Ipswich City Council is advancing a critical upgrade to Ripley Road and Fischer Road in response to booming population growth in the Ripley Valley. Talks with property owners will soon begin as part of the land acquisition process to facilitate the upgrades, following a July announcement of $24 million in funding for the area in partnership with Economic Development Queensland.
Finance and Governance Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully highlighted the importance of these road improvements, especially given the region’s designation as a Priority Development Area (PDA) by the State Government. “Ripley Valley is one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban regions, with nearly 2,000 new residents moving in last financial year alone,” Cr Tully said. “By 2026, we expect Ripley Road to see 25,000 vehicles per day and Fischer Road around 5,000—dramatically higher traffic levels that demand a robust infrastructure response.”
The project includes widening Ripley Road to four lanes from Cunningham Highway to Monterea Road, unlocking access to approximately 4,600 new housing lots. “Improving connectivity in this rapidly growing area is essential for community growth,” added Cr Tully. The council has identified several properties for potential acquisition, pledging to work closely with affected property owners.
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine explained that the upgrades will be completed in stages, covering 2.6 km of Ripley Road and 750 m of Fischer Road. “Ripley Road will be expanded to a four-lane divided arterial road with cycle lanes and pathways, while Fischer Road will become a two-lane urban road,” Cr Augustine said.
Councillor Jacob Madsen emphasized the urgency of these upgrades, noting that some areas of Ripley Road are already over capacity. “Without these improvements, the area’s development may be delayed or halted, and road safety issues will increase,” Cr Madsen added.
The community can follow project updates, submit feedback, and ask questions via the council’s Shape Your Ipswich website.
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