Ipswich Central comes alive with opening of Tulmur Place civic plaza
25 November 2020
Saturday marks an historic moment for the City of Ipswich – the official opening of a key stage of the $250 million Nicholas Street Precinct redevelopment.
The city’s new civic plaza, known as Tulmur Place, will come alive with markets and the turning on of the precinct’s water play zone.
Mayor Teresa Harding said that she was delighted, on behalf of council, to open this modern and vibrant space for the Ipswich community.
“On Saturday, we will celebrate the opening of Stage 2 – Tulmur Place, and we also look forward to the opening of the new Ipswich Central Library to the community on Monday 7 December,” Mayor Harding said.
“We want this to be a place that you are all proud to call your own, a space for culture, events, the arts, festivals and entertainment.
“Tulmur Place has been created to provide a beautiful space for the community with staging, plenty of space for events, shady areas, grassed areas, beautiful new artworks, as you will see around the civic space this weekend, and an interactive water play zone that will run seven days a week, keeping our young people cool in summer.”
The official proceedings on Saturday will begin at 10:30am, with a performance by the Gateebil Gurrnung Aboriginal Corporation’s Yugara Traditional Dancers and the invitation for one lucky child to turn on the water play zone for the first time.
The Handmade Expo Markets will be held concurrently, from 9am to 2pm, giving shoppers the opportunity to buy Christmas gifts from local providers.
Chair of the Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee and Deputy Mayor Marnie Doyle said council is committed to revitalising the city centre with the Nicholas Street Precinct Redevelopment, as stages three and four approach delivery. Future highlights will include:
- The relocation of council’s offices in mid-2021 – more than 800 staff who will occupy the nine-level building featured prominently in the precinct
- The opening of the new Ipswich Central Library
- The opening of a unique children’s library under the administration building in mid-2021
- The upgrade of the existing multi-deck car park facility
- The installation of a new one-way vehicle road for travel between Brisbane and Bell Streets, designed to make visiting the precinct easier
- The refurbishment of the existing retail buildings (which will be called Metro B, Eats and Venue)
- The restoration of the Commonwealth Hotel, also known as Murphy’s Hotel.
“It’s an exciting time for Ipswich and today is another step towards that goal,” Cr Doyle said.
“We thank the people of Ipswich for your ongoing patience and support, and we look forward to delivering a vibrant, dynamic city centre for the community that contributes to the city’s economic growth and supports our growing population.
“The new Nicholas Street Precinct represents an opportunity for significant growth and development for the city. The project will also create jobs and opportunities for existing and emerging businesses.
“Council has engaged in extensive community consultation with the community on place naming, Indigenous art and culture and we are happy to see so many of our community members having their say and engaging with council to share their ideas and feedback. We promise we will continue to engage with you on what you would like to see in your new Nicholas Street Precinct.
“We look forward to mid next year when stage 3 – the opening of the administration building and children’s library, followed by stage 4, which will be the opening of food, entertainment and retail in late 2021.”