Council makes significant progress on Ripley Road upgrades
01 November 2024
A major upgrade of a key thoroughfare in the city's south has taken another step forward with Ipswich City Council set to begin talks with property owners to acquire land for the works.
The progress follows the announcement in July of $24 million in catalyst infrastructure funding for the Ripley Valley in an agreement between council and Economic Development Queensland.
Finance and Governance Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said booming population growth in the Ripley Valley meant Ripley Road and Fischer Road needed to be upgraded, both forming critical functions within the State Government’s Priority Development Area (PDA).
“The ultimate solution will see Ripley Road upgraded from the Cunningham Highway through to the Centenary Highway, however the stretch of road between the Cunningham Highway and Fischer Road has been prioritised owing to adjoining development activity,” Cr Tully said.
“Ripley Valley is one of the largest urban growth areas in Australia, with Ripley alone welcoming almost 2000 new residents in the last financial year. Ipswich City Council is investing in local road upgrades to keep the city moving during this next exciting growth phase.
“By 2026, we anticipate 25,000 vehicles per day on Ripley Road, and 5,000 daily on Fischer Road. That’s a 66 per cent traffic increase on Ripley Road and a 150 per cent increase on Fischer Road in just a few short years.
“This project includes extending the road to four lanes between Cunningham Highway and Monterea Road, unlocking around 4,600 new housing lots. The road expansion is crucial for improving connectivity and supporting community growth.
“A number of properties has been identified for potential land acquisition to allow for this critical road upgrade, and council will consult with all potentially affected property owners throughout this process.
“Council understands any potential property acquisition can be a complex process, and will work with all parties involved toward a mutually satisfying outcome.”
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said council will manage the design and construction of the Ripley Road upgrade using a staged approach.
“Stages 1 to 3 of the project cover a stretch of approximately 2.6kms of Ripley Road and will be upgraded to a four-lane divided urban arterial road, with on-road cycle lanes, shared use pathways and footpaths,” Cr Augustine said.
“The upgrade works to Fischer Road stretch from Nevis Street through to Monterea Road, covering a 750m stretch of road and it will be upgraded to a two-lane urban road.”
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said Ripley Road is already operating over capacity and requires upgrading to cater for the growing population.
“Some areas of Ripley Road are of a lower standard rural road configuration and with the rapid population growth in recent years, the road is operating over capacity, and is likely to increasingly experience significant safety issues,” Cr Madsen said.
“Significant areas of planned - in some instances approved - developments may be delayed or forced to stop without the road upgrade.
“Council is committed to regularly meeting and updating all property owners who will be impacted with latest information on project design, delivery, property impacts and land requirements.”
The Ripley Valley became a declared Urban Development Area by the State Government in 2010 and later a PDA in 2013.
The PDA covers 4,680ha of land located about 5km from Ipswich Central with Ripley Road forming the major link between the Cunningham and Centenary Highways.
Engagement with the wider community will continue to be delivered through council’s Shape Your Ipswich website, including ongoing project updates and a facility for the community to submit questions, feedback, or concerns to council.