Budget 2021-22 Early Look: Council and community invest in Ipswich’s green future
22 June 2021
Ipswich City Council’s prized and pristine conservation estates will receive almost $1.3 million for significant rehabilitation and improvement works as part of the 2021-22 Budget.
The commitment comes as part of a plan by council to increase the Enviroplan Levy from $46 to $51 annually, creating an additional $425,000 for Ipswich’s environmental assets.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the new Ipswich City Council was serious about protecting the city’s environment for future generations.
“Our wonderful environment is a key part of why Ipswich is such a liveable and idyllic city.
“As council was undertaking community consultation for its new iFuture plan, the importance of being natural and sustainable came through loud and clear,” Mayor Harding said.
“This council has shown it has strong environmental credentials and is spending today to make a better future for Ipswich.”
Mayor Harding said the adoption of the innovative Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Directive, a 10-year road map detailing how it will deliver on the city’s vision for waste management and resource recovery, and joining forces with the State Government on a waste management task force signalled council’s green intentions.
“We are serious about the environment. We are doing everything within our power to make this city green and environmentally friendly,” she said.
“You will see from our Budget commitment for 2021-22, we are spending money to protect our natural spaces and places. These are nature spots known throughout Queensland, interstate and the world and people want to come here and enjoy them.”
Funding from the Ipswich Enviroplan Program and Levy will see $500,000 allocated to the Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve, with upgrades to the recreational area within the estate including new shelters, pathways, nature-based play space and landscaping.
There will also be significant work, with $418,000 committed, to the Hardings Paddock visitor hut, plus landscaping and associated works to the new KupMurri and to the new horse trailhead signage.
Other highlighted work includes:
* Flinders Goolman Conservation Estate signage and trail head track works, $40,000
* Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate track works, $80,000
* White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate rock boardwalk, balancing rock trail, bouldering, fences, lookout, signage, $200,000
Mayor Harding added that Ipswich’s environmental estates are extremely popular with local bushwalkers, hikers, trail-runners, horse and bike riders.
“As well as being a beautiful part of the city, visitors to these estates come to Ipswich, often stay overnight, and spend money in the region.
“This investment is good for our community, environment and for businesses.
“It means we must maintain the high quality of our conservation estates and ensure they are talked about, recommended and visited by people from South East Queensland, interstate and overseas.”
The levy is a key funding source in the delivery of the Ipswich Nature Conservation Strategy. This strategy outlines council’s strategic approach, objectives and long-term vision for Ipswich’s natural environment. It also provides direction for decision-making, prioritisation and implementation.
Enviroplan funding is used for the acquisition of significant nature conservation land, community nature conservation partnerships and support, nature conservation planning, and operational management.
For further details on the Enviroplan, read here.