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State Allocates Budget for Transport and Education in Springfield Area

The State Government is investing on educational and transport infrastructure projects in Springfield as part of its 2019-20 Budget allocation for Ipswich, aimed at supporting more jobs and helping around 270 businesses in this region.

About $2.4 million of the State Government’s budget allocation for Ipswich in 2019-20, out of a $44.5 million total spend, will be spent towards upgrading the Springfield Central train station park ‘n’ ride to improve safety and amenity for customers departing the train station.

Once completed, the new multi-storey park ‘n’ ride will provide around 1,100 parking spaces and enhance public access from the Springfield Central train station.

Also, Springfield Central State High School will receive $5.2 million in 2019-20, out of a $17.8 million total spend, that will go toward the construction of additional classrooms and a new multipurpose hall.

The $9-million multi-purpose hall will feature two multi-purpose sports courts with retractable basketball backboards, amenities, storage areas, learning areas, staff room, and meeting rooms.

The State Government will invest $12.9 billion in essential infrastructure to improve roads, hospitals, and schools across Queensland, directly supporting 40,500 jobs with 25,500 of which will in regions outside of Greater Brisbane.

In Ipswich, the State Government will invest $107.3 Million in 2019-20 to maintain, improve, and upgrade existing schools, $895.9 Million for productivity enhancing infrastructure and capital works, and $642.8 Million for West Moreton Hospital and Health Services. The State Government spending in educational and transport infrastructure projects is expected to support around 2,000 jobs in the region.

Taco Bell to Debut in Ipswich By Replacing Sizzler

Photo Credit: Google Street View

Mexican food giant Taco Bell will open its first restaurant in Ipswich City, at Sizzler’s former location in the area.

This news comes after the Ipswich City Council approved Collins Restaurants’ development application for fast food premises and advertising devices at 70 Brisbane Road, East Ipswich.

Based on approved plans, the new restaurant will be a single-storey building with drive-through for 12 cars queuing. The drive-through and signage will be located on the south eastern portion of the site.

Taco Bell’s Ipswich location will have a total of 250 sqm gross floor area, with 58 sqm dedicated for outdoor dining. It will also have 50 on-site car parking spaces.

Photo Credit: Taco Bell Australia/Facebook

Although this is good news for fans of burritos and quesadillas, it is disappointing news for Sizzler regulars. Sizzler spent more than three decades in the area and was the go-to place for people looking for an all-you-can-eat buffet.

This is not the first time a Taco Bell restaurant will replace a space once occupied by Sizzler. In 2017, they made their anticipated return to Australia by operating at site of Sizzler in Annerley.

There is no exact date when the Ipswich location will open but once up and running, Collins Restaurants is planning to operate 24 hours seven days a week if customer demand warrants it.

What seems very likely is that this isn’t going to be the last because Collins Restaurant announced in 2018 that they are planning to have a major expansion for Taco Bell in Australia, with more than 50 locations to roll out over the next three years.

IGA Springfield Lakes Cited for Its Role in Plastic Bag Ban’s Success

IGA Springfield Lakes was praised for its role in the success of the State Government’s plastic bag ban, a year after its introduction.

Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch announced last 1 July 2019 that plastic bag litter had dropped at least 70 percent, from up to 16 million, since the introduction of the plastic bag ban last year.

“These have significant impacts on our environment, waterways and species. But now, thanks to our ban on single-use lightweight plastic bags, we are seeing an incredible drop,” Ms Enoch said.

Minister Enoch said that supermarkets like IGA Springfield had played an enormous role in the success of the measure.

“In the last 12 months this store alone has taken around 364,000 single use bags out of circulation, or about 7,000 per week, which is wonderful.

“Each bag that is taken out of circulation is one less bag that can end up in the environment or wasted in landfill.”

IGA Springfield plastic bag ban — *Photo Credit: orderinchaos [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)] / Wikimedia Commons*

“Our customers have adjusted well to the changes,” IGA Springfield store owner Terry Slaughter said.

“Many bring their own bags and have told us they are happy to play their part.

“We have alternatives available for customers to use, including multiple-use bags provided to us by the Greater Springfield Landcare Group.”

Waste disposal levy

Minister Enoch also announced the reintroduction of the waste disposal levy beginning 1st of July, underpinning the State Government’s latest strategy — Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy — which is aimed at reducing waste, increasing recycling, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting the environment.

“The waste levy will help to grow the recycling and resource recovery sector – creating jobs – while reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfills,” she said.

“There are more jobs in recycling than landfill, so this is a clear economic opportunity for Queensland.”

New Medical Centre, Child Care Centre to Rise in Goodna

The Ipswich City Council has approved the application to develop a medical centre, pharmacy and a cafe, and a child care centre in Goodna.

Designed by WG Architects, the development will sit on a 6,478sqm land at 41, 41A and 43 Queen Street in Goodna. The two-storey multi-purpose complex will house two complementary services: a Medical Centre and a Child Care Centre.

On the ground level will be a medical centre to be comprised of health related tenancies including a pharmacy which will have a total gross floor area of 1,300sqm, as well as an associated cafe with an area of 100sqm.

A child care centre will be located on Level 1 with an indoor area of 945sqm and an outdoor area of 805sqm.

“The proposed development allows for the erection of a contemporary styled complex for the offers health services with ancillary café and pharmacy and a child care services comprising of 2,345sqm of gross floor area. The proposal will provide significant community benefit at a highly accessible location, being the provision of valuable services to the locality,” the Planning Initiatives Assessment Report says.

*Photo Credit: 2019 Ipswich City Council / epathway.ipswich.qld.gov.au*

“The proposed uses of a medical centre and child care centre offer specialised services which will not challenge the primary centres in the surrounding area nor compete with the existing commercial uses. Conversely the proposal will provide additional community services in the form of health and child care that will support the locality and community.”

The developer proposed access to the site from Queens Street with car parking at the street level and at an above ground parking located at the upper level. A total of 107 vehicles including 5 PWD and 1 Ambulance bay will be accommodated.

Spring Mountain: Qld’s Top Suburb for Sales Growth

An analysis of total sales over the 12 months up to February 2019 revealed that Spring Mountain recorded the largest sales growth in Queensland.

The latest CoreLogic report ranked the suburbs with the highest total value of sales, the largest decline in total sales values, and the greatest increase in sales values.

The report shows that Spring Mountain had a total value of sales of $41,473,228 (91 sales) over the 12 months to February 2019 compared to $9,076,303 (26 sales) in 2018. That figure equates to a 356 percent increase in sales value.

According to CoreLogic’s propertyvalue.com.au, the median house price in Spring Mountain for the last 12 months is $478,000 or an increase of 49.14 percent. This makes Spring Mountain the fifth best performing suburb in Queensland in terms of price change.

Other Greater Brisbane suburbs which recorded the highest change in sales value are Joyner and Windaroo with 128.3 percent and 81.6 percent, respectively. Other Qld suburbs with impressive sales value growth are Blackwater which rose 95 percent and River Heads which is up by 67.7 percent.

Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast recorded the greatest value of transactions. Surfers Paradise’s total value of sales is $816,360,562 (1,348 sales), dropping 11.8 percent whilst Buderim declined 11.1 percent with a total value of sales of $460,938,384 (694 sales).

The slowing rate of decline in national dwelling values at the start of 2019 has continued on in May with prices across Australia falling 0.4 percent — the smallest decline month-on-month in the past 12 months.

Experts attribute the decelerating rate of decline to the improving market conditions in Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane also recorded declines in dwelling values — 2.3 percent over the past 12 months to May 2019 and 2.4 percent since peaking.

Although, experts predict the downturn in national house prices will continue throughout the year, prices may start rising by 3 percent in 2020 and 5 percent in 2021.

Springfield Emerges as Top Rental Market in Greater Brisbane

As Brisbane experiences falling vacancy rate, a recent report says that Springfield continues to show strong rental demand to emerge as the top Greater Brisbane suburb in terms of average days on the market.

Domain Group’s latest study of rental data Brisbane suburbs revealed that Springfield is where rental vacancies are filled in the fastest, with average days on market of 22 days; the Brisbane average is 36 days. Springfield rental market also performed well last year with an average of 19 days on market.

Local agents said that house rentals in Springfield are even more impressive as stocks get rented far quicker compared to other dwelling types. The report says that Springfield benefits from its proximity to the RAAF Base Amberley which is one of the main drivers of rental demand in the area, as well as property owners who prefer to temporarily rent while building their house nearby.

Despite the demand, the median house rent per week in Springfield at $390, is still $10 lower than the Qld average, according to realestate.com.au listings data from 1 June 2018 – 15 June 2019.

After years of stagnation, landlords are finally getting relief, as Domain’s recently published May 2019 Rental Vacancy Rate and March 2019 Rental reports suggest that there are already indications that rental supply glut is already bottoming out which could push rental asking prices up.

The median asking rent for houses, in fact, rose to $410 per week, according to the Domain Rental – December quarter 2018 report, from $400 per week a year before or an increase of 2.5 percent year-on-year. This level remained steady during the first quarter of 2019, according to the March 2019 Quarter – Rental report.

Rising demand and contracting supply, on the other hand, also helped bring down rental vacancy rate in Brisbane to 2.4 percent in May 2019 from 2.7 percent in May 2018.

Museum Twilight Markets in Ipswich Bring Bargain Hunting Indoors this June

The annual Museum Twilight Markets is back in Ipswich, but unlike the previous years, this bargain-hunting event will also feature stalls indoors to keep the visitors cosy and comfortable from the winter breeze.

Set for Friday, the 7th of June 2019, the Museum Twilight Markets will open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Workshops Rail Museum on North Street.

While there will be a few stalls on the ground, shoppers can score more good deals inside among the unique and quality handmade items sold by local artists and crafters.

You won’t find any mass-produced or imported goods at this event.

Beside the Museum Twilight Markets will be an art exhibit featuring 14 artists from Australia. So, make sure to drop by their corners as well and learn the fascinating stories behind their work and technique.

Since there will be artworks on display, this Twilight Market will not allow shoppers to bring their pets to the event.

A $2 entrance fee will be collected from guests entering the Museum Twilight Markets. However, children below 15 can join their parents or other adults for free.

Plans Lodged for Indoor Entertainment Area at Orion Springfield Central

Photo credit: pdonline.ipswich.qld.gov.au

An indoor entertainment precinct featuring ten pin bowling lanes will soon be built at Orion Springfield Central should a development application be approved.

The proposal is seeking to include a laser tag arena, a party room and arcade gaming area. It will also include an office space and a prize collection area.

To facilitate the construction, the applicant will remove 78 car parking spaces adjacent to the new building and will temporarily pull out existing shade sails in the car park near Target.

Lodged by Mirvac in May 2019, the 1232-sqm indoor entertainment area will serve as an extension to the current centre and will be constructed in three stages.

The first stage will involve closing the southern car park and demolition works, whilst Stage 2 will be for construction of a reconfigured car park and tenancy structures.

The final stage will be dedicated for reopening of the southern car park and tenancy fit-outs. Mirvac also lodged an application with the Ipswich City Council for 126 additional car parking spaces off Sirius Drive.

Photo credit: pdonline.ipswich.qld.gov.au

If given the green light, this entertainment area will greatly please a number of locals who missed tenpin bowling since the Ipswich Tenpin at Bundamba was destroyed in the floods of January 2011.

The new entertainment precinct will be built near the existing Target loading dock in the centre’s southern carpark.

For more information about this proposed development, see ADP – 3674 / 2019.

Ipswich Residents Near Swanbank Industrial Area Asked to Report Odour Issues

Residents near the Swanbank Industrial Area in Ipswich have been plagued with an unbearable stench around the air for years, but they can actually help the government solve these nuisances by reporting odour issues to the concerned authorities.

In May 2019, the Palaszczuk Government through the Queensland Environment Department sought a survey and gathered feedback from the locals via phone and emails to determine where the odour frequently occurred. This was the second survey done at the Swanbank Industrial Area community after the initial survey conducted last April 2018.

“The Palaszczuk Government takes this matter seriously and is committed to listening to the community,” Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said.

“We have had new processes in place for the past 12 months to ensure an appropriate response is happening on the ground.

“Over the next month, affected residents and the industry will be engaged in the survey, and these results will help to inform the future of environmental management for the area.”

Even as the survey period has passed, the Queensland Environment Department still welcomes reports about the odours for quick action from the Odour Abatement Task Force.

Residents may:

call 1300 130 372 (press option 3), or
file an Environmental Incident Report online, or
Visit the department’s office at 163 Alawoona Street, Redbank Plains

*Photo Credit: Queensland Environment Department*

With over 30 industrial operators at the Swanbank Industrial Area, it’s not always easy for the task force to zero in on the sources. Thus, the government needs these reports to facilitate a better course of action.

Join the Million Paws Walk 2019 in Ipswich: The Biggest Dog Day Out Event in Australia

You and your beloved pooch are invited to come and join the Million Paws Walk at the Limestone Park, Ipswich on Sunday on 19 May 2019.

It’s that time of the year again to go out and bring along your furry friend for the biggest dog day out event in Australia. Organised and run by the RSPCA, the Million Paws Walk is an annual event held every third Sunday in May to raise funds for the care of abandoned, neglected, and sick animals living in various RSPCA shelters.

Million Paws Walk is strictly a dog-only event and whilst dog owners are encouraged to join, animal lovers who don’t own a dog may also come and help raise funds for disadvantaged animals. There will also be loads of entertainment, display, stalls, and other activities for everyone.

However, to participate in the Million Paws Walk your dog/s must:

Be fully vaccinated and registered.
Wear a collar with an identification tag.
Be on a leash at all times.
Have recently (3 weeks leading up to event) had their flea & worming treatment.
Be socialised and generally non-aggressive to people or other dogs.

View this post on Instagram

RSPCA #MillionPawsWalk2018 was a huge success and it's all thanks to each of you! The results are in and nationally we had over 37,734 walkers and so far have raised $767,740 !! 😍😱🐾 Reminder that you can still donate and fundraise until the end of June so don't stop now! Here are some photos from the big day! There's nothing quite like MPW, bringing together so many dogs and dog lovers, walking to fight animal cruelty and be the voice for those who are voiceless. Thank you so much to everyone who participated, donated and showed their support! Without your dedication and generous support, #RSPCA wouldn't be able to support all of the animals across Australia who need it most. ❤️

A post shared by RSPCA (@rspcamillionpawswalk) on May 30, 2018 at 6:28pm PDT

Become a fundraiser

Launched in 1994 by Dr Cam Day, Million Paws Walk has grown to be RSPCA’s biggest fundraising event with thousands of families and their four-legged friends walking in various locations around the country every year.

The tickets that you will purchase will only cover for the cost of organising the event, so it’s important to spread the word and ask anyone you know to donate as well to your personal fundraising page

To know more about how you can buy tickets, set up your own fundraising page, and get rewards, visit this page.

About RSPCA

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is an independent, non-government community-based charity that promotes care and protection against animal cruelty.

RSPCA works to enforce laws against animal cruelty and operates 40 shelters as well as raise awareness regarding humane treatment of animals.