The Ipswich City Council has launched a community consultation process for River Heart Parklands, seeking residents’ input on ways to improve the park’s resilience and reduce future repair costs. The consultation, open until 29 September 2024, aims to deliver a more sustainable park for the Ipswich community.
Mayor Teresa Harding highlighted the park’s vulnerability to flooding due to its proximity to the Bremer River, emphasising the need for smarter rebuilding efforts. “Flooding and severe weather are part of life in Ipswich. We need to work closely with the community to make River Heart Parklands more flood-resilient,” said Mayor Harding.
Since its opening in 2007, River Heart Parklands has been affected by six flood events, damaging structures not designed to withstand inundation. Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Cr Andrew Antoniolli praised the park’s value but acknowledged the costly impacts of flooding. “Regular flooding has corroded many structures, especially over-water ones,” he said.
In June 2024, the council approved the removal of most over-water structures to enhance resilience and reduce maintenance costs, with expenses expected to reach $1 million.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle stressed the importance of public involvement in shaping the park’s future. “We want to understand how the park has been used and how the community envisions it moving forward,” Cr Doyle said.
Residents are invited to participate in the consultation by attending one of eight pop-up sessions or providing feedback online. For more information, visit Shape Your Ipswich.
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