Ipswich City Council reacts to State Government budget
17 June 2021
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has said Council will remain focussed on advocacy for investment, after the city missed out on major infrastructure commitments in this year’s State Budget.
Health and education emerged as the highlights for Ipswich with $166.9 million to be spent at the Ipswich Hospital, $177 million on the Mater Public Hospital Springfield expansion, further funding to deliver a Satellite Hospital, and a suite of new schools for the city.
No new funding was provided for the Ipswich to Springfield Public Transport Corridor, the Ipswich Central Second Bremer River Crossing, the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct or the Ipswich Convention and Exhibition Centre, projects which could provide significant economic and social benefits to Ipswich.
Mayor Harding welcomed the State’s commitments to health and education but was disappointed to see Queensland’s fastest growing city was not at the top of the State’s infrastructure agenda.
“Ipswich’s forecast population growth rate is more than two and a half times the Queensland average to 2036, yet the State’s infrastructure investment in our city is amongst the lowest in the south-east.
“Council will continue to work closely with the State Government to advocate for the infrastructure investment Ipswich needs.”
In terms of transport investment, Gold Coast and Brisbane City have been allocated more than $2 billion each, followed by Logan, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Redlands and the Scenic Rim. Less than $100 million was allocated to Ipswich.
Mayor Harding highlighted the significant infrastructure funding shortfall in the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area.
“The $45 million investment for catalyst infrastructure in Ripley Valley is an important first step, but it is still well short of the $1.2 billion in essential infrastructure funding that was allocated for the Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone priority development areas in 2019.”
While a major issue for the Ipswich community, the State Budget was also silent on support to advance the city’s war on waste.
“Ipswich takes in 42 percent of the state’s waste into eight privately owned landfills.
“It is very disappointing the State Government provided no support to reduce landfill or support Ipswich and our state in transitioning to a circular economy where waste is recycled for other uses,” said Mayor Harding.
There was good news for families in Ripley and the Augustine Heights/Redbank Plains area which will have new schools to attend in 2023 with a new primary school at Bellbird Park in 2024.
Two secondary schools in Springfield and the Collingwood Park/Redbank Plains area for 2024 will be welcome additions to those fast growth suburbs.
Council will also receive $3.35 million under the South-East Queensland Community Stimulus Package, $1.77 million in COVID Works for Queensland, $1.1 million for libraries and almost $100,000 in Advance Queensland grant funding.
Jobseekers and trainees will benefit from $7.3 million with Skilling Queenslanders for Work being funded permanently.