Ipswich City Council Archives - Page 2 of 2

Springfield Greenbank Arterial Project: Major Road Duplication to Prioritise Stage 3

Key roads in the Springfield region will undergo major upgrades in 2021 under the Springfield Greenbank Arterial (SGA) Duplication project. Work will start with Stage 3, which covers Eden Station Drive to Sinnathamby Boulevard.

According to MP Charis Mullen, the Ipswich City Council decided to change the SGA sequencing to start with Stage 3 “given the other major projects in the area.”

“This was in a letter sent to residents recently,” Ms Mullen said.

Stage 3’s key features include the following:

Road widening to four lanes
Springfield Greenbank Arterial/Main Street/Centenary Highway roundabout upgraded with signalised intersection
New entrance/exit at the Springfield Central Railway Station carpark
Construction of road cycle lanes for cyclists and pedestrians

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) plans to erect a multi-storey carpark at the Main Street intersection before the roadwork begins.

This Springfield Greenbank Arterial project is necessary to meet the travel demands that will come with city’s rapid growth.

“The overall project includes 3.9 km of road duplication and shared path upgrades. The project is set to be the largest single road project in the Council’s history,” the fact sheet stated. “With such a large capital cost to the Council, if delivered in a single year, the project would consume over half of the typical capital works budget. By spreading the costs across a number of stages, the project can be delivered over multiple years, and allows for Council to continue to deliver its usual portfolio of new roads, road rehabilitation, open space, drainage and facilities project.”

The timing of construction will still be determined but it is approximated to take 12 months to complete.

For questions about the Springfield Greenbank Arterial project, phone 07 3810 6666 or email IED.Projects@ipswich.qld.gov.au.

DA Approved For Six-Storey Tower In Ipswich CBD

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

Ipswich City Council has given the green light to transform a block on the corner of Limestone and Ellenborough streets into a multi-use six-storey commercial tower.

The 1,189 sqm development at 90 Limestone Street will feature a restaurant/bistro and small shop on the first floor and commercial offices in the remainder of the building. It will also have 42 car spaces over two levels, 29 of which are on the basement and the 13 others on the first floor.

90 Limestone Street (Photo Credit: pdonline.ipswich.qld.gov.au)

Whilst the approved development exceeds the three-storey height limit for the site, it is considered a ‘landmark’ site due to its location.

“The height of the proposal has been assessed, taking into consideration the nearby courthouse development (7 storeys), and the significant view corridors present through this location,” Baird & Hayes Surveyors and Town Planners noted in the report on behalf of The Ernst Pfister Superfund.

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

The application also mentioned that the prominent trees within the 88 Limestone Street property, on the Ellenborough Street alignment known to be white fig will not be impacted by the development. These trees are approximately 120 years old and play a significant role in the established character of Ipswich.

“The intention or objective for the Ipswich CBD area is for it to remain as the administrative and cultural centre for the Western Corridor of SEQ, as well as act as the main retail and commercial centre for Ipswich’s centre, western suburbs and surrounding rural areas,” Baird & Hayes noted.

Construction of the new building will commence after the demolition of the existing structure (currently an Autobarn retailer and Tattoo Studio).

Further information about this approved development can be viewed at MCU – 6645 / 2019.

New Mural Brings Colour to Ellenborough Street in Ipswich

Sam Songailo in front of the large mural in Ellenborough Street (Photo Credit: ipswichfirst.com.au)

A colourful new mural is now on display in Ellenborough Street in Ipswich. The wall, previously covered with faded pictures of Hollywood movie stars, has been transformed into a vibrant piece of art with its retro-futuristic theme.

Ipswich City Council commissioned Queensland born artist Sam Songialo to paint the mural in Ipswich CBD. They chose Mr Songialo for his visually compelling design that is best suited for the wall’s grid pattern. Council also sought advice from public art consultant Simon Koger to help shape the strategic direction of the public art in the CBD.

Mr Songialo’s design is “retro future,” which according to him was inspired by all the ‘80s clothes and surf wear his mum never bought him when he was young. This design is considered one of a kind in South East Queensland.

The mural, being the first of the three public arts planned for CBD, is part of the Public Art Strategy and Plan for the Nicholas St redevelopment. It revolves around the theme “Shine,” which symbolizes the growth and evolution of Ipswich’s history and culture, reflecting on the journey of change and development over time.

The second mural will be painted at 143 Brisbane Street, a building at the top of Nicholas Street owned by Council. Presently, they are still developing the concept for this mural. The third is in the arts selection phase, but it will be an Indigenous mural.

Ipswich City Council Acting Chief Executive Officer Sean Madigan revealed that the three murals are just the beginning of the public art being planned in CBD. Locals can expect more large scale murals to be located in a prominent position in the civic space adjacent to the new Council administration building.

Council wanted to bring life to spaces that are currently unused. They will also come up with workshops during the Brisbane Street Art Festival, so residents will have opportunities to be involved.

For more information about the project visit the Ipswich First website.

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.

Approved Springfield Developments for 2019

Photo Credit: Wes Palmer / Skyepics.com.au/ Wikimedia Commons

Springfield is currently one of the best Ipswich suburbs for property investment. A well-planned area with great community spirit, the central part of Springfield is expected to to be the work, study and services hub of a catchment of 350,000 people by 2036.

As early as now, developers are working on a number of developments in this thriving suburb. Here are some of the approved Springfield developments to look forward to in 2019:

Springfield Lakes Townhouses

The Ipswich City Council has approved the development application for Lakeside Vista, a 118-dwelling at 17 Springfield Lakes Boulevard, 15 and 17 View Point Drive, and 13 Spring Ave, Springfield Lakes.

Located within the heart of Springfield Lakes, My MG Homes described it as a “very unique community” that will be highly sort after. Close to schools, health and tertiary education facilities, the site is less than two kilometres away from the Springfield Central Railway Station and Orion Shopping Centre.

Health City

Springfield’s Health City will have a living lab and more public hospital places, as well as another university. The 52-ha site will be designed by Broadway Malyan, who will be working in Australia for the first time following 10 years working in the Asia Pacific region.

The masterplan includes medical office buildings, and facilities dedicated to aged care, hospitality and wellness, education, research and business, startups and incubators. Residential space is incorporated throughout the development as well as complementary retail and leisure. Broadway Malyan said in their website that it will be delivered between now and 2030.

Read: Quest Hotels in Greater Springfield Opens, Health City Rapidly Taking Shape

Multi-Purpose Hall at Springfield Central State High School

Photo credit: epathway/ipswich.qld.gov.au

The state government has committed $6.9 million in funding for the new multi-purpose hall, which will have retractable basketball backboards, a scoreboard, and sprung sports floors. The hall will also have various amenities, an office, and meeting rooms.

The 3,566 sqm hall, which will be be built by HUTCHINSON Builder would be built on campus in partnership with Education Queensland. It is expected to be finished by 2020.

Parkside Apartments

Photo credit: Springfield City Group/greaterspringfield.com.au

The Springfield City Group is now working on the second stage of the Parkside Apartments after the Ipswich City Council approved the development application.

The 74-unit structure will include an apartment building, commercial spaces, medical centre, general store and real estate office as well as restaurants.

Brookwater Childcare Centre

A new childcare centre will be built along 22 Magnolia Drive, Brookwater. The plan is to accommodate up to 105 children. Once completed, the centre will be operating from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm weekdays.

This will address the growing demands for childcare facilities in Brookwater, because there is only one operating childcare facility in the suburb as of writing.

Kalina community

Photo credit: Kalina Springfield/ Facebook

Stockland has been working on building Kalina Springfields since September 2018. The $121-million development will feature a scenic network of walking and cycling trails winding past bushland and a 5000-sqm central park.

Aside from the beautiful natural surrounds, Kalina has easy access to established schools, medical facilities, parks and public transport.

Additional Classrooms

The Council recently approved the plans for a three-level flexible learning space at St Peters Lutheran College, designed by the McLellan Bush Architects. The college, located at 42 Wellness Way, Springfield Central, will undergo two stages of development.

Veris said the planned development will utilise existing on-site services such as car parking, pedestrian pathways and basic utilities. The existing demountable building will be removed once the new building is constructed.

Springfield Rise

Lendlease received an approval from the Ipswich City Council for an additional 350 lots across Sunset Ridge and The Boulevard for Springfield Rise.

The estate is expected to home about 12,000 people in 4,000 homes across 12 addresses. Besides the Sunset Ridge and The Boulevard, the company will also be developing across Creekwood, Park Lane, Forest Ridge and The Highlands. The other six will be announced in the days to come.

Springfield Central Library To Introduce the nextLEVEL Festival

Big plans are underway for the newly-opened Springfield Central Library. Following its opening last month, the newest and the first public library in the region will deliver a more enriching learning experience for the community. One of their initiatives is the nextLEVEL festival, which will open on the weekend of 6-7 October and will last throughout early 2019.

The event is a micro festival of gaming and game development, organised through the State Library of Queensland’s Public Library Strategic Priorities Grant program.

With $24,355 in funding, the Ipswich City Council will be able to deliver an innovative and fresh opportunity to the community that will let improve their skills whilst they unleash their creativity.

A total grant of $450,000 this financial year is available, which can be tapped by all councils to enable them to deliver strategic initiatives through public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) across the state.

This year, the council received 35 applications. But only a number of councils were chosen such as:

Barcaldine
Brisbane
Burdekin
Cassowary Coast
Charters Towers
Cook
Douglas
Gold Coast
Ipswich
Logan
Maranoa
McKinlay
Palm Island
Rockhampton
Tablelands
Toowoomba
Whitsunday

The projects that these libraries must implement should revolve around the themes in The Next Horizon: Vision 2017 for Public Libraries or programs that support the OPAL Program objectives. They could also be about such diverse fields as micro-festival of gaming, business development and entrepreneurial skills for young adults and STEM events featuring virtual reality.

Plans for the Shared Springfield Multi-Purpose Hall Revealed

Designs for the multimillion-dollar, multipurpose hall that would be shared by Springfield Central State High School and Ipswich City Council are currently being reviewed.

The project is a part of the government’s Advancing Queensland State Schools initiative where the government has allocated $200 million to fund land acquisitions for new schools, along with 30 new and refurbished school halls.

An artist’s impression for a multipurpose hall at Springfield Central State High School. Photo credit: epathway.ipswich.qld.gov.au

The state government has committed a $6.9-million funding for the project and following Division 9 – Councillor Sheila Ireland’s campaign for council funding last year, the Council is expected to provide an additional $2 million towards the project.

Councillor Sheila Ireland said that “When completed this new multi-purpose hall would also allow for the not for profit sector to undertake important outreach services.”

The 3,566 sqm multi-purpose hall will be built on campus with the help of Education Queensland.

According to Charis Mullen MP – State Member for Jordan, the hall is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2019 school year.

Plans for the multi-purpose hall include retractable basketball backboards, a scoreboard, and sprung sports floors. The hall will also have various amenities, an office, and meeting rooms.