Year of success and fiscal responsibility
31 October 2023
Ipswich City Council’s Annual Report 2022-2023 showcases the city’s thriving population and robust economy and shares Council’s plan for the delivery of infrastructure and services for the year ahead.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said new residents increased by 29 per cent compared to the previous year.
“In the past financial year, 6,228 new residents now call Ipswich home and on average six new houses were built every day. Ipswich really is a city on the move,” Mayor Harding said.
“From the redevelopment of the city centre at Nicholas Street Precinct, to the burgeoning new suburbs on our eastern, southern and western growth fronts, Ipswich is changing rapidly, while still maintaining our history and heritage.”
The city’s economy has shot past the $12 billion mark in the 12 months to 30 June 2023, with a $614 million year-on-year growth.
“I’m very proud of the strong financial management throughout the year, which has enabled Ipswich City Council to deliver an operating surplus of $5.4 million,” Mayor Harding said.
“More than a year on after the devastation of the February and May 2022 floods across the city, our efforts to rebuild have focused on fiscal responsibility and sustainability – efforts that have been met with support from the community.”
Mayor Harding said council was well placed to face the challenges that come with being the fastest growing city in Queensland with major work on the draft new Ipswich Planning Scheme and draft Local Government Infrastructure Plan carried out in 2022-2023.
“This new draft planning scheme is the first since 2006 and is designed to help manage sustainable growth in the community,” Mayor Harding said.
She said the 2022-2023 Annual Report also showed council continued to achieve great results for Ipswich.
“We have a new community funding program which provides groups with up to $5,000 of financial support, there was $229 million invested in upgrading local roads, parks, sporting fields or transport projects and the continued redevelopment and activation of the Nicholas Street Precinct – there’s a lot to be excited about for our future,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich City Council has $4.3 billion in assets, including infrastructure, so managing them in the most efficient way is crucial.
“There’s a lot of effort towards efficiencies within council with the first year of an Effective Asset Management Project improving the governance, structure, policy, plans, culture, and training in asset management.”
The Annual Report details council’s activities between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 and was endorsed at October’s Ordinary Council meeting after being audited by the Queensland Audit Office on behalf of the Auditor-General.
To read the full report, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au
Key statistics from the 2022-2023 financial year:
- 1340 development applications determined
- 6,228 new residents
- 125,000 wheelie bins collected each week
- 8496 tonnes of kerbside green waste to compost
- 107,325 free plants distributed
- 31.52km of additional pathways and bikeways
- 22.69km of additional local roads