New leader for Economic and Industry Development Committee
03 August 2023
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann has been appointed Chairperson of Ipswich City Council’s Economic and Industry Development Committee.
Cr Kunzelmann’s appointment was endorsed by councillors at the 27 July council meeting after accepting the resignation of previous committee chairperson Cr Nicole Jonic.
“I am excited to take on this new role and challenge and thank my colleagues for their support and providing me with this opportunity,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“I look forward to working with our Office of Economic Development team and carrying out the visions of the recently released Economic Development Strategy, which underpins growth and investment in our booming city over the next five years.
“I also look forward to working with Economic and Industry Development Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Jacob Madsen.”
Cr Kunzelmann was also appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee, adding to her Deputy Chairperson role with the Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee.
Cr Kunzelmann has also played an important role in her first term on council during several flood disasters as Chair of the Local Recovery and Resilience Group and Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group.
“Ipswich has experienced some tough times in recent years with the floods, COVID-19 and the economic downturn,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“That is why it is more important than ever to connect with the business, property, government and education sectors to progress council’s Economic Development Strategy.
“This strategy outlines council’s plan for sustainable economic growth, showing how we can build the economy of the future and attract and retain diverse and high value jobs for current and future generations.
“Council has collaborated with industry partners to ensure this input is front and centre in our plans to grow Ipswich’s economy now and well into the future.”
Cr Kunzelmann will chair her first Economic and Industry Development Committee meeting on 10 August.