Major companies eyeing investment opportunities in Ipswich
02 August 2022
Ipswich is attracting significant investment in projects across the region with almost $1.5 billion in potential value which could create up to 1,500 additional jobs for Ipswich residents.
Economic and Industry Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Nicole Jonic said the numbers were extremely encouraging and reflected council’s business drive in the region.
“We are actively engaged with 23 businesses across sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, education and health,” Cr Jonic said.
“We continue to attract numerous investment opportunities as we have 45 per cent of South East Queensland’s available industrial land, we are close to major arterials and rail networks and we continue to have housing affordability which is balanced against a rapidly growing population and workforce.”
Cr Jonic said council provides a concierge service to potential investors, helping them identify suitable land or sites and to connecting them to the local business ecosystem. Other services include the provision of regional data, workforce links, supply chain information and even potential customer profiling.
“The $1.5 billon is just the tip of the investment iceberg. There are numerous other investors and business owners moving here from locally, interstate and overseas to set up or expand their operations in our city.
“The Ipswich region continues to see significant interest and investment in industrial land sales. While many of the active investments and businesses looking at Ipswich are commercial in nature, I can tell you there has been significant interest from advanced manufacturing businesses, large scale warehouses to new schools looking to expand in our region.”
A common theme in businesses considering a move to Ipswich is the availability of Industrial land and easy access to export markets via ports, quality infrastructure warehousing at competitive regional pricing.
“Attracting the new business to our region is only the beginning. We need to ensure that the businesses commencing in our region have the workforce they need,” Cr Jonic said.
“Often with new factories, there is a lead time often measured in years. This allows us to work with the employers, TAFE, and local Chambers of Commerce to help build the skill base of our community, so they have the required skills that employer’s need.
“I’m constantly told by many of our local businesses how hard and costly it is to find employees right now. To help there is council’s free online local jobs portal to help employers and local job seekers find a local job. This is an initiative by the RDA and financially supported by council.
“Each of these future investments will lead to future employment opportunities. We are working closely with all stakeholders to identify early and build skills for more of our residents offering them more opportunities to work locally.”
Cr Jonic highlighted work at Bio Park Australia at Augustine Heights. This is a dedicated precinct for science-based industries and has already attracted strong interest from across the nation. The precinct is anticipated to create 700 highly skilled jobs on a dedicated 22h site.
“This alone is a significant opportunity that will boost our sovereign manufacturing capacity in Australia’s bio tech future and benefit all of Ipswich. It is a sign of the investment attraction in the region and boom times ahead,” Cr Jonic said.
“Ipswich is rightly seen as a strong investment opportunity for those looking to start, grow or expand their businesses.”