First street patio lands on Limestone Street in boost for people space in Ipswich Central
05 April 2023
More space for people, not cars, is the main goal of a new Queensland-first street patio pilot program starting this week.
A street patiois a footpath extension that takes up one carpark space and creates a new space for people to sit and spend some time to engage with the community.
Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee Chairperson Councillor Marnie Doyle said the program was the latest in Ipswich City Council’s efforts to revitalise Ipswich Central.
“The street patio program will create additional outdoor dining and a place for people to sit, stop and refresh if they are walking between the Nicholas Street Precinct and Bell Street through to the hospital,” Cr Doyle said.
“The work of local artist Alana Ferguson will feature on the first patio, which is prefabricated with built-in features including garden beds, a cover, ramps and solar lighting and is a great way to rethink our approach to city living.”
The street patio will be trialled at four different locations around Ipswich Central.
The first location is 61 Limestone Street, outside Oikos café, where it will stay for three months.
The pilot is part of Ipswich City Council’s Creating Places for People program to revitalise Ipswich Central, complementing several other initiatives such as the newly completed Bottle Alley mural showcasing historical Ipswich Central buildings and Shop Top Living, which aims to unlock housing potential in non-residential buildings.
Other programs include the Green Walkable Streets Artwork Project that saw 11 vinyl artwork wraps on electrical boxes and the Building Better Blocks and Neighbourhoods, a placemaking and city shaping thought leadership event for emerging local leaders.
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Fechner said there would be ongoing consultation with the community during the street patio pilot.
“This program is about trialling and testing to see what works and we want the community to help us identify the best outcomes for the area,” Cr Fechner said.
“Ipswich Central remains the cultural hub and beating heart of the Ipswich community and we want to continually improve and revitalise the area by providing additional public open space in this built-up inner-city area.”
To give feedback on the Creating Places for People program, visit Shapeyouripswich.com.au/ipswich-central/creating-places-people
Feedback from the public and businesses will be considered for future street patio trial locations.