Council approves Ipswich Central redevelopment plans featuring cinemas and go karting track
16 June 2020
Ipswich City Council has approved a development application to enable the key retail, entertainment and commercial precinct of the Nicholas St, Ipswich Central redevelopment.
Council has signed off on a material change of use for properties located at 143, 143A and 163 Brisbane Street, 23 and 24 Ipswich City Mall and 2 Bell Street, Ipswich.
This could see a new cinema complex and indoor go kart track proceed, as well as restaurants, shops and other entertainment venues.
As council was the applicant, owner and decision-maker, new council governance policies required review by an independent decision review panel. The panel concluded that it was satisfied with the recommendation to approve the development subject to conditions.
Precinct B (Venue) is currently improved with a 2-3 storey building which is proposed to be reconfigured to accommodate a range of new uses, including:
- reconfiguration of the lower level to provide a tenancy intended to be used for indoor recreation activities, specifically an indoor go kart track
- extension of the existing cinema complex located on the ground level to include an additional two cinemas, to provide a total eight cinemas; a small extension to the existing building is proposed to facilitate the provision of these additional cinemas, which will involve the raising of the existing roof in the location of the new cinemas
- provision of a new tenancy on the ground level adjoining the existing cinema lobby which may be used for a range of business, entertainment or recreational purposes.
The cinema complex in the CBD, operated by Birch, Carroll and Coyle, closed down in May 2019 and the application looks to make the new area bigger and better, including upgrades to seating in the existing six cinemas.
Precinct A (143 and 143A Brisbane Street) will allow for the establishment of new business uses such as café, fast food premises, offices, restaurant, shops, entertainment venues and indoor recreation on the ground floor along Nicholas Street.
Precinct J (Metro B and associated development) will allow for similar uses and additionally medical centres. It will also feature a new internal mall connecting Nicholas Street with Bell Street. Precinct K (Metro A) will have similar tenancies.
When the matter was first raised at the inaugural General Purposes Committee meeting on 19 May, councillors asked several questions, in particular about the go karting proposal.
Deputy Mayor and new chair of the Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee Cr Marnie Doyle said residents had voiced concerns about the noise and emissions from a proposed indoor track. Cr Doyle also questioned if the track would be a problem for a cinema above and its patrons, plus other nearby tenants.
Manager, Development Planning Brett Davey said council had addressed some aspects of the application in terms of air quality and acoustics which had been highlighted by the independent panel.
The recommendation to approve the application was passed unanimously by council.
Council (as developer of this project) will continue the redevelopment of the precinct and work with prospective tenants to successfully enliven the CBD. If you are interested in more information on the project or are interested in a potential tenancy opportunity please contact council’s Greg Thomas on 3810 7080 or greg.thomas@ipswich.qld.gov.au