Ipswich events Archives - Springfield Lakes

Two Million Visits Mark Revitalised City Precinct in Ipswich

A major renewal milestone has been reached in Ipswich as the Nicholas Street Precinct recorded more than two million visits in the year following the opening of its Venue building.

Background on the Redevelopment

The Nicholas Street Precinct in Ipswich continued its long-term renewal with the opening of the Venue building in November 2024. This formed part of an ongoing effort to replace the former derelict mall with a modern mixed-use destination. The redevelopment links historic and cultural landmarks across Ipswich Central and includes new entertainment, dining and community spaces.

Venue building Ipswich — *Photo Credit: Nicholas Street*

Rising Visitation Numbers in Ipswich

In the 12 months following the Venue building’s opening, more than 521,000 visits were recorded at the facility. The wider precinct reached 2.12 million visitations during the same period, averaging nearly 6,000 visits per day. This represented growth of about 30 per cent since the area reopened in 2020.

The precinct now contains 21 operating businesses, with projections indicating an estimated $1.25 billion contribution to the local economy by 2032.

Ipswich redevelopment — *Photo Credit: Nicholas Street*

Community Events and Public Use

The precinct has served as a regular venue for community activities, with 30 events delivered across 67 days in the past year. Tulmur Place hosted seasonal programs, cultural celebrations, markets and youth-focused festivals.

One cultural event attracted approximately 6,500 attendees, while public commemorations and family-oriented activities continued to draw steady visitation. The Ipswich Central Library and Ipswich Children’s Library remained key attractions during these periods.

Expanded Dining and Leisure Options

Visitor numbers increased further in late 2025 after new dining venues opened within the precinct. In September, more than 326,000 visits were recorded, reflecting a nine per cent increase from the previous month and a 161 per cent rise compared with the same month in 2024.

The restoration of the heritage-listed Hotel Commonwealth added to this phase of growth.

Nicholas Street Ipswich — *Photo Credit: Nicholas Street*

Design Features and Amenities

The precinct’s features at Tulmur Place include a zero-depth water element, performance stage and a six-by-three metre LED screen. The area offers 1,000 undercover parking spaces and is located near the Ipswich Art Gallery, Top of Town, Riverheart Parklands and the Ipswich Civic Centre. The precinct was designed by Australian architectural firm Buchan Group.

Awards and Industry Recognition

In 2025, Nicholas Street Precinct received multiple awards recognising urban regeneration, social infrastructure development, commercial refurbishment, wayfinding design and hotel redevelopment. Previous awards between 2021 and 2024 acknowledged achievements in urban design, landscape architecture, tourism facilities, innovation and community service delivery.

Looking Ahead

With steady visitation, increasing tenancy activity and regular community participation, the precinct continues to play a key role in Ipswich. Further announcements regarding additional spaces and offerings are expected as development progresses.

Published 17-Nov-2025

Fatality Free Friday Comes to Orion Springfield Central for Safer Roads

Photo Credit: Australian Road Safety Foundation/Facebook

Every year, hundreds of Australians are killed in road crashes, and Orion Springfield Central is joining a national push to bring that number down to zero, if only for one day. The centre will host Fatality Free Friday on 30 May, a community safety event encouraging locals to commit to better choices behind the wheel.

A National Call for Safer Driving

Fatality Free Friday is led by the Australian Road Safety Foundation and is now in its 18th year. The campaign challenges drivers to think differently about how they act on the road. While the goal is to avoid any road deaths on a single day, organisers say the deeper aim is to create lasting change across every day of the year.

*Photo Credit: Australian Road Safety Foundation/Facebook*

In 2023, 1,273 people lost their lives on Australian roads. The campaign points to risky driving behaviours, known as the “Fatal Five”, as the most common cause of these crashes. These include speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distraction, not wearing seatbelts, and fatigue.

Local Action at Orion Springfield Central

To support this message, Queensland Police and local emergency services will run a public event at Orion Springfield Central from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is designed for families, young drivers and community members to learn more about road safety.

Police and emergency services will be at the event with displays, safety tips, and real-world insights into crash risks. Attendees can take a pledge to drive responsibly, while the Crime Prevention Unit will offer advice on managing distractions, fatigue, and safer choices in a relaxed, community-focused setting.

Community Commitment

Organisers say the strength of Fatality Free Friday lies in community involvement. The event at Orion Springfield is one of many happening across the country, but local participation gives it meaning. Every pledge taken is a small step toward preventing future harm.

While road safety campaigns often target offenders, this one is different. It asks everyone, not just drivers, to think about the choices they make around traffic, whether they’re crossing the street, cycling, or even riding as a passenger. The aim is to build habits early and reinforce them often.

A Reminder That One Day Can Make a Difference

Fatality Free Friday may focus on a single day each year, but it sends a clear message: road safety is a shared responsibility. By encouraging people to reflect on their driving habits, events like this one hope to change attitudes and ultimately save lives.

The team at Orion Springfield Central hopes the community turns out, gets involved, and leaves with knowledge that could protect them or someone they love.

Published 23-May-2025

Bats and Biodiversity Take Centre Stage in Springfield Lakes

Springfield Lakes residents will soon be turning their eyes — and ears — to the skies as they participate in a unique evening event designed to spotlight the quiet lives of local bats and other nocturnal wildlife.

The Bat Detective Walk, organized by Springfield Lakes Nature Care Inc. (SLNC) and held on Wednesday, 17 April from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., coincides with Bat Appreciation Day. The community event will take place around Regatta Lake and nearby conservation areas, offering participants a hands-on look at how bats are monitored and why they matter to the local ecosystem.

Shifting Public Perception about Bats

SLNC says bats are often misunderstood and commonly seen as pests or disease carriers. But in reality, bats are important in controlling insect populations and maintaining biodiversity. This event aims to educate the public while also collecting valuable data for ecological monitoring.

Before the walk begins, participants will get a brief introduction to bat species found in the Springfield Lakes area, along with the environmental threats they face. Organisers will also demonstrate how to use bat echodetectors, small handheld devices on loan from Titley Scientific, which are used to record high-frequency calls made by microbats that are usually beyond the range of human hearing.

*Photo Credit: Sharp Photography/Creative Commons 4.0*

A Walk with a Purpose

During the walk, small groups will move around the lake and through a nearby conservation reserve, using the detectors to identify bat calls. After sunset, a spotlight survey will be conducted to observe other nocturnal animals active in the area. All data collected, including bat call recordings, will be submitted to the iNaturalist platform, contributing to broader efforts to track and protect wildlife in the White Rock Spring Mountain Reserve.

At the end of the walk, the group will meet back at the BBQ shelter at Teenager Park, located at the corner of Waterside Drive and Lakeside Avenue, to review the audio recordings captured and discuss their findings. Light refreshments and cold drinks will be provided.

A Family-Friendly, Educational Outing

SLNC encourages families to attend and notes the event is suitable for all ages. Participants are asked to bring a smartphone, torch, and binoculars, and to wear closed-in shoes and clothing suitable for warding off mosquitoes. Parking is available off-street near the meeting point.

This event is part of SLNC’s ongoing efforts to engage the community in local conservation and biodiversity projects, offering everyday residents a chance to get involved in citizen science in a meaningful, hands-on way.

Published 15-April-2025