Infrastructure funding to bolster key Ipswich community projects
20 January 2023
Ipswich parks and public spaces are more than $5.5 million better off after council successfully negotiated to re-use State Government funds earmarked for postponed recycling and refuse centre projects.
Deputy Mayor and Governance and Transparency Committee Chairperson Councillor Jacob Madsen said families will benefit from $2.232 million in funding to complete playground upgrades at Richardson Park in Goodna and $3.282 million to improve amenities at Cameron Park in Booval.
“These are important community spaces for our growing city and these improvements will further enhance them for residents,” Cr Madsen said.
An additional $1 million will go toward upgrades to the Riverview Recycling and Refuse Centre to improve safety, capacity and environment controls.
Council previously secured the $6.6 million grant funding for upgrades to its recycling and refuse facilities at Riverview and Rosewood.
Council community consultation on the proposal showed initial plans for an upgrade in the city’s western suburbs were unsuitable and council committed to undertake further investigation and consultation.
The reallocation of funds to parks, public spaces and the Riverview facility followed council negotiations with the State Government to reallocate rather than to return the funds.
Councillor Madsen said upgrading the city’s waste facilities remained a priority to ensure council was meeting its waste reduction and recycling legislative requirements.
“Council is committed to addressing our city’s future resource recovery needs, but we want to get it right and do so in consultation with the community to ensure we create a resource recovery system that is appropriate for our community,” Cr Madsen said.
“Council will further consult with the community about the best location for a new recycling and refuse facility in the city’s western suburbs later this year.
“We will provide further updates in the months ahead about how the community can help shape the future of resource recovery in Ipswich.”
The projects are proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program.