Mayor joins SEQ leaders pushing region’s major projects with Commonwealth
18 March 2021
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has joined fellow South-East Queensland Mayors in the nation’s capital to share the city’s growth story and promote investment in key infrastructure this week.
Mayor Harding is meeting with members of the Government and Opposition on priorities for Ipswich, and discussing both the SEQ City Deal and the 2032 Olympic proposal as part of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Canberra delegation.
She said the trip was an ideal opportunity to commence engagement with both senior Coalition and Labor MPs ahead of the anticipated federal election likely to be held in 2021/2022.
“Council is committed to building collaborative partnerships with all levels of government, and we are seeking federal support in the delivery of city-shaping infrastructure that will drive the economic recovery and safeguard quality of life for our residents,” Mayor Harding said.
“The 2021-22 federal budget provides an opportunity for the Australian Government to lead investment in major infrastructure, ensure connectivity in nationally significant growth and freight corridors, and catalyse economic development in Ipswich.
“Collaboration also means working alongside my fellow SEQ Mayors to secure good outcomes for the broader region, including major transport infrastructure, and investment to address our waste and circular economy challenges and opportunities.”
SEQ Mayors travelled to Canberra to seek bipartisan support for the transformational City Deal, which will deliver regional transport infrastructure to manage the city’s growing population and also be a major enable a successful 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The SEQ City Deal is a 20-year agreement between three levels of government and industry to jointly identify and deliver infrastructure and economic priorities for South East Queensland. Due for completion last year, negotiations were extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent delays to federal and state budgets.
“This delegation of SEQ Mayors will deliver and strong and powerful message to Canberra: it’s time to finalise the deal and deliver the infrastructure the region needs to support its growing population,” Mayor Harding said.
Meetings with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese formed part of an extensive line up of Government and Opposition representatives across the delegation.
While in Canberra, Mayor Harding also secured a number of one-on-one meetings with MPs to discuss Ipswich’s transparency and integrity journey and major transformation priorities, including:
- The Ipswich to Springfield Central public transport corridor
- Ipswich Central second river crossing (Norman St Bridge)
- Cunningham Highway, Amberley Interchange
- Mt Crosby Interchange
- Ripley roads infrastructure
- North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct
- Waste reform and circular economy opportunities
- Publicly available athletics track at USQ Ipswich
- Ebenezer/Willowbank industrial park