Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne says while the Queensland State Budget may have disappointed some, there’s still plenty to celebrate across her electorate — from new school halls and upgraded playgrounds to long-awaited traffic lights and community infrastructure.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s State of Play, Ms Bourne outlined a range of local wins while also committing to continued advocacy for key infrastructure projects that missed out.
“There’s a lot to cheer about for our schools and community groups,” Ms Bourne said. “From upgrades at Ashwell and Ipswich North to a brand-new hall at Haigslea State School and a satellite campus for Ipswich West Special School at Leichhardt — these are fantastic outcomes.”
Other highlights included upgrades to the Marburg SES facility and funding for CCTV initiatives to help address hooning and public safety concerns. A new crime prevention program was also flagged for Ipswich, and Ms Bourne confirmed she has written to the minister to seek further details.
🚦Community Cheers for Traffic Lights, Sporting Clubs Receive Boost
One of the most loudly applauded achievements came with the activation of traffic lights on the Warrego Highway connection at Wulkuraka Road, a long-awaited fix that was met with celebration at a recent Marburg Progress Association meeting.
Sporting clubs also received long-awaited support, including:
- Funding for lights at the Rosewood Showgrounds
- Support for Ipswich Musketeers and the Norths Tigers Rugby League Club
“It’s just a pity the lights didn’t arrive in time for this year’s Rosewood Show — but they’ll be there for next year,” Ms Bourne said.
She also confirmed she’s written to the Minister for Sport requesting similar lighting upgrades for the Marburg Showgrounds.
🎆 Record Attendance at Rosewood Show Despite Incident
Ms Bourne praised the Rosewood Show Society for another outstanding two-day event, including a popular bull-riding night and a fireworks finale.
“The volunteers are just incredible,” she said. “They pulled off an amazing show, and it was a real highlight for the community.”
However, she also acknowledged that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle near the grounds on Friday night. In response, she and federal MP Shane Neumann will meet with the Show Society to assess safety improvements.
🛣️ Big Projects Delayed, But Still On the Radar
While the State Budget didn’t deliver immediate funds for several key transport projects, Ms Bourne said she would keep pressure on the government to ensure:
- The Second Bremer River Crossing
- Mount Crosby Road Interchange upgrades
- Bremer River Bridge safety improvements
all remain top priorities.
“They’re crucial for safety and growth. The budget shows planning money in QTRIP, but most construction isn’t scheduled until after 2025–26 — and that’s too far off for our growing community.”
🕊️ Farewell to a Local Legend
Ms Bourne also reflected on attending the funeral of Clive Nicholls, a respected community leader and namesake of the multipurpose building at Rosewood State High School.
“Clive was a remarkable man who gave so much to Rosewood and beyond. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched,” she said.
Ms Bourne concluded the segment by promising to keep fighting for Ipswich West — “hopefully in warmer weather next time.”
For more local updates, tune in to State of Play every week on West Bremer Radio.
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