Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has reaffirmed that Brighton Homes Arena, officially recognised as Ipswich Stadium, remains the city’s Olympic and Paralympic venue for the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio, Mayor Harding expressed her disappointment that Ipswich was overlooked for additional Olympic venues and federal infrastructure funding, despite being Queensland’s fastest-growing city.
Ipswich Stadium Confirmed as 2032 Olympic Venue
The 100-day Olympic venue review, released by the Queensland Government, confirmed that Ipswich Stadium will host modern pentathlon events. However, Ipswich’s bid for additional venues was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, other fast-growing areas like Logan and Moreton Bay secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for new indoor sports centres, which will also be used for the Olympics.
“It’s disappointing that we missed out not only on more venues but also on the funding that came with them,” Harding said.
Funding Boost for Local Sports Clubs
While major Olympic projects passed Ipswich by, local sports clubs received almost $2 million in grassroots funding, including:
- Ipswich District Junior Tennis Association – $800,000 for surface upgrades
- Rosewood Showground – $800,000 for lighting improvements
- Ipswich Musketeers Baseball Club – $150,000 for new spectator seating
- North Tigers Rugby League – $150,000 for facility upgrades
Federal Budget Snubs Ipswich’s Infrastructure Needs
Harding also criticized the federal budget, which allocated $17 billion for road and rail projects nationwide—but provided no new funding for Ipswich.
Key projects left unfunded include:
- Annerley Road Intersection Upgrades
- Ipswich to Springfield Rail Line Expansion
- Cunningham Highway Duplication
- Ipswich Convention & Exhibition Centre
- New Athletics Track and Indoor Sports Stadium
“We receive just 3% of all tax revenue, while the federal government collects 80%. We rely on them for major infrastructure projects, and yet again, Ipswich has been left behind,” Harding said.
Preserving Ipswich’s Heritage
In brighter news, the Ipswich City Council has adopted the Ipswich Heritage Plan (2025-2029), making it only the second council in Queensland to introduce a long-term heritage protection strategy.
With over 7,000 protected heritage sites, Ipswich remains committed to preserving its rich cultural and historical legacy. The council also aims to establish the city’s first Indigenous cultural centre in the near future.
Looking Ahead
With a federal election looming, Harding encouraged residents to scrutinize candidates’ policies and push for stronger commitments to Ipswich’s infrastructure needs.
“Now is the time for Ipswich residents to demand real investment in our city,” she said.
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