Augustine Heights Archives - Springfield Lakes

Two-Stage Rollout Locked In for Augustine Heights Special School

A new special school for the Springfield–Redbank corridor is now tracking toward a staged opening, with the first intake expected in 2027 and full delivery by early 2028.

The facility, planned for co-location with Woogaroo Creek State School in Augustine Heights, is being designed to respond to sustained enrolment growth across one of South East Queensland’s fastest-expanding regions.

Updated project details confirm a two-stage rollout, with stage one scheduled to open in 2027, followed by stage two in Term 1, 2028.

Meeting Demand in a Growth Corridor

The school is intended to expand access to specialised education while easing pressure on existing facilities across Springfield, Redbank and surrounding suburbs.

Demand for special education placements has been rising alongside population growth in the corridor, with families often travelling significant distances to access appropriate support. The new site is expected to provide localised capacity and reduce strain on nearby schools already operating at or near enrolment limits.

The project remains in the planning phase, but has progressed to the point where a design contract has been awarded. Detailed design work is now underway, including assessments of traffic, vegetation, stormwater and acoustic impacts tied to the new campus.

Preparing for Construction

With planning advancing, the focus has shifted to refining the school’s design and preparing for construction.

Key next steps include finalising the campus layout and addressing site-specific considerations ahead of building works. A contractor has not yet been appointed, and the overall project budget remains subject to detailed design and procurement outcomes.

Community consultation on the project was carried out in the final quarter of 2025, helping inform early planning decisions.

A Coordinated Expansion of Special Education

The Augustine Heights project forms part of a broader pipeline of new special schools being considered or delivered across Queensland to keep pace with population growth.

Once complete, the co-located model with Woogaroo Creek State School is expected to support shared infrastructure efficiencies while delivering dedicated facilities tailored to students with diverse learning needs.

The staged 2027–2028 opening timeline now provides the clearest indication yet of when families in the Springfield–Redbank area can expect access to expanded local support.

Published 6-May-2026

Springfield Is Getting Queensland’s First House of India, and It’s Been Decades in the Making

@shayneneumann_blair/Instagram

Queensland’s Indian community has reached a landmark moment, with the official foundation stone laying for the House of India taking place at the project site in Augustine Heights, marking the beginning of construction on what will be the first dedicated Indian cultural and community centre in Queensland.

The ceremony brought together community and faith leaders, who offered prayers and blessed the foundation stone before it was laid. A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the occasion.

Local representatives joined Julian Hill, the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, to mark the occasion. They stood alongside members of the Springfield City Group and the local Indian community to witness the blessing of the site.

The project is backed by $5.5 million in funding, and is being delivered in partnership with the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ), the peak umbrella body representing more than 33 Indian organisations across the state.

The FICQ has championed the House of India concept for decades, and the foundation stone ceremony represents the moment a community’s long-held vision has finally moved from aspiration to ground.

A Home in Springfield

The choice of Greater Springfield as the location for Queensland’s first House of India reflects both the demographics of the region and a deeper thread of connection that runs through its history.

Around 10,000 people of Indian heritage now live in Ipswich and Greater Springfield, one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban corridors. The region’s very existence owes much to the vision of a man of Indian descent. Dr Maha Sinnathamby AM, Chairman and Founder of Springfield City Group, was born in Malaysia of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage and came to Australia in the 1970s.

In 1992, alongside business partner Bob Sharpless, he purchased nearly 3,000 hectares of economically depressed scrubland southwest of Brisbane for $7.9 million. The plan to turn it into a master-planned city required an Act of Parliament, which Queensland’s Parliament passed unanimously in 1997.

*Photo Credit: Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland*

What grew from that purchase is now home to more than 53,000 residents, 12 schools, a hospital, a university and a rail connection to the broader South East Queensland network.

Greater Springfield has been recognised as the world’s best master-planned community by the International Real Estate Federation, and Sinnathamby has donated more than $200 million in land and funds to social infrastructure across the precinct. The House of India will become part of that legacy.

“I want to thank Springfield City Group and Chairman Dr Maha Sinnathamby for their vision,” said Mr Shayne Neumann at the ceremony.

A Decades-Long Dream Taking Shape

The FICQ was founded in 1998 as a non-profit umbrella body to give Queensland’s Indian diaspora a unified voice at every level of public life. It represents organisations whose members trace their heritage to mainland India, Fiji, South Africa, Malaysia and other communities of Indian origin.

FICQ President Dr Preethi Suraj has been a driving force behind the House of India project as it has moved through planning, funding and community consultation over the years.

“This project represents a shared dream to create a space where culture brings people together and diversity is celebrated,” Dr Suraj said.

The centre is designed to be much more than a venue for Indian cultural events, though it will certainly serve that function well. The House of India will provide dedicated meeting spaces for Indian community associations, host celebrations and festivals, and welcome multicultural and faith groups from across the region.

*Photo Credit: @shayneneumann_blair/Instagram*

At the same time, it is designed to serve the broader Ipswich and Greater Springfield community with practical support services including crisis accommodation, community education programmes, language schools, sporting facilities and a commercial kitchen to support food relief efforts.

That dual purpose, deeply rooted in Indian cultural identity while genuinely open to the whole community, reflects how Queensland’s Indian diaspora has always operated: engaged, contributing and inclusive.

Built on Years of Contribution

The Indian community in Ipswich and Greater Springfield is one of the most highly educated and employed in Queensland. Its members work across medicine, engineering, information technology, education, small business and beyond, and have been part of the social and economic fabric of the western corridor for generations.

It was noted that the community has already contributed significantly to the region, and that the House of India provides a place that reflects that contribution back to them.

“With around 10,000 people of Indian heritage now living in Ipswich and Greater Springfield, this community makes a huge contribution to the region, and it’s time they had a place to call their own,” Mr Neumann said.

The Next Chapter

Construction is now underway following the foundation stone ceremony. For more information about the House of India project or to follow its progress, contact the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland at ficq.org.au.

Published 26-April-2026

New 24-Hour Fire and Rescue Hub to Protect Springfield Lakes Region

Photo Credit: Queensland Government

A powerful new firefighting force is preparing to move into the Springfield Lakes area to ensure emergency response times remain fast as the local population surges.

A Strategic Hub for Rapid Response

*Photo Credit:* *CharisMullenMP/ Facebook*

The new facility represents a significant upgrade for emergency services in one of the fastest-growing pockets of Queensland. Situated on Gateway Drive in Augustine Heights, the station sits right next to the existing ambulance centre. This specific spot was chosen because it allows crews to jump onto major roads quickly.

By placing fire and medical teams side-by-side, the region gains a more coordinated response to accidents and fires. The reach of this station is broad, covering a massive area that spans from Redbank down to Greenbank and across from South Ripley to Carole Park.

Advanced Gear and Round-the-Clock Crews

Inside the ten-million-dollar facility, the focus is on high-performance equipment and constant readiness. The station will be home to powerful firefighting trucks designed to pump 4,500 litres of water every minute. To ensure help is always available, the site will be staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A dedicated team of 19 firefighters and five station officers will call this new space home, providing a permanent presence that aims to cut down response times and provide peace of mind for local families.

Planning for a Growing Population

The project is a major piece of a larger 36-million-dollar plan to upgrade emergency services across Queensland, with other stations being built in areas like Beerwah and Caloundra. Experts predict that the population in this region could double over the next two decades, making this infrastructure a vital long-term investment.

While there have been different reports on the exact timeline, the most recent projections suggest the station will be fully operational in 2026. This new addition will work in tandem with existing stations in Camira and Ripley to create a more resilient safety network for the entire western corridor.

Support for Local Frontline Workers

Fire and Disaster Recovery officials have noted that this project is about more than just a building; it is about giving frontline workers the tools they need to succeed. Fire and Rescue Commissioner Steve Smith explained that the department identified this location as the best possible choice to handle the increasing pressure on local services. Government representatives have also pointed out that the facility addresses a long-standing need for better resources for crews who have been stretched thin. With construction moving through the final stages of earthworks and building, the move into this modern space is expected to give local firefighters a much-needed boost in morale and capability.

Published Date 16-April-2026

St Augustine’s College in Augustine Heights Leads Regional Shift Toward Global Learning

St Augustine’s College in Augustine Heights has officially become the most linguistically diverse campus within the Brisbane Catholic Education system, with students now speaking 56 different languages in their homes.

The college achieved this milestone as the broader Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) network reached a record scale of 80,000 students across 139 countries of birth. This growth has prompted a physical transformation of the Augustine Heights campus, including the recent addition of a sixth stream of secondary classes and the construction of the expanded Giramee Hall.

These infrastructure projects are designed to support a student body that includes children born in nations as varied as Albania, Cambodia, Brazil, and Afghanistan. Local families at the college now share a community where Tagalog, Punjabi, Portuguese, and Aboriginal languages are heard alongside English in daily school life.

Academic Success Through Cultural Variety

St Augustine’s College — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

While St Augustine’s leads in language numbers, other nearby campuses are proving that this variety leads to higher academic results. St Thomas More College in Sunnybank, which ranks as the third most diverse school in the system, was recently named by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority as a school making a significant difference.

Principal Les Conroy noted that the NAPLAN results at his school show that having students from 25 different countries is a primary driver of learning growth. He stated that the different perspectives and rich cultural backgrounds students bring into the classroom actually strengthen the overall educational environment rather than complicating it.

Practical Support for New Arrivals

The commitment to a global community extends beyond the classroom and into the school workforce through the Work and Welcome program. At Clairvaux MacKillop College, this initiative provides real-world employment to refugees and migrants to help them establish careers in Australia.

One recent participant, a refugee from the Republic of Burundi named Douce, used her time working in the college canteen to build professional hospitality skills. The program operates across 146 schools and multiple offices in South East Queensland, aiming to turn the challenges of migration into long-term career stability for new residents.

Strengthening First Nations Leadership

Parallel to these international connections, BCE is increasing its focus on First Nations identity through the Molum Sabe impact domain for 2026-2027. This month, more than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are gathering for dance workshops across the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast.

These sessions, led by cultural engagement officers like Gracey McGrath, provide a safe space for young people to connect with their heritage through song and storytelling. Senior Manager Mayrah Driese explained that these immersions are a priority for the organisation because they help build leadership skills among Indigenous youth.

Professional Growth for Educators

To ensure school staff can properly support such a varied population, new Cultural Awareness Days have been launched for 2026 at the Ngutana-Lui Cultural Studies Centre. Teachers and administrative staff participate in sessions that explore the BCE Cultural Capability Framework and First Nations spirituality.

These training days include practical activities like weaving and yarning circles to help staff understand how intergenerational history affects modern learning. By deepening their awareness of First Nations knowledge, educators are better equipped to meet the needs of the diverse student groups found in growing suburbs like Augustine Heights.

Published Date 27-March-2026

Springfield Central at Heart of Ipswich’s Updated Bus Program

Photo Credit: Traveller QLD/CC BY-SA 3.0

Springfield Central has become a key node in a major overhaul of public transport in Ipswich, with new bus links launched to improve connections between growth suburbs, Ipswich and important destinations across the region.

Community Changes Begin

The first stage of the Ipswich Bus Improvement Package introduces four new routes designed to give more direct travel options between Springfield Central, Ipswich, Redbank Plains, Redbank, Augustine Heights, Bellbird Park, and nearby suburbs.

Information from Translink and Ipswich City Council shows the early changes aim to strengthen access to destinations, including Springfield Central and Redbank Plains Town Square. Rollout details are available through Translink, while Council has detailed its transport program.

What Residents Can Expect

Route 501 now offers a direct link between Springfield Central and Ipswich, travelling via Augusta Parkway, Redbank Plains Town Square, Blackstone, Silkstone and Newtown.

Routes 520, 522 and 523 serve commuters travelling between Goodna, Eden’s Crossing, Redbank Plains, Collingwood Park, Augustine Heights and Springfield Central, providing new cross-suburb options that reduce the need for long detours.

Ipswich Bus Improvement Package – Stage 1 (Route Summary Table)

Route	Name / Direction	Service Areas (Summary)	Weekday Service Hours	Weekend & Public Holiday Hours	Frequency
501	Springfield Central → Ipswich	Springfield Central, Augusta Parkway, Redbank Plains Town Square, Blackstone, Silkstone, Newtown, Ipswich	6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.	7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.	Hourly
520	Goodna → Eden’s Crossing	Goodna Station, Goodna, Bellbird Park, Redbank Plains Town Square, Eden’s Crossing	5:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.	7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.	Half-hourly in peak (5:15–8:30 a.m., 4:15–6:35 p.m.); otherwise hourly
522	Redbank → Springfield Central	Redbank Station, Redbank, Collingwood Park, Redbank Plains Town Square, Augusta Parkway, Springfield Central	5:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.	7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.	Half-hourly in peak (5:30–8:40 a.m., 4:00–6:40 p.m.); otherwise hourly
523	Redbank Plains → Springfield Central	Redbank Plains, Mountview, Eden’s Crossing, Redbank Plains Town Square, Augustine Heights, Springfield Central	5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.	7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.	Half-hourly in peak (5:30–9:30 a.m., 2:30–6:30 p.m.); otherwise hourly

A local representative has noted that the stop near Eden Station Drive and Augusta Parkway is confirmed for use by the new routes, while the corresponding stop across Augusta Parkway remains in the design phase between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Ipswich City Council.

Next Steps for the Network

Planning continues for Stages 2 and 3 of the bus program, with more details to be released closer to implementation. Local representatives say they will meet with Translink and other agencies this week to obtain firmer delivery dates for future stops and additional improvements for Springfield Central and surrounding suburbs as the network evolves.

Published 17-Nov-2025

Young Person Charged After Serious Incident in Augustine Heights

A young person from our local Augustine Heights community has been charged with serious offences following an incident that occurred on Sunday afternoon.

Queensland Police were called to a residence in Augustine Heights around 4pm on Sunday, where they discovered a 55-year-old woman with a chest wound. The victim was quickly transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

A 12-year-old girl, who lives at the same residence as the injured woman, has since been charged with attempted murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The child appeared before Ipswich Children’s Court on Monday, with proceedings adjourned until Tuesday.

The young person involved is understood to be known to Queensland’s Child Safety Department, highlighting the complex circumstances that can affect vulnerable children in our community. She has been remanded in custody pending her next court appearance.

Under Queensland’s youth justice system, serious charges like attempted murder require careful consideration through the Children’s Court process, which recognises that children have different levels of maturity and decision-making capacity compared to adults.

Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing, and authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the alleged offending.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community support systems and the complex challenges facing some of our most vulnerable young people. Local residents may be concerned about safety in the area, but police have indicated this appears to be an isolated domestic incident.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact Queensland Police.

Published 18-August-2025

Residential Growth Expands in Augustine Heights and Brookwater with 300 New Homes

Photo Credit: Azure

Augustine Heights and Brookwater are set to see more than 300 new homes constructed by 2026, with developer Azure responding to growing housing demand in Ipswich.

*Caption: Oakmont by Azure*
*Photo Credit: Azure*

Two master-planned developments by Azure are currently under construction in Augustine Heights and Brookwater. These projects form part of the developer’s broader pipeline, which includes 100 homes to be delivered across Ipswich in 2025, and a further 271 in 2026. Among those, the Augustine Heights and Brookwater sites will contribute a combined total of over 130 homes.

Housing Supply Grows with Ipswich Population

Azure’s latest residential push includes ‘Ember’ in Augustine Heights and ‘Oakmont’ in Brookwater, contributing over 130 new homes to the region. Ember comprises 74 homes set in a subtropical landscape, while Oakmont offers 61 residences bordering the Brookwater Golf Course. Both developments have commenced construction and are scheduled for completion by late 2026.

Ember: Affordable Design-Led Living in Augustine Heights

Ember is positioned as a serene community offering design sophistication at a more accessible price point. The development features three and four-bedroom terrace homes with flexible indoor-outdoor living, modern aesthetics, and premium internal finishes.

Azure developments — *Caption: Ember by Azure*
*Photo Credit: Azure*

Ember places emphasis on light, space, and functional living, with timber tones and refined material palettes used throughout. Communal amenities include a 20-metre swimming pool, a kids’ splash pool, sun lounges, and shaded cabanas, all part of Ember’s private AClub offering.

Homes are priced between $750,000 and $990,000. As of March 2025, eight residences remain available to purchase, set to be released in Stage 8 sales later in the year.

Azure residences in Augustine Heights and Brookwater — *Caption: Ember by Azure*
*Photo Credit: Azure*

Oakmont: Premium Residences Fronting Brookwater Golf Course

Oakmont in Brookwater offers a more exclusive option within a gated community. The development includes three-bedroom terraces under the Oakmont Collection and a separate Signature Collection of four-bedroom homes, featuring expansive views of the golf course.

Augustine Heights and Brookwater residences — *Caption: Oakmont by Azure*
*Photo Credit: Azure*

The terraces are defined by colonial-style windows, awnings, curated gardens, and bold neoclassical architecture. Internal features include high-end finishes, generous kitchens with butler’s pantries, integrated ILVE appliances, and refined entry statements.

Prices range from $1.34 million for standard residences to $1.72 million for homes within the Signature Collection. As of March, 70 per cent of Oakmont homes have been sold.

Azure residential development in Augustine Heights and Brookwater — *Caption: Oakmont by Azure*
*Photo Credit: Azure*

Community Demand and Local Sentiment

Azure Director Trent Kiernan said strong interest in both locations indicates high demand for quality housing in the Ipswich region. Sales Manager Allyce Kluver described Brookwater as a premium destination within Ipswich. She added that the region’s appeal is growing due to local economic growth, new job opportunities, and improved education offerings.

Future Outlook

Azure’s developments are part of broader efforts to address housing demand in southeast Queensland. The company intends to continue investing in the Ipswich area, which is expected to become a significant residential hub within the next decade.

Published 26-Mar-2025

Augustine Heights to Welcome $60 Million Townhouse Development

Photo Credit: DA A446008

Ipswich’s Augustine Heights suburb is set for a significant boost. Developer Azure has received the green light for a 74-home townhouse project valued at an estimated $60 million.

The Augusta Parkway project, located at 7001 Augusta Parkway, will span a 15,010-square-metre site. The development will offer a mix of three- and four-bedroom townhouses, complemented by communal amenities, including a wet-edge pool and a children’s pool.

Strategically positioned, Augusta Parkway is conveniently located in proximity to key amenities.

Augustine Heights — *Photo Credit:* *DA A446008*

It’s about 5km from the Springfield Central train station, 4km from Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre, and 6.5km from Springfield Fair Shopping Centre.

Educational institutions such as St Augustine’s College and Augusta State School are also approximately 1.5km and 3km from the site.

This exciting project will commence in the first quarter of the upcoming year.

Published Date 10-September-2024

New Woogaroo Creek State School to Open Next Year

Photo credit: Facebook / Woogaroo Creek State School

Four new state schools that are now being built have been named, including one state school for Augustine Heights which will be named Woogaroo Creek State School. These new schools are expected to open next year.

Announced last October 2022, Education Minister Grace Grace named the four new schools currently undergoing development in Augustine Heights, Palmview, Ripley and Yarrabilba costing a total investment of $330 million.

These schools will be known as:

Woogaroo Creek State School;
Palmview State Secondary College;
Ripley Central State School; and
South Rock State School

Woogaroo Creek State School will serve the growing area of Augustine Heights and will open for Prep to Year 6 students for Term 1, 2023. The project features an administration block, student support and staff building, information and resource centre, a multi-purpose hall, canteen, prep/junior general learning areas, sporting field, multi-purpose courts, general and student amenities, and internal roads and car parking.

The $85 million Woogaroo Creek State School will support more than 230 local jobs, increase the area’s schooling network capacity and provide enrolment relief to neighbouring Fernbrooke State School, Augusta State School and Redbank Plains State School.

Foundation Principal Ms Seccombe and Deputy Principal Mrs Cameron | Photo credit: Facebook / Woogaroo_Creek State School

Ms Kendall Seccombe was appointed the state school’s foundation principal and she will be working with Deputy Principal Mrs Lisa Cameron. Ms Seccombe began her teaching career at Murgon State School in 2006. Since 2014, she has been principal to a number of schools including Gindie State School, Cooyar State School, Millchester State School and most recently at Ipswich East State School.

“It is a privilege to accept the position as Foundation Principal of the new school being built at Augustine Heights. I look forward to building a legacy with the local community and creating and empowering futures for our students.”
Ms Seccombe

“Woogaroo Creek has geographical, cultural and environmental significance for our local area and the land on which our school is being built,” Ms Seccombe said about the new school’s name which was chosen by 80 per cent of participants in the final round of online voting.

“This name is a reflection of who we are and what we value at our new school – students will reach new heights at Woogaroo Creek State School.”

The four new schools will feature solar panels and LED lights on timers and as well as a 4,000L rainwater tank at the Woogaroo Creek State School to water the school’s garden.

Augustine Heights’ new primary state school is located at 12 Purser Road, Augustine Heights. It will be able to accommodate 1,000 students once all stages of construction are completed.