Festive Cheer, Community Plans, and Resilience: Division 1’s Christmas Highlights

Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine is embracing the holiday spirit, highlighting Christmas activities, community initiatives, and resilience programs across the area.

“I’m a Christmas person through and through,” Cr Augustine said, sharing her excitement for festive events and the city’s Christmas lights competition. Residents are encouraged to enter their dazzling displays, with over $8,000 in prizes up for grabs. A Christmas lights trail map will also guide residents to the best displays across Ipswich.

Ipswich Libraries’ beloved Letters to Santa program has returned, giving children the chance to send their Christmas wish lists and receive replies from Santa himself.

For holiday shoppers, the Ripley Markets on December 14 offer a wide array of stalls with unique gifts and local produce. “I always believe in shopping local and supporting local businesses,” Cr Augustine said.

Resilience Planning for Flood-Affected Areas
Reflecting on the devastating 2022 floods, Augustine provided an update on the Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Buyback Program, which has seen over 200 flood-prone properties purchased across 16 Ipswich suburbs. The result is 500,000 square metres of green space now available for community use.

Residents are invited to share their ideas for the land via the Shape Your Ipswich platform until December 8. Augustine emphasized that while development is restricted, the land could still serve a valuable purpose for the community.

Storm Season Readiness
With storm season in full swing, Augustine reminded residents to prepare. “Council hosts pop-up sessions and offers resources to help people stay safe and ready,” she said. The council’s disaster dashboard provides real-time updates on power outages, traffic alerts, and emergency situations.

Cr Augustine will be spreading holiday cheer at local events, including Raceview’s spectacular Christmas tree display. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone,” she said, promising an even brighter 2025 for Division 1.