Located next to the booming suburb of Springfield Lakes is Springfield Rise, a $1.9 billion 4,000–home estate that is expected to welcome more than 12,000 residents and 10 new schools. The 415-hectare community will come complete with a new primary school; 15 hectares of open space; 15 neighbourhood parks; three stunning lakes; bushland reserves; walking, hiking, and cycling trails; and a few of the biggest sporting fields in the district.
Springfield Rise is located next to Springfield Lakes, and between Springfield Central and the White Rock Spring Mountain Conservation Reserve. In the years to come, 30,000 more people are expected to reside in this community.
Wide, Open Sports Fields
For a decade now, Springfield has been longing for more areas where people can do sports. The $22 million Southern Sporting Fields project in Springfield Rise has finally answered the residents’ prayers. The new sports precinct reportedly includes “four new rectangular fields, or two ovals, 16 netball courts and clubhouses.” Moreover, four rectangular fields and eight tennis courts are expected to be added near Sinnathamby Boulevard by 2018.
“This will be the home of Springfield sport and cater for all sports … ages and genders,” said Councillor Sheila Ireland. She explained that Springfield is a growing suburb with so many youths and seniors. More sports fields would thus help everyone’s longing for an active and healthy lifestyle.
David Morrison, chairman of the Ipswich City Council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation Committee, spearheaded the welcoming of the sporting fields late last year. According to him, “sporting clubs in the area were crying out for more facilities.” Earlier this year, Mr Morrison also explained how the city has always wanted to improve their sport and recreation facilities “that will attract State and National Competitions.”
“This (Springfield Rise) will be one of the city’s premiere sporting precincts which will attract local, regional, state and also national championships to the city,” he said. Mr Morrison, with his “passion for a fit and healthy Ipswich,” hopes that the community’s big sporting fields will motivate residents to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
All About Accessibility
According to Mr Matthew Mears, managing director of Lendlease’s Communities, Springfield Rise residents have easy access to various significant establishments like “schools and the expanding Orion Springfield Central.” Also, a mere walk or cycle away from anyone’s home in the community would be the local village shopping centre, three existing neighbourhood centres, cafes, restaurants, and cinemas. Other places like the Orion Lagoon, Robelle Domain Parklands, childcare centres, the University of Southern Queensland, and TAFE are likewise conveniently accessible.
Additionally, there is the nearby Health City, which is a 52-hectare medical and wellness site that proudly includes the 1,200-bed Mater Private Hospital.
Mr Mears explains that nowadays, people are “…opting for a social lifestyle that’s about convenience – living close to shops and cafes with everything they need within reach.”
Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression from Lendleases’s Springfield Rise project brochure