Springfield Lakes Archives - Springfield Lakes

New Redbank First Aid Training Venue Opens for Brisbane’s Western Corridor

My First Aid Course has opened a new training venue in Redbank, giving residents across Springfield Lakes, Goodna, Collingwood Park, Riverview, Ipswich and surrounding western corridor suburbs a locally accessible option for CPR and first aid certification without travelling into central Brisbane.

The Redbank venue is one of two new locations the Brisbane-based provider has recently launched, alongside a new venue at 74 Station Road in Indooroopilly.

Together they bring My First Aid Course’s Brisbane network to eight locations, spanning the city’s north, south, east and now its western and inner-western corridors, with the Redbank site sitting closest to the outer south-west growth suburbs.

Easier access for the western growth corridor

My First Aid Course trainer Mal Thompson said convenience is what ultimately determines whether people stay current with their first aid certification. “If people can attend closer to home, they are more likely to stay current and more likely to remember what to do when it counts,” he said.

“The first few minutes of an emergency matter. We want more people to feel confident stepping in, whether that is at work, at a sports field, at home, or in a shopping centre.”

That friction — the time, the parking, the distance — is particularly real for the western corridor. Springfield Lakes alone has grown substantially since its first residential stages opened in the late 1990s, and its residents work across construction, logistics, healthcare, childcare, disability support, aged care and retail, industries where first aid certification is often a mandatory workplace requirement.

The Redbank venue runs bi-weekly first aid and CPR courses, delivering both standard and advanced workplace-ready training, giving the corridor reliable and regular access rather than an occasional offering.

A training model built around flexibility

My First Aid Course uses a blended learning format, with most theory completed online at each student’s own pace, followed by a short practical assessment at the venue. The HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course, the standard requirement for most workplaces, schools and community organisations, requires a two-hour practical session after online pre-reading is complete.

The CPR-only course (HLTAID009) requires a short face-to-face practical session in person.

The practical component covers CPR technique, defibrillator awareness, emergency scenario management and hands-on skills that cannot be developed through online learning alone.

Certificates are issued the same day on weekdays when online prerequisites are completed in advance, making it straightforward for workers who need documentation quickly for a new role or compliance renewal.

The provider has 30 years of professional training experience, and all trainers hold the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Courses are delivered through Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909, a nationally registered training organisation, meaning certificates are recognised across Queensland and Australia.

The courses now available in Redbank

The Redbank venue offers CPR (HLTAID009, currently $49), first aid (HLTAID011, $98), childcare first aid (HLTAID012, $123) and advanced first aid, covering the full range of certifications most residents and workplaces in the western corridor are likely to need. Onsite group bookings are also available for workplaces wanting to train multiple staff members without requiring them to travel.

For small businesses, childcare centres, trade teams and community organisations in Springfield Lakes and surrounding suburbs, having a venue this close makes compliance renewals considerably easier to manage.

To book or view upcoming course dates at the Redbank venue, click here.

Published 20-May-2026

Springfield Commuters Hit Hard as Queensland Rail Cuts Nearly 300 Train Services

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Queensland Rail has shifted the network to a modified Saturday-style timetable, axing 273 train services and cutting Springfield Line peak frequencies from every six minutes to every 15, with no confirmed end date in sight for commuters travelling between Springfield Central, Springfield, Richlands and Darra.

For Springfield Lakes, Springfield, Richlands and Darra commuters who depend on the Springfield Line to reach the city for work, the cut represents a significant daily disruption with no confirmed end date. Queensland Rail says the reduction is necessary because 42 three-car sets are currently offline awaiting maintenance, leaving 20 per cent of the train fleet unavailable.

“The simple fact of the matter is that we do not have enough trains to run our full timetable,” Queensland Rail head of corporate affairs Nev Conway said.

Behind the service cuts

The timetable cuts, which will take effect on Tuesday 5 May, stem from a maintenance backlog Queensland Rail attributes to rolling industrial action by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), involving 880 notices of industrial action lodged against the network. All three unions are in a wage dispute affecting maintenance workers across the Queensland Rail network.

The unions dispute that characterisation. The ETU argues that Queensland Rail’s decision to withhold pay from employees for performing partial duties, communicated to workers on Friday morning, is the direct cause of the timetable collapse. The AMWU echoes that position, arguing the disruption stems from poor planning rather than strike action alone.

“The AMWU has made it clear for weeks that industrial action can be withdrawn if agreement is reached on just two key classification-based claims,” an AMWU spokesperson said. “Commuters are paying the price.”

Queensland Rail last week also cut train capacity from six-car to three-car sets before this week’s further reduction in services. The timetable will be cut again if the maintenance backlog continues to grow.

For Springfield Line commuters

From Tuesday 5 May until further notice, Springfield Line services run every 15 minutes during morning and afternoon peak hours, and every 30 minutes off-peak. Trains will be more crowded due to the simultaneous reduction in service frequency and the use of three-car sets instead of six-car sets. Commuters should expect delays at platforms and allow additional travel time, particularly during peak windows.

Airtrain services remain unaffected by the timetable changes.

Queensland Rail has issued 471 return-to-work notices to its maintenance workforce, with 490 maintenance employees facing loss of pay if they continue to participate in strike action.

Planning your trip this week

Commuters on the Springfield Line are strongly advised to check the TransLink journey planner before leaving home each day, as live updates to services will continue to be published there. Services may be reduced further if the backlog of maintenance work continues to grow.

The situation is being reviewed against a union response deadline of 7 May. Until an agreement is reached, the reduced timetable will remain in place.

For live service updates, click here or download the TransLink app. Replacement bus services are operating at some stations to manage overflow demand.

Published 4-May-2026

Springfield Families Set to Welcome First Babies at New Mater Hospital

Pexels

Mater Hospital Springfield on Health Care Drive is days away from welcoming its first babies, with Mater Mothers’ Springfield set to open, giving families across Greater Springfield, Ipswich and West Moreton access to maternity services they have never had locally before.

The opening marks one of the most significant milestones in the community’s history. For more than a decade, Springfield families expecting a baby have had no choice but to travel to Brisbane, Ipswich or Logan to give birth. That changes this week, with six birthing suites, a 16-bed maternity ward, a 16-cot Neonatal Critical Care Unit and a 24-hour Pregnancy Assessment Centre all coming online on level five of the new hospital.

Mater Hospital Springfield General Manager Suzanne Hawksley said the moment had been years in the making.

“It’s hard to believe we will soon be welcoming our first babies,” Hawksley said. “We are all excited to be part of such a huge moment for Springfield and its wonderful families.”

Antenatal clinics have already been running at the hospital since it began its staged opening on 13 April, meaning some expectant mothers are already familiar with the building where they will give birth.

A hospital built for one of Australia’s fastest-growing communities

The nine-storey Mater Hospital Springfield represents a $1 billion investment in healthcare for the western corridor, comprising $393 million in capital funding and a $638 million operational commitment over the first four years, alongside a $26 million land contribution from Mater. Construction was completed by John Holland, with more than 100 staff already onsite for training, simulations and onboarding before each service opened.

Once fully operational, the hospital will carry 186 public beds, a 54-bay Emergency Department, and is forecast to handle around 185,000 patient presentations annually. The maternity service alone is expected to deliver approximately 1,700 babies each year.

The facility employs more than 1,000 staff including over 500 nurses and midwives, and more than 130 doctors. The Springfield Lakes News estimates the hospital will increase employment across Greater Springfield by around eight per cent.

Mater Group CEO Julia Strickland-Bellamy said the hospital reflects the organisation’s longstanding commitment to communities experiencing rapid growth.

“Mater Hospital Springfield will transform health services across the western corridor, delivering high-quality care in the heart of the community,” Strickland-Bellamy said.

Care closer to home for Springfield families

Mater Mothers’ Springfield is part of Australia’s largest maternity service network. The Springfield campus offers six birthing suites, two of which include birthing baths with mood lighting and Bluetooth connectivity, alongside a 16-bed inpatient maternity ward, a 24-hour Pregnancy Assessment Centre and a 16-cot Neonatal Critical Care Unit for babies requiring lifesaving care or born prematurely.

For the first time, families in the catchment, Greater Springfield, parts of Ipswich and West Moreton, can now access the full Mater Mothers’ service from antenatal appointments through to birth and postnatal care without leaving their community.

The Mater Health Hub in Springfield, a two-minute drive from the main hospital, provides additional support including a Fourth Trimester Essentials programme, women’s health physiotherapy and a drop-in breastfeeding clinic.

Mater has been part of the Springfield community since 2015, when it opened Mater Private Hospital Springfield as the master-planned city’s first hospital. That campus grew from an 80-bed facility into an integrated private precinct. The new public hospital on the adjacent site completes the vision.

What’s still to come

The maternity opening on 11 May is not the hospital’s final milestone. The Emergency Department and paediatric ward open on 25 May 2026, completing the full service rollout. The paediatric unit is expected to handle around 2,500 inpatient admissions annually, covering conditions including chest infections, asthma, epilepsy, croup and jaundice.

Mater Hospital Springfield is at Health Care Drive, Springfield Central. For service information, visiting hours and updates as the hospital continues its staged opening, visit mater.org.au/hospitals/mater-hospital-springfield.

Published 28-April-2026

Springfield Lakes Grandmother Allegedly Targeted in Armed Home Invasion While Undergoing Chemotherapy

Queensland Police/Facebook

A 62-year-old grandmother receiving cancer treatment was allegedly confronted by two armed intruders who broke into a Jupiter Street home in Springfield Lakes at around 3.30am on Saturday, with a 15-year-old local boy since charged over the alleged offence.

Linda Bray had been staying at her daughter’s home while undergoing chemotherapy when two offenders allegedly forced entry into the property armed with knives and a meat cleaver. Rather than speaking, one of the alleged intruders held a phone up to Bray’s face with a typed message: “This is a robbery.” The pair allegedly claimed to be part of a group of four and told her the family, including her grandchildren, were being held hostage elsewhere.

“That to me rips my heart out, they’re my grandbabies,” Bray said.

Despite the terror of the situation, Bray managed to find some dark humour in how the night ended. The pair allegedly stole a wallet, car keys, children’s shoes and a vape before attempting to make off with a vehicle parked outside. They abandoned the effort almost immediately after realising the car was a manual.

“They moved it back about a metre and then obviously worked out it was a manual and there was no ‘just put it into drive’ moment,” Bray said. “That was the funniest part.”

A Family Left Shaken

Bray was not physically injured during the alleged incident, but her daughter Sabra Brookes has spoken plainly about what the ordeal could have meant for her mother’s health. Chemotherapy places enormous physical and psychological strain on a patient, and unexpected trauma carries real medical risk.

Stock photo of a patient getting chemotherapy — *Photo Credit: Freepik*

“These people could have just stopped you getting life-saving treatment,” Brookes said.

The weight of that sits differently when the victim is already fighting for her health. Bray is mid-treatment, staying with family precisely because she needs support, and the home she was staying in on Jupiter Street became the scene of an alleged violent robbery in the early hours of a Saturday morning.

Teen Charged, Second Offender Still at Large

Queensland Police charged a 15-year-old Springfield Lakes boy on Monday afternoon. He faces two counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence, along with one count each of entering a dwelling with intent while armed and armed robbery. He is being dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

The second alleged offender has not yet been located, and investigations remain ongoing. Police are urging anyone who was in the area of Jupiter Street, Springfield Lakes, on Saturday morning and has CCTV or dashcam footage, or anyone with information about the incident, to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 16-April-2026

Springfield Lakes Playground Puts Local Students on Path to Olympic Sport

The sound of schoolyard play has taken on a different rhythm in Springfield Lakes, as students at Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School move across ropes, bars and walls in ways that echo a sport headed for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

On April 23, that energy took shape during a guided session led by Emma Teede, president of Obstacle Australia and a former Australian Ninja Warrior competitor, at the school’s new Ninja Warrior Playground. Students worked through the course step by step, gripping climbing holds, testing their balance and building the strength needed to complete each section.

It might look like play at first glance, but it reflects a wider shift in sport, where obstacle racing is becoming part of modern pentathlon at the Olympic level.

A Schoolyard That Mirrors a Changing Olympic Sport

The new playground at Good Shepherd is more than a place to pass the time between lessons. It has been designed as part of a structured program that introduces students to the physical demands of modern pentathlon.

The sport is now evolving to include obstacle racing in place of its traditional equestrian component. This change has been confirmed by international sporting bodies ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games and is expected to continue into Brisbane 2032.

It brings a new relevance to what students are practising each day. The movements learned in the course, from climbing to balance and quick transitions, reflect the same skills now being developed at elite levels.

Learning From the Sport’s Grassroots Leader

Ms Teede’s role in the session provided a direct connection to the sport as it exists beyond the school setting. As president of Obstacle Australia, she has been involved in shaping the growth of obstacle racing across the country, guiding its move from recreational challenge to organised competition.

Her session with students focused on technique and progression, encouraging them to approach each obstacle with focus and persistence. The experience offered a glimpse into how the sport is taught and developed, while keeping the emphasis on participation and enjoyment.

Building Strength, Confidence and Access

Teachers at Good Shepherd have framed the course as a way to support more than physical ability. As students move through the obstacles, they are developing coordination and endurance, but also learning to manage challenges and build confidence in their own progress.

The program also reflects a practical approach to participation in sport. With rising costs affecting access to organised activities, the school has created a space where students can be active as part of their daily routine. The playground becomes a consistent and inclusive option, open to all students regardless of background.

“At a time when cost‑of‑living pressures can limit access to organised sport, this playground provides students with a free, inclusive and healthy outlet where they can be active every school day,” Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School Physical Education teacher Eliza Moore said.

Springfield Lakes in the Frame for 2032

Springfield Lakes has featured in early discussions around Olympic planning, with Ipswich Stadium, known as Brighton Homes Arena, identified in earlier proposals as a possible venue for modern pentathlon.

“With Lions Stadium at Springfield currently being considered as the venue for the Modern Pentathlon at the 2032 Olympic Games, this new playground gives our students in the Ipswich region a meaningful connection to a potential home‑ground Olympic legacy,” Ms Moore said.

Published 23-April-2026

Bellbird Park Altercation Leaves Two Men in Critical Condition After Suburban Fight

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Two men were taken to hospital in a critical condition after an alleged violent altercation in Bellbird Park, where a suburban argument escalated into a group fight in which a bladed weapon and a garden hedging tool were allegedly used.

Argument Leads To Alleged Assault In Bellbird Park

The incident occurred just after 2 pm at a residential address in Bellbird Park, where a verbal disagreement between several individuals escalated into a physical confrontation. A 22-year-old man is alleged to have punched a 25-year-old Ipswich man and pulled him into the garage of the residence.

Inside the garage, a 21-year-old man is alleged to have used a bladed weapon to strike the 25-year-old four times around the torso area. The 22-year-old man is then alleged to have used a garden hedging tool to strike a 24-year-old Augustine Heights man in the chest and back.

police investigation — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Fight Continues Onto Nearby Streets

The group, including several witnesses, continued to fight as the altercation moved out onto nearby streets. The 25-year-old man was later located in Eagle Street, while the 24-year-old man was found in Coleen Street in nearby Redbank Plains.

Both men were transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition following the incident.

Bellbird Park fight — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Arrests Made Following Incident

Police attended the scene and located those involved. The 22-year-old Bellbird Park man was found in Eagle Street and transported to Ipswich Hospital for treatment for minor injuries before being arrested and charged with two counts of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

The 21-year-old Bellbird Park man was later intercepted in Alice Street in Goodna just after 9pm and was also charged with two counts of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

Court Appearance To Follow

Both men have been held in custody and are due to appear before the Ipswich Magistrates Court.

Police have appealed for information as inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the Bellbird Park incident.

Published 21-Apr-2026

East Street Central Project Brings Nearly 5,000 Square Metres of New Office Space to Ipswich CBD

Allamanni

A major three-building commercial development at the corner of East and Brisbane Streets in Ipswich is moving toward a formal development application, with the East Street Central project set to deliver close to 5,000 square metres of new office space into one of Queensland’s tightest CBD office markets.

Developed by Brisbane-based Allamanni Developments, the project addresses a vacancy rate of just three to five per cent across Ipswich’s CBD, a figure the developer describes as among the lowest in the country and a clear signal that demand for quality commercial space in the city has outrun supply.

The development encompasses three existing buildings: the six-level tower at 78 Brisbane Street, a boutique two-storey building at 41 East Street, and the heritage-listed building at 45 East Street, combining a total net lettable area of 4,807 square metres across the site.

After two years of planning, the project is now edging toward lodging a formal development application.

Three Buildings, One Coherent Vision

Each of the three buildings brings something distinct to the project. The tower at 78 Brisbane Street, originally built in 1974, anchors the development with 2,900 square metres across six levels and is set for a comprehensive refurbishment. The works will include a new facade, energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting systems, two high-speed lifts, a rooftop staff breakout terrace and newly created secure onsite parking, repositioning the building as premium commercial accommodation within the Ipswich market.

Project by Allamanni Developments — *Photo Credit: Allamanni Developments*

Between the tower and the heritage building, the boutique property at 41 East Street adds 825 square metres across two levels. With high ceilings, an open-plan layout and a new fitout, lift and upgraded amenities, it targets smaller tenants looking for character workspace with strong connectivity to the CBD’s retail and dining offer.

The historically significant 45 East Street carries one of Ipswich’s most layered civic stories. F.D.G. Stanley, Queensland’s Colonial Architect from 1873 to 1881, designed the 1888 building for the Ipswich and West Moreton Building Society. Founded in 1877 as the city’s first such institution, the society provided essential housing finance for the growing colony.

Stanley’s legacy lives on through this heritage-listed site, which was constructed in three stages starting in 1888. Now fully refurbished and leased, the 1,082 square metre building provides premium character workspace featuring high ceilings, natural light, and a signature lobby.

A City on the Rise: Ipswich Today

Allamanni Acquisitions Manager Irina Monnier frames the project against the backdrop of Ipswich’s broader trajectory. The city’s population is projected to exceed 456,000 by 2041, and the developer points to a $3.8 billion infrastructure investment pipeline as context for the commercial confidence underpinning the development.

The site’s position within walking distance of the hospital, courts, civic precinct and rail connections makes it particularly suited to professional services, healthcare and public sector tenants, the kinds of occupiers who need CBD presence and reliable access rather than fringe flexibility.

The comparison Monnier draws is deliberate. She describes Ipswich as sitting at a similar inflection point to where Parramatta was roughly two decades ago: a regional city with genuine economic weight, a strong population growth outlook and a commercial property market where quality supply has not kept pace with demand.

Whether that comparison ultimately proves accurate will depend on factors well beyond a single development, but the logic of the moment is clear enough. The East Street Central site sits beside Ipswich’s revitalised Nicholas Street precinct and has the kind of civic-scale adjacency that makes it legible to tenants looking for a credible CBD address rather than suburban office park convenience.

A Heritage Lane in a Growing City

For Ipswich residents, the East Street Central project carries a significance that goes beyond square metres. The restoration of the 1888 building at 45 East Street keeps a piece of the city’s financial and civic history in productive use, rather than allowing it to drift toward vacancy or redevelopment pressure.

The Ipswich and West Moreton Building Society occupied the building from 1888 until 1996, a span of over a century, and the building’s already-full tenancy suggests there is genuine appetite for character space in the CBD when it is presented well.

The project is currently available for lease and sale inquiries across the tower and boutique buildings. Leasing and contact information for East Street Central is available through Allamanni Developments at allamanni.com.au or by phone on 1300 318 756.

Published 20-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

Springfield Lakes Harmony Day Brings 500 Meals and a Message of Belonging

Photo Credit: Facebook / Senator Paul Scarr

The Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes became a hub of colour, conversation and community on 21 March, when a Harmony Day Springfield Lakes celebration brought together hundreds of locals, elected representatives and cultural groups for a day of food, performances and reflection on what it means to belong in Australia.

More than 500 meals were served by the event’s volunteer-run kitchen, Maa Sarada’s Kitchen, with over 60 volunteers contributing their time on the day. The effort raised more than $4,500 to support initiatives connected to the centre.

The keynote address was delivered by Giridharan Sivaraman, who drew on his personal history and his long association with the Vedanta movement to speak about the broader challenges facing Australian society, including racism. Despite the weight of the subject, his message was one of optimism — that Australia has the capacity to respond constructively to social tensions and move towards a more inclusive future.

A panel discussion followed, featuring a broad cross-section of political representatives. Speakers included federal members Shayne Neumann and Paul Scarr, state representatives Fiona Simpson and Charis Mullen, Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully, and community figure Pye Augustine. The conversation ranged from personal reflections on Harmony Day to the role cultural identity plays in public life.

Beyond the formal programme, attendees were treated to cultural performances, market stalls, face painting and a petting zoo — with many choosing to linger well after the scheduled activities had wrapped up.

Swami Atmeshananda, President of the Vedanta Centre, reflected on the spirit behind the event, saying that Harmony Day is a reminder of the shared humanity that connects people across their differences, and that when communities come together with respect and openness, everyone feels at home.

The event formed part of Harmony Day activities held across Australia on 21 March, a national occasion dedicated to promoting multiculturalism, inclusion and social cohesion.

Published 30-March-2026

Springfield Lakes Residents Asked: Is Your Suburb Actually Built for Walking?

Springfield Lakes has been described as a planned active living community, but a new university research project is putting that promise to the test, and local residents hold the key to the answers.

Read: An Updated Guide to the Best Ipswich Walks

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has launched an online survey asking Springfield Lakes and Spring Mountain residents whether their neighbourhoods actually make it easy to walk, ride, and get around without reaching for the car keys.

The survey is part of the Active Springfield Neighbourhoods Project, a study led by UniSQ researcher Melinda Covey-Hansen, who is undertaking the work through a PhD internship hosted by Queensland Health. The project is supported by Ipswich City, the Office of the Queensland Government Architect and the Heart Foundation.

UniSQ researcher Melinda Covey-Hansen (Photo credit: unisq.edu.au)

Ms Covey-Hansen says the research is grounded in well-established evidence that where people live directly shapes how active they are. Neighbourhoods with good access to walking and cycling paths, parks, schools, shops, public transport, shade and lighting tend to make it much easier for residents to weave physical activity into their everyday routines, she says.

The goal is to find out whether what planners designed is what residents are actually experiencing on the ground. Ms Covey-Hansen says the project will combine resident feedback with mapping and planning data to build a clear picture of whether Springfield’s active living design principles are being delivered as intended and felt that way by the people living there.

Whether that vision has translated into the kinds of connected, walkable streets and accessible parks residents were promised is precisely what this research aims to find out.

Findings from the project will be used to produce a Healthy Places, Healthy People case study through Queensland Health, with the aim of sharing lessons and informing planning, design and advocacy for more walkable communities across Queensland. Resident feedback, including suggestions for improvement, will also be passed on directly to Ipswich City Council to help shape future infrastructure priorities.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding says the council welcomes the research, pointing to the recently adopted Ipswich City Plan 2025 as a sign of the city’s commitment to well-planned, connected neighbourhoods supported by transport, services and local centres. Harding says the council’s city design and planning teams will be watching the findings closely, as real-world resident experiences can help inform how the city continues to deliver quality neighbourhoods for a growing population.

For locals, taking part is straightforward. The online survey takes only a short time to complete and asks residents about their physical activity habits, along with what helps or gets in the way of active living where they live. Residents aged 18 and over from Springfield Lakes and Spring Mountain are encouraged to participate before the survey closes on 10 April 2026.

As an added incentive, participants can opt into a prize draw to win a 200 dollar Healthy and Active pack, which includes a Fitbit and UniSQ merchandise.

Read: Radio Host Matty Acton Walks from Bowen Hills to Ipswich, Raises $50k

If you would like to have your say on what active living looks like in your neighbourhood, this is your chance to make it count. Researchers want to hear from you. The survey is available online through the UniSQ website. Residents can also contact Ms Covey-Hansen directly for more information via the UniSQ project page.

Published 30-March-2026