ipswich Archives - Page 12 of 13

Ipswich To Get New Multi-Million Defence Industry Hub

To support the defence industry within the region, there will be a new and innovative Defence Industry Hub at Fire Station 101 in Ipswich.

According to Annastacia Palaszczuk, Ipswich’s new $5-million Defence Industry Hub will open in early 2020 with the hopes of growing the area’s manufacturing capabilities and ensuring more jobs for the local community.

“My government remains laser focused on jobs for Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

“We’ve seen 3% jobs growth in the Ipswich region in the past year. But we know there is more to be done to ensure the Ipswich community has access to jobs into the future.”

Ipswich Defence Industry

Ipswich is the southern gateway to the defence enterprises of Queensland.

In fact, the region is home to Australia’s largest defence air base—RAAF Amberley, and the multi-million Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE), which is currently under construction at Redbank Plains.

Jennifer Howard, Member for Ipswich
Photo credit: Ipswich City Council/ Facebook

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said the city had a long and productive association with the defence sector.

“Defence represents a significant part of our history, our identity, our community and our future,” she said.

“As a sector, it already generates more than $1.4 billion in export value to our local economy, and nearly 10% of all employment in Ipswich is in the defence industry and associated supply chain.”

Defence Industry Hub

*Photo credit:https://www.ipswichfirst.com.au/*

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick stressed that the allocated budget for the new Defence Industry Hub will ensure more opportunities for small-to-medium enterprises to grow.

These enterprises can increase their share of national and global contracts which will then boost local employment and the economy.

“A total of $5 million has been allocated to the Hub, to assist local industry tap into the rapid growth of the defence industries sector and other defence supply chain opportunities, such as heavy vehicle manufacturing and maintenance, aerospace maintenance and the development of trusted autonomous systems,” Mr Dick said.

Ipswich Is Set to be Home of Queensland’s New Office for Veterans

As announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in October 2019, Queensland’s new Office for Veterans will be based in Ipswich.

After the extensive lobbying efforts made by Jennifer Howard (Member for Ipswich), the Premier has finally agreed to set up the Office for Veterans in Ipswich.

According to the Premier herself, Ms Howard made clear the advantages of having the office at Ipswich instead of any other regions in Queensland.

“Ipswich is a well-established defence hub and home to Australia’s largest RAAF base and Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s new headquarters, making it an ideal location to lead whole-of-government coordination on veterans’ matters,” the Premier said.

Ms Howard supported the Government’s decision by stating how this move is ideal considering the rapid growth of the region.

“Around 5000 people are employed at Amberley airbase and this will allow greater support for our growing defence community,” Ms Howard said.

About Queensland Office for Veterans

The Queensland Office for Veterans is the central point of contact and coordination for all policy issues and Queensland Government commitments relating to veterans.

The functions and services of the office include the following:

Provision of policy advice on veterans’ matters
Supporting employment of ex-Australian Defence Force members within the Queensland public service
Delivering the Queensland Veterans’ Memorial Grants Program
Leading whole-of-Government coordination on veterans’ matters
Providing a mechanism for veterans’ organisations to communicate with the Queensland Government.

Continuous Support for Queensland Veteran’s Program and Grants

The Palaszczuk Government is pleased with the overwhelming success of the Veterans’ Employment Pathway Program. Ever since this program started in July 2018, a total of 388 veterans have been employed in the Queensland public service, with nine of those positions in Ipswich.

Given its success, the Office for Veterans vows to continue and expand this program even more.

The Office for Veterans will also continue to deliver the Queensland Veterans’ Memorial Grants Program. This program aims to provide funding in order to restore, conserve and create monuments, memorials and other sites that acknowledge the contribution of our veterans.

Enjoy the Biggest Picnic in Town at the Ipswich Street Food, Beer & Music Fest

Spend an easy breezy afternoon and relax amongst your friends or family at the biggest outdoor picnic in town, the Ipswich Street Food, Beer & Music Fest!

Happening on Sunday, the 8th of Sept. 2019, this event will be elevating the Ipswich Sports Club as the ultimate foodie scene you shouldn’t miss.

Food trucks featuring 26 mobile chefs will be setting up shop at the greens. They’ll serve up food choices from different cuisines and some sweet treats that you won’t regret ruining your diet for.

*Photo Credit: The Design Collective Markets & Events/Facebook*

Of course, the Ipswich Street Food, Beer & Music Fest won’t be a party without the booze. Expect heaps of drinks to choose from at the outdoor pop-up bar.

Come and wear your most comfortable bottoms as this event is going to be a feast. However, there will be gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options as well because you can still enjoy a food fest whilst eating healthy.

In between your binge, you can browse at the maker market stalls or enjoy the live performances on stage.

The Ipswich Street Food, Beer & Music Fest will run from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is a free-entry and dog-friendly event. Don’t forget your picnic blanket or camping chair to be more comfortable as you eat, drink and dance!

The event is organised by The Design Collective Markets & Events. Follow the updates on which establishments and performers are going to be at the fest on their official site.

Ipswich City Council Calls for Submission of Entries for the Upcoming Ipswich Film Festival for Youth 2019

Let your child’s creativity flow by joining Ipswich City Council’s Ipswich Film Festival for Youth (IFFY) 2019.

This film festival is accepting entries from youth members who are aged 7 to 25 years old. All participants who are interested in joining the festival must submit a short film with their friends under the theme of “FUTURE— What is Possible”.

The Ipswich City Council will be accepting entries until Friday, 20 September 2019; whilst the Ipswich Film Festival for Youth short film screening and awarding ceremony will take place on Saturday, 19 October 2019, at The Circle in Robelle Domain.

Age Group Categories

For this year’s film festival, the Council have decided to split up the competition into 3 age groups with different categories on each level. Below are the listed categories for IFFY 2019:

7 – 11 Years

Best Picture (age overall winner)
Share It (social media format – phone video recordings in portrait or landscape)
Single Shot (60 seconds non-stop)
Silent Film (black and white with no audio)

12 – 17 Years

Best Picture (age overall winner)
Documentary (storytelling)
Sci-Fi
School Entry (school groups only)

18 – 25 Years

Best Picture (age overall winner)
Documentary (storytelling)
Music Video (video to suit the soundtrack Evolution (this is a royalty-free soundtrack, but entrants must credit Bensound)
Animation/Stop Motion (comic or computer animated)

Prizes

A major prize of GoPro will be awarded for each age group category. Minor prizes will also be given at the festival, and these include various gift cards that are worth $3,600.

Ipswich Film Festival for Youth — *Photo credit: Ipswich City Council/ Facebook*

How to Enter

Each participant must create and upload their own entry video or videos online via Film Freeway. Submission of entries is open until 20 September 2019.

The length of the short film must be1 to 3 minutes with a maximum size of 10GB. The following video formats are accepted: MPEG4, MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV.

Judging Criteria

All submitted entries will be judged conducted according to the following criteria:

Use of the theme 25%
Use of storytelling 25%
Use of editing 25%
Use of visual and audio effects 25%

Members of the judging panel for Ipswich Film Festival for Youth 2019 are: Mikaele Lese, EJ Garrett, and Connor Fairclough.

For more information about the judges and the terms and conditions of IFFY 2019, click here.

State Budget Backs Jobs for Ipswich

Job-generating infrastructure and frontline services are the focal points of the State Government’s 2019-20 Budget allocation for Ipswich.

Speaking to local businesses and community members last 15 July at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club, Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said that the Budget will deliver large investment in jobs, infrastructure, and frontline services throughout Ipswich.

“We’re investing in job-generating infrastructure and the frontline services that the Ipswich region needs,” Ms Trad said.

“Over the next 12 months Palaszczuk Government will invest nearly $896 million in local infrastructure and support an estimated 2000 jobs in the process.”

Local business is also an important focus of the Budget, Ms Trad said, particularly with the $885 million Payroll Tax Package that is meant to help 270 Ipswich businesses absorb additional workers.

*Photo Credit: The State of Queensland 1995–2019 / budget.qld.gov.au/highlights*

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 is expected to support around 2,000 jobs in the region.

“This Budget will invest $642.8 million in health for this region and almost $107.3 million to maintain and upgrade schools in the Ipswich region.

“Our investment in frontline services has delivered 524 extra nurses, 164 new doctors, 556 additional teachers and 221 extra teacher aides, based right here in Greater Ipswich since 2015,” Ms Trad added.

*Photo Credit: Kgbo [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)] / Wikimedia Commons*

Ipswich also stands to benefit from the $238-million Ipswich Motorway upgrade which includes the construction of additional lanes between Oxley Road and Granard Road, in partnership with the Australian Government.

A total of $60.6 million will be allocated in 2019-20 out of the $94.1-million total investment towards the construction of the first stage of two new school.

*CleanCo | Photo Credit: Energy – Queensland / Facebook*

“We’re also delivering a major overhaul to the Swanbank E electricity generator and Wivenhoe Dam as part of the new publicly owned, low emissions CleanCo electricity generation company,” Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said.

CleanCo Queensland is the State Government’s latest publicly-owned electric generation and trading company. Capital projects in 2019-20 include $3.626 million for maintenance and overhauls at Wivenhoe and $52.25 million for the Swanbank E major overhaul, Fast Start Upgrade and other projects.

Apart from the already mentioned, other major projects funded in the 2019-20 Budget include:

$2.53 million for additional classrooms at Springfield Central State High School.
$550,000 to upgrade Woodcrest State College.
Over $1,000,000 to upgrade schools across the Jordan electorate.
$869,171 as part of a $2,625,943 commitment over four years to provide Mental Health Funding Program services
$7.2 million capital, safety and maintenance investment in training infrastructure at Ipswich TAFE.
$2.4 million 2019-20 to upgrade Springfield Central train station park ‘n’ ride facility to provide an additional 650 car spaces, at a total cost of $44.5 million.

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.

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.

Ipswich Residents Lauds Council’s Junking of Request for Higher Landfill Pile at Swanbank

The 22^nd of February 2019 was an auspicious date for Ipswich residents as the administrator of the Ipswich City Council rejected the application of a waste disposal company for a higher landfill pile at Swanbank site.

Bio-Recycle Australia Pty Ltd has a landfill site for its non-biodegradable wastes at its Memorial Drive, Swanbank facility. The existing approval allows for the disposal of items such as construction and demolition wastes, and clean fill, and may contain limited amounts of acid sulphate soils, asbestos contaminated soil, asbestos sheeting, and drill mud.

In January 2019, Bio-Recycle sought to increase the landfill height by 27 metres, but this was rejected by the Council. It is now the subject of an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court.

Dust from Dumps — *Photo credit: I.R.A.T.E. – Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments/Facebook*

In the meantime, the waste disposal company applied for a 5-metre extension of landfill height. This would have put the current mound above its normal ground level had it been approved.

A council spokesman said, “This increase in landfill height is likely to have visual impacts, particularly with regard to future residential observers, including those likely to be living within residential high density built forms.”

“No consideration has been given to these visual impacts of the landfill during the operational or establishment phase.

“The applicant has also failed to demonstrate that there is a need to extend the life of the existing facility by increasing the landfill height from the approved level,” the spokesman added.

Residents Band Together — *Photo credit: I.R.A.T.E. – Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments/Facebook*

With a city labelled as the Dumping Capital of Queensland, Ipswich residents have ceaselessly rallied for years now against Ipswich becoming the dumping ground for interstate rubbish. The proliferation of dumps have resulted in health, hygiene, pollution, and environmental issues that are affecting the residents’ quality of life.

The Council’s rejection of Bio-Recycle’s bid to bring in more trash is an indication that people’s voices still matter. Residents are grateful that ICC has taken a positive step towards their side.

Meanwhile, the residents’ battle against dust, noise, and stinking odour problems continues.

MUD World Returns to Ipswich for Another Fun-Filled Festival for Muddlings

MUD World returns to Ipswich on the 9th and 10th of February 2019 at the Limestone Park.

This two-day festival for kids offers a variety of unstructured mud play activities that will surely provide the entire family heaps of fun!

MUD World Realms

Kids are free to explore and play, at their own pace, around the five realms of MUD World:

Muddy Monsterland – a playground designed for kids to do mud sketching and mud sculpting. This area is perfect for our little muddlings and budding artists.

Village of Mud – a large pit and puddle of mud where kids and supervising adults can play, splash and roll. Kids can also participate in a mud soccer program offered by Ginger Sports.

Mud Mania – a muddy realm for courageous muddlings looking for a more exhilarating mud adventure. Run, duck, and dive through the mud maze and indulge yourself with the muckiness of this realm. Goggles and supportive pads will be supplied.

Land Slide – a realm for speed and fun as your kids slide down the slippery slopes of mud.

The Great Muddy Mountain Range – play, slide, and climb up and down over a huge pile of mud in this realm.

To guarantee the safety of the young participants, all children must be supervised by a parent or guardian all throughout the event, with a ratio of 1 adult to every 2 children.

This fun family event caters to children 14 years old and below, with a specific area dedicated for muddling babies and toddlers.

Given the success of the previous run of the Mud World, organizers are expecting this year’s event to attract more than 7,000 attendees, coming from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.

Mud World is sponsored by the State Government and hosted by Nature Play Queensland.

Ticket Information

Below is the ticket price list for Mud World:

Child	$27.50 (+BF)
Supervising Adult	$5.50 (+BF)

To give you and your children the best possible experience at the Mud World, tickets are sold in sets of 2-hour per session. Please note that the registration will open at the start time of your chosen session.

Saturday (9 Feb 2019)

Session 1 – 8:30am – 10:30am

Session 2 – 11:30am – 1:30pm

Session 3 – 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Sunday (10 Feb 2019)

Session 1 – 8:30am – 10:30am

Session 2 – 11:30am – 1:30pm

Session 3 – 2:30pm – 4:30pm

You may book your tickets online here.

Please visit Nature Play Queensland for more information on Mud World Ipswich 2019.

Track Closures Scheduled on Ipswich, Springfield, and Inner City Lines

Starting from the first service on Saturday, 22 December 2018 until the last service on Saturday, 29 December 2018, there will be track closures on the Ipswich, Springfield, and Inner City lines.

Railbuses will be replacing trains between the affected stations so commuters can plan their journey in advance. Timetables will also be available to inform commuters about the schedule of the arrival times.

Take note that normal services will resume from the first service on Sunday, 30 December 2018.

Plan Your Journey

Check if the closures will affect your journey. Following are the dates and the lines that are part of the closure:

Ipswich and Springfield line track closure
Saturday, 22 December to Monday, 24 December 2018

Railbus timetables and stop locations.

Ipswich, Springfield and Inner City line track closure
Tuesday, 25 December to Wednesday, 26 December 2018

Railbus timetables and stop locations.

Ipswich and Springfield line track closure
Thursday, 27 December to Friday, 28 December 2018

Railbus timetables and stop locations.

Ipswich, Springfield and Inner City line track closures
Saturday, 29 December 2018

If your journey will be affected by the closures, make sure to plan in advance and allow time to transfer between bus and train services. Check TransLink’s Journey Planner for further information.

Railbus timetables and stop locations.

Improvement Works

Track closures are part of the improvement works on Queensland Rail’s network. Train signals between Roma Street and Corinda stations will be upgraded and new track crossovers will be installed near the Milton station.

The benefits of these upgrades include:

replacement of old signals infrastructure, some of which is over 50 years old
integration of signals with new, sophisticated train control systems
installation of new track crossovers, eliminating congestion and potential delays.

To know more about the improvement project, visit the Queensland Rail website.