Ipswich’s long-running hopes of securing an NRL team are back in the spotlight, with discussions around the Jets potentially becoming the competition’s 20th franchise generating excitement across the city.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio, Division 4 Councillor Dave Martin said recent discussions involving Ipswich Jets chairman Steve Johnson and Sydney Roosters powerbroker Nick Politis had given supporters another reason to believe Ipswich could have a future at rugby league’s highest level.
Cr Martin said Politis also had strong connections to Ipswich, having grown up and attended school in the city before moving to Sydney.
He said having such an influential figure in rugby league speak positively about Ipswich was significant.
“He’s a powerbroker in the game, he’s the godfather of the Roosters, and to have him actually endorse Ipswich is a pretty big deal,” Cr Martin said.
Media speculation around the NRL’s future expansion has added to the excitement, with Cr Martin saying the possibility of Ipswich emerging as the 20th team was encouraging news for the region.
Sundowner Hotel vows to return
There was also sadness across Division 4 following a devastating fire at the Sundowner Hotel.
Cr Martin said the destruction was difficult to see and expressed his support for the Falvey family, staff and locals affected by the loss.
“It’s a mess out there,” he said.
“Heart goes out to the Falveys and, of course, the staff that work there that obviously have sadly lost their jobs.”
Despite the devastation, the hotel’s owners have already indicated their intention to rebuild.
Cr Martin welcomed the determination to bring back the familiar “Little Pink Hotel” and its landmark Bundaberg Rum bottle, which survived the fire.
Waste vouchers offer residents another choice
Ipswich City Council’s new waste voucher system has also commenced, allowing eligible households to dispose of up to 500 kilograms of household waste at a Council resource recovery centre without paying the normal disposal fee.
Residents receive one free waste service each financial year and can choose between the new 500kg voucher or the existing large-item collection service using a blue FlexiSkip.
Cr Martin said Council had received some criticism over the limits of the new scheme but stressed that disposing of waste came at a significant cost.
He said it cost Council close to $200 to send a tonne of waste to landfill, meaning a 500kg voucher represented a cost to Council approaching $100.
“There’s no such thing as free,” Cr Martin said, noting that similar services offered by other councils were ultimately funded through rates or other revenue.
He said the combination of a waste voucher and the FlexiSkip provided residents with useful options while avoiding some of the problems associated with traditional kerbside clean-ups.
Cr Martin recalled how previous kerbside collection systems could leave footpaths lined with unwanted furniture and rubbish for extended periods.
“I think it’s a step forward to have a tip voucher and a blue bag,” he said.
“I think it’s much tidier, much better for the landscape.”
Haigslea celebrates 150 years
Cr Martin also joined the celebrations as Haigslea State School marked its 150th anniversary, with generations of former students returning for the occasion.
He said it was particularly special to see older members of the school community reconnect and share memories of their time at Haigslea.
One former student attending the celebration was around 95 years old and believed to be the oldest former student present.
Cr Martin congratulated the school’s P&C, principal and staff for putting together the anniversary celebrations.
“It was a great celebration,” he said.
The event also provided an opportunity to catch up with well-known local identity David Pahlke, who Cr Martin said was continuing to recover after being seriously injured in a vehicle accident.
Galvanized gets underway
Ipswich’s heritage is also taking centre stage with the Galvanized festival now underway across the city.
Cr Martin visited the quilt exhibition at St Paul’s Anglican Church, praising both the work on display and the spectacular heritage setting provided by the church’s stained-glass windows and ornate architecture.
The exhibition also comes with homemade scones and other treats for visitors.
Galvanized will continue with events across Ipswich over the coming days, encouraging residents to explore different parts of the city and discover more about the region’s history.
Cr Martin encouraged residents to check the festival program and get involved in the celebrations.
He and fellow Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden are also continuing their community catch-ups, providing residents with opportunities to raise local issues directly with their councillors.
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