Goodna Archives - Springfield Lakes

Goodna Operator to Continue Running Rosewood Aquatic Centre for Another Decade

Local families can look forward to another ten years of swimming lessons and aquatic fitness classes at the Rosewood Aquatic Centre, following Ipswich City’s approval of a major lease extension with Goodna-based operator Australian Crawl.

Read: Play, Fitness, and Heritage: Inside the Reimagined RJ Richardson Park in Goodna

Ipswich has agreed to renew the lease for the Mill Street facility until December 2035, ensuring continuity for the popular learn-to-swim programmes and group fitness classes that serve the local community.

Australian Crawl (Goodna) Pty Ltd, which oversees other leisure and fitness centres in the region, will continue operating the Rosewood facility under the extended agreement.

Photo credit: Facebook/Rosewood Aquatic Centre

Crr Paul Tully, who chairs the Finance and Governance Committee, confirmed that council had endorsed the recommendation to renew the lease with the Goodna-based company. The operator will remain responsible for maintaining the premises throughout the ten-year term, excluding fair wear and tear and deterioration due to age.

The Rosewood Aquatic Centre operates primarily during summer and offers two heated pools, a children’s splash zone, and an outdoor gym area.

Division 4 Cr David Martin noted that the community will welcome news that they can continue to have public swimming facilities close to home. The ten-year lease renewal will ensure that Rosewood families can continue to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle in the water, with modern facilities and programmes that cater to swimmers of all ages.

The significance of the centre extends beyond recreation. Division 4 Cr Jim Madden highlighted the important role the facility plays in water safety education. The partnership will ensure that the next generation of Ipswich children can access learn-to-swim classes and become stronger swimmers.

The lease was due to expire, making the renewal critical for maintaining continuity of aquatic services in the growing Rosewood area. Without the extension, families would have faced uncertainty about access to local swimming facilities and water safety programmes.

The arrangement allows Australian Crawl to continue delivering its swimming programmes at the Rosewood centre, providing convenient options for families in the western suburbs who rely on the facility for both recreation and essential water safety education.

Read: Goodna Athlete Rhani Hagan Making Her Mark in Australian Rugby

With the lease now secured until 2035, the Rosewood Aquatic Centre will remain an important hub for community health and recreation for the next decade.

Published 6-January-2026

Frontline Police Deployment Boosts Springfield and Nearby Suburbs

Photo Credit: QPS

Springfield has received an additional frontline police officer following the graduation of 118 new constables, with further deployments also made across Ipswich and Goodna.

Graduation Marks Major Intake

A graduation ceremony held on 5 December, 2025 welcomed 118 new officers into the Queensland Police Service. The intake forms part of a high-volume recruitment year, bringing the total number of officers sworn in during 2025 to almost 1,200.

The graduates join more than 1,000 First Year Constables already inducted this year, with a final cohort scheduled to graduate later in December.

Deployments Across Ipswich and Springfield

As part of the Southern Region deployment, five officers have been assigned across the Ipswich district, with one officer allocated to Springfield, Ipswich, Goodna, Karana Downs and Yamanto. The placements contribute to increased frontline coverage across established and growing residential areas.

The wider Southern Region distribution also includes placements in Toowoomba, Gatton, Kingaroy, Dalby and St George, contributing to increased frontline coverage across both urban and regional areas.

Diverse Experience Among Recruits

The graduating officers range in age from 18 to 54 and bring experience from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including education, healthcare, defence, social services, hospitality and trades.

Recruitment activity during 2025 included record attendance at academy open days in Brisbane and Townsville, alongside the largest graduating cohort recorded in more than three decades earlier in the year.

Springfield police deployment — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Ongoing Recruitment and Training

Recruitment remains active, with more than 840 recruits currently undergoing training and over 1,160 applicants progressing through the recruitment process.

Future graduations are expected to continue increasing frontline capacity across Queensland, including Springfield, Ipswich and Goodna.

Published 5-Jan-2026

Goodna Athlete Rhani Hagan Making Her Mark in Australian Rugby

Photo Credit: QRSS

Winning gold for Australia doesn’t happen by accident — and for Goodna’s Rhani Hagan, it’s the result of years of dedication across multiple sporting codes.

Rhani has competed across touch football, rugby league and rugby 7s, progressing from school sport pathways to international competition. She represented St Francis Xavier School, Goodna, before continuing her development at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School through the Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) system.

For more than 100 years, QRSS has provided competitive pathways across 21 sports, supporting students to access high-quality sporting opportunities each year. Its athlete portal serves as a central hub where school-aged athletes can learn, celebrate achievements and develop along representative pathways that have produced Olympic champions and elite athletes across multiple sports.

Through QRSS, Rhani progressed through district, regional and state pathways, earning selection for Queensland and Australian teams in touch football and rugby 7s.

In rugby 7s, Rhani represented Australia at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games, where the team won gold, marking a significant milestone in her representative career.

The achievement added to her growing list of honours and further established her presence within national school sport and youth representative pathways. That pathway is supported statewide by thousands of officials and school sport staff, helping create representative opportunities for students across Queensland.

*Australian women’s team win the Dubai Invitational with QAS supported athletes Rhani Hagan, Emmisyn Wynyard and Zoe Waters — coached by QAS Gen32 graduate coach Shannon Parry.*
*Photo Credit: Queensland Academy of Sports/Facebook*

Rhani, a young woman of the Quandamooka, Kullilli and Turrbal peoples, has also spoken publicly about her First Nations identity and the importance of her school and community connections. Her story reflects how cultural pride and sport can coexist throughout an athlete’s development.

Rhani has said she aspires to join the Australian Women’s Rugby 7s program and pursue an Olympic dream, continuing the progression that began through school sport in Goodna.

Published 15-Dec-2025

Vehicles Striking Homes on Queen Street Prompt Safety Push in Goodna

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Residents in Goodna are demanding the installation of guard rails on Queen Street after repeated vehicle crashes have damaged homes and placed lives at risk.

Pattern of Collisions Raises Alarm in Goodna

A recurring series of traffic incidents on Queen Street in Goodna has prompted renewed community calls for protective infrastructure. Since 2022, residents report that vehicles have crashed into properties along the street at least once a year, with two separate crashes occurring just six weeks apart in early 2025.

Goodna street crashes — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

In the most recent event, a vehicle veered off the road on Sunday and crashed into a fence. Authorities have launched an investigation and are urging the driver involved to contact police.

A previous incident on 31 March saw a car leave Queen Street and collide with a brick fence. The driver was penalised for failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle.

Documented Cases of Property Damage

Multiple past crashes have resulted in both property damage and hospitalisations. In March 2023, two people were taken to hospital after a car struck a home. In 2022, a retaining wall was damaged when a vehicle left the road, reportedly due to a medical incident.

One case saw a car crash into a living room, narrowly missing a one-year-old child. Another incident involved a truck and trailer, where the driver also suffered a medical episode.

Residents Demand Guard Rails

The community has taken to social media and public forums to voice concern. One resident noted that three neighbouring houses were impacted by separate crashes in a single month. Others have called for urgent council intervention to investigate the cause and implement safeguards.

Suggestions include installing guard rails, lowering speed limits, or combining both measures to protect homes from further incidents.

Council Response Pending

Ipswich City Council has been contacted regarding the incidents. No clear response or proposed solution has been announced. In the meantime, Queen Street residents continue to push for safety upgrades, citing ongoing risks to property and personal safety.

Published 13-May-2025

Flood Tuff Devices Installed in Goodna

Photo Credit: QLD Gov

With the threat of Cyclone Alfred overhead, authorities in Goodna are relying on innovative flood protection devices to shield critical electrical infrastructure from potential damage. The installation of Flood Tuff units is part of flood resilience measures ahead of expected heavy rainfall and potential inundation.

Flood Tuff Goodna — *Photo Credit: QLD Gov*

Learning from the 2022 Floods

The February 2022 floods saw Brisbane record almost 793mm of rain in just six days, inundating key transport corridors and causing widespread damage to Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) equipment. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) worked rapidly to restore operations but faced delays of up to 15 months due to supply chain shortages.

To prevent future disruptions, engineers designed the Flood Tuff system, drawing inspiration from Edmond Halley’s 1690 dive bell invention. The units, made from low-density polyethylene, can be quickly deployed and protect electrical infrastructure from water damage up to five metres in height.

How Flood Tuff Works

Flood Tuff units are lightweight, compact, and easily installed in high-risk flood zones. Developed in collaboration with Tri Underground and the University of Queensland, the design features an active pressure system powered by compressed air, ensuring continued protection even in extreme conditions.

According to the State, the ITS network is critical for managing traffic flow, speed regulations, and road safety signals. Ensuring these systems remain operational during flood events is essential for public safety and transport efficiency.

Community Reaction in Goodna

Locals have taken to social media to share their curiosity and concerns about the new installations. Some questioned their purpose, while others welcomed the initiative, given the area’s history of flooding. One Goodna resident wondered what they were, while another joked if the State could put a massive one over a house.

Future Implications and Preparedness

With 36 Flood Tuff units now manufactured and deployed across 29 sites in Queensland, the technology represents a proactive approach to flood resilience. Residents in Goodna and other flood-prone areas are advised to have emergency kits ready, stay updated with official warnings, and take necessary precautions.

Published 6-Mar-2025. Updated 8-Mar-2025.

Goodna Clinician and Miss Galaxy Finalist Advocates for Healthcare Reform

Greta Mukherjee, a Clinical Nurse and national finalist for Miss Galaxy Australia 2025 from Goodna, is using her platform to push for healthcare reform. Through her initiative, Unscripted Healthcare, she addresses workforce shortages, burnout, and systemic inequities, while breaking stereotypes in both healthcare and pageantry.

A Journey of Resilience and Leadership

Ms Mukherjee’s healthcare journey began at 18 when she moved to Australia for her degree, juggling multiple jobs—including frontline roles during the pandemic. She was accepted into a Doctor of Medicine program, but a serious car accident forced her to withdraw. Determined to continue making an impact, she rebuilt her career, becoming Clinical Coordinator for Alliance Community’s Southeast Queensland branch by 23, leading over 60 healthcare professionals in NDIS participant care and clinical assessments.

Greta Mukherjee — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Advocating for Systemic Change

Through Unscripted Healthcare, Ms Mukherjee sheds light on staff shortages, burnout, and workplace mistreatment. She highlights urgent concerns:

Australia could face a shortfall of 100,000 healthcare workers by 2025.
84% of healthcare professionals report experiencing burnout.
Workforce shortages hit vulnerable communities hardest, worsening inequities.

Her advocacy calls for better working conditions, stronger mental health support, and systemic reforms to ensure healthcare professionals and patients receive the care they deserve.

Breaking Stereotypes: Healthcare Meets Pageantry

As a Miss Galaxy Australia finalist representing Ipswich and Brisbane, Ms Mukherjee challenges the notion that healthcare professionals must fit a singular mould. She believes leadership and advocacy extend beyond clinics and hospitals, proving that diverse professionals belong in all spaces.

Championing Diversity in Healthcare

Proud of her Bengali heritage, Ms Mukherjee actively volunteers at community events like International Mother Language & Harmony Day, reinforcing the need for culturally inclusive healthcare. She emphasises that representation matters—both in leadership and patient care.

A National Stage for Change

As she prepares for the Miss Galaxy Australia finals in May, Ms Mukherjee remains committed to bringing healthcare reform into the mainstream. Whether through her clinical leadership, advocacy, or pageantry, she aims to drive lasting change in workforce policies, mental health support, and inclusivity within healthcare.

Published 27-Feb-2025

Goodna Units Demolished, Making Way for Green Space After Flood Buy-Back

Photo Credit: Queensland Government

In a significant step towards flood recovery and resilience, demolition has commenced on a unit complex in Goodna, marking the first community title scheme successfully acquired through the Voluntary Home Buy-Back programme.

Resilient Homes Fund Queensland — *Photo Credit: Queensland Government*

The Mill Street complex, severely affected by the February 2022 floods and deemed at high risk for future inundation, saw all 20 unit owners accept offers under the programme. Finalised in October 2023, this buy-back was part of the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund, a joint initiative by the Australian and Queensland governments established in the wake of the devastating 2021-2022 floods.

The fund prioritises properties most impacted and vulnerable to future flooding. After an assessment and homeowner agreement, Ipswich City Council purchased the Mill Street properties and land.

The site will now be cleared, with the land rezoned by the council for appropriate, non-residential purposes, likely to include green space. This transformation reflects a shift towards creating safer, more resilient communities in flood-prone areas.

The demolition is a milestone in the ongoing recovery efforts and demonstrates the commitment of both government levels to assisting residents in high-risk areas. The Resilient Homes Fund continues to provide crucial support to Queenslanders affected by the floods, offering a pathway to rebuild lives and communities in a safer environment.

Published Date 24-May-2024

First Legal Cannabis Cafe in Goodna Stirs Mixed Reactions

A new cannabis cafe that just opened at Queen Street in Goodna is already sparking heated debate among locals. The cafe, run by the company Professional Pot Smoker, bills itself as Australia’s first legal cannabis club and a safe space for medicinal marijuana users.

Read: Ipswich Hospital Launches SCOUT, a Revolutionary Breast Cancer Saviour

With 400 members already signed up, the exclusive Cannabis Club offers a membership-based program giving access to private locations across the country.

For a monthly fee of $4.20, club members can visit the inaugural Goodna location and other future sites to socialise, learn about cannabis from medical professionals, and attend cannabis-themed events.

Photo credit: Professional Pot Smoker/Facebook

However, the cafe’s proximity to shops and a primary school has some parents feeling concerned about exposing children to marijuana culture.

The founders stated on their website that they opened this club in response to a glaring lack of a safe, welcoming environment where medical marijuana patients can use their medication without discomfort, interact with medical cannabis experts to learn about their treatment, and connect with the larger community of medicinal users to which they belong.

“Our newly refined program aims to address this gap and provide a supportive environment for individuals seeking information, professional guidance, and a sense of community within the realm of medical cannabis,” they stated on the website.

Read: Mater Health Hub Helps Students Graduate Career-Ready in Healthcare

Cannabis has been legally available by prescription in Australia since 2016 to treat conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, and side effects from cancer treatment. However, social stigma and complicated access rules have meant relatively low patient numbers so far.

As the first of its kind, the Goodna cannabis cafe reflects evolving cultural attitudes toward marijuana’s therapeutic uses. But it also highlights the tensions that can arise as alternative treatments become more mainstream and visible in local communities.

Published 6-May-2024

Fire Investigation Underway at Western Spirit Football Club in Camira

An overnight fire has caused significant damage to the Western Spirit Football Club in Camira and authorities are conducting an investigation amidst allegations that this was the second deliberate act at the club’s grounds.

The Ipswich Police received an emergency call around midnight of 29 Dec 2023, prompting their immediate response to the Western Spirit Football Club. Upon arrival, they declared the area a crime scene, indicating the severity of the situation. Multiple buildings within the club’s facilities have been ravaged by the blaze, resulting in extensive damage.

One community member shared on social media that they had heard “three loud bangs” just before the facilities went “up in flames.” This recent incident closely follows a similar act in February 2023 when a storage container containing essential equipment such as mowers, line markers, goal nets, and balls was deliberately set on fire.

Whilst the specifics of the blaze’s origins are still being determined by fire investigators, initial findings strongly suggest a deliberate act of arson.

A spokesman for the Western Spirit Football Club expressed their dismay over the incident, revealing that the blaze destroyed the club’s changing rooms and toilet facilities. This loss not only disrupts the club’s operations but also affects its members and the broader community that relies on these amenities.

The financial burden of replacing damaged equipment diverts funds that could otherwise be invested in supporting junior players and reducing fees, directly impacting the club’s ability to serve the community.

The Ipswich police, alongside the football club and the community, are eager to uncover the truth behind these deliberate acts and ensure the safety and vitality of the Western Spirit Football Club for generations to come.

Published 2-Jan-2024

Goodna Street Life: Sustaining Community Support in Challenging Times

Photo Credit: Goodna Street Life/Facebook

Goodna Street Life, established in 2015, has emerged as a key organisation in the community by dedicating itself to providing housing and vital support to the homeless and vulnerable.

At the heart of Goodna Street Life’s mission are facilities like Helen’s Haven at 229 Brisbane Rd Goodna. This centre is not just a place of shelter but also a provider of essential services such as food, counselling, and support.

Additionally, The Haven offers the community affordable breakfast options, with every purchase contributing to the charity’s mission. Chef Kerryn, under Chef Steven’s guidance, ensures that each meal supports Goodna Streetlife’s wider community efforts.

Laurels Place, initiated in January 2022, has played a critical role in the community, especially during the 2022 floods, providing emergency accommodation to over 100 people. This initiative highlights Goodna Streetlife’s commitment to offering immediate help and protection during emergencies.

Addressing the Housing Crisis: A Significant Challenge

However, Queensland’s intensifying housing crisis has put Goodna Street Life at the forefront of a significant struggle.

Despite their persistent efforts, the charity confronts substantial challenges in keeping their services operational amidst escalating costs, underscoring the critical need for community backing. Richard Glover, a housing support officer, along with his team, are deeply involved in aiding Ipswich’s marginalised residents.

“I’ve asked my department to continue working with Goodna Street Life to assist them so they are stable, safe and compliant,” Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said. “Our frontline housing staff are on hand to assist residents if necessary.”

Engaging the Community: Upcoming Events

Looking ahead, Goodna Street Life is organising the Helen’s Haven Community Market on 3 Dec 2023. This event promises to bring the community together with a variety of stalls, Mega Op Shop Sales, and extended breakfast hours, contributing to the charity’s fundraising activities.

The narrative of Goodna Street Life is one of relentless dedication and unwavering support for the needy. In these challenging times, the importance of community involvement and assistance becomes ever more evident. The residents of Goodna and surrounding areas are encouraged to support this vital charity, helping to ensure the continuity of these essential services.

Published 23-Nov-2023