants and covered two parklands around the YMCA Springfield Lakes Community Centre. The group was able to clear over 300 kg of rubbish.

“We were very happy to contribute back to society and help the environment and we look forward to next year’s event,” Springfield Cub Scout Leader Thomas Hewitt said.

“Community groups around the city should be applauded at the great work they’ve done in cleaning up and helping to keep Ipswich beautiful,” Cr Milligan said.

“I would also urge everyone to think carefully about their waste and to always dispose of rubbish in the correct manner.”

Ipswich City Council’s Environment and Sustainability team supports educational programs that encourage locals to attend events like Clean Up Australia Day. Participation in environmental events encourages positive behaviour change and promotes appreciation and care for the local environment.

Council is also working on several initiatives to improve resource recovery as part of its Resource Recovery Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2031.

Published 19 March 2023

Almost 700 New Homes Built in Ipswich to Support the Housing Market

Did you know that almost 700 new homes were built in Ipswich, the fastest-growing city in Queensland, in the last quarter of 2022?

Mayor Teresa Harding, who is also the Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair, said that the Ipswich City Council has been “going from strength to strength” in approving more lands and preparing more dwellings to support the housing market.

“Last quarter, Council approved 269 proposed new lots, 573 new lots were created, and 690 new dwellings were built,” the mayor said, amidst the growing population of the city.

Councillor Paul Tully, the Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson, said that there were 1,884 new Ipswich residents from October to December 2022 based on the city’s Quarterly Activity Report thus the need for more action to support the city’s growth.

“That’s a 55 per cent rise from the previous quarter, pushing our total population to 245,472,” Cr Tully said.

“Most of these residents are moving to the suburbs of Ripley, Springfield Lakes, Spring Mountain, Redbank Plains and Bellbird Park.

“These were the top five suburbs for new dwellings and additional population in the past quarter.”

In September 2022, Ipswich also approved 1,033 homes as the city’s influx of residents rose to 27 per cent.

Published 5 March 2023

Construction of Multi-Beverage Manufacturing Facility in Swanbank Well Underway

Construction of the $400 million multi-beverage manufacturing facility in Swanbank is well underway and on track for its opening in mid-2024. Once operational, the facility will provide 160 long-term jobs.

Japanese global drinks manufacturer Suntory is currently building its new facility on a 17-hectare industrial site located southeast of Ipswich after getting the green light last September 2022.

The multi-beverage manufacturing facility is expected to produce up to 20 million cases of its well-known beverages annually and it has the capacity to be scaled up when needed. Frucor Suntory manufactures and distributes a wide range of energy drinks and sparkling and other non-alcoholic beverages across Oceania.

During its construction, the project will provide 450 construction and installation jobs. Once open and operational, the development is also expected to benefit the communities of Ipswich, Redbank Plains, Springfield and Ripley Valley with job opportunities.

“Japanese companies like Suntory recognise the benefits of investing in Queensland and Queenslanders,” Queensland minister for trade and investment Cameron Dick said when he made the announcement last year.

“This new investment in the Frucor Suntory facility shows the strength of the Queensland-Japan trade and investment relationship, now sixty years strong.”

Darren Fullerton, Frucor Suntory CEO, said that the company manufactures all its products for Australia over in New Zealand and currently has run out of capacity. The new multi-beverage facility in Ipswich will allow the manufacturer to fulfil its growing retail and consumer demand, enabling it to process, package, warehouse and distribute its beverage products for its Australian customers.

“Ipswich is the perfect place for high-skill, high tech manufacturing,” Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said.

“Our community is ideally placed with the right workforce, logistics and transport links.”

“Ipswich City Council and the Ipswich community are delighted to welcome Frucor Suntory with its new manufacturing facility to be constructed in Swanbank,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said.

“This project will deliver hundreds of local jobs; about 450 during the initial construction phase and another 160 long-term roles when it starts operating from 2024.

“It shows there are significant benefits to global companies establishing their facilities in the city and being part of the local economy.”

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.