Ipswich residents are being asked whether the city should return to 10 single-councillor divisions, as Council argues the current four-division model is creating duplication, confusion and increasingly large areas for councillors to represent.
Mayor Teresa Harding said community consultation was now underway on the proposed change, while Ipswich has also celebrated the official start of the $40 million North Ipswich Reserve grandstand redevelopment.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio, Mayor Harding also highlighted a packed calendar of activities underway for Queensland Seniors Month.
Residents asked to have their say on divisions
Ipswich currently operates with four divisions, each represented by two councillors.
Mayor Harding said Council was seeking community views about returning to the previous model of 10 single-member divisions, which existed before the former council was dismissed.
“We used to have 10 single-member council divisions, and then after the council was dismissed, the administrator and the state brought in four divisions with two councillors each,” she said.
“We’re the only council in Queensland that has that arrangement.”
Mayor Harding said Council had previously approached the State Government in 2022 seeking a change but was told the new system had not been operating long enough to properly assess it.
She said Council’s view had become clearer after another four years.
“It’s now six and a half years in, and we’ve gone back to the state saying it’s not working,” she said.
“We really want to go back to a system where we can represent the community much better.”
Under the existing model, Mayor Harding said councillors could be responsible for almost 70,000 residents spread across communities with significantly different needs.
She pointed to Division 1, which stretches from Redbank Plains and Ripley through Deebing Heights and out to Grandchester.
Council believes moving to 10 divisions would give individual councillors a smaller area to represent while reducing confusion and duplication created by having two councillors responsible for the same division.
Mayor Harding acknowledged a boundary change would also create uncertainty for sitting councillors because the final boundaries of any new divisions were not yet known.
“The councillors are probably being quite courageous politically as well,” she said.
“They have been really focused on what is the best outcome for the community.
“We do think going to 10 councillors again would be a much better outcome for our community.”
Residents can provide feedback through Shape Your Ipswich until October 18.
Mayor Harding said Council’s consultation would form part of its submission, while the State Government would also undertake consultation as part of the boundary review process.
First sod turned on $40 million grandstand
Meanwhile, construction of the new Western Grandstand at North Ipswich Reserve has officially begun.
Mayor Harding joined representatives including Queensland Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander, Blair MP Shayne Neumann and the Ipswich Jets for the ceremonial turning of the first sod.
The new $40 million Western Grandstand will provide 2,199 seats and is expected to be ready for the 2028 rugby league season.
The project will include NRL-compliant change rooms, coaches’ boxes, media facilities, function facilities capable of accommodating up to 250 people, a new scoreboard and upgraded lighting.
Mayor Harding said the redevelopment would benefit more than just the Ipswich Jets, creating a higher-standard facility for local sporting clubs and potentially major events.
“It’ll just be much better,” she said.
“I think what’s really important too is that it’ll mean that the venue will be also available for the Games, so whether it’s an event or as a training venue, it also means we have a world-standard venue for that to occur.”
Bigger stadium vision remains
The Western Grandstand is being viewed as the first stage of a larger vision for North Ipswich Reserve.
Mayor Harding said future ambitions included a high-performance centre, additional seating and ultimately a stadium capable of accommodating between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators.
The development also comes as the Ipswich Jets continue pursuing an NRL licence as part of a Western Corridor bid.
Mayor Harding acknowledged competition for expansion was strong, including a rival push from Toowoomba.
“It’s a competition — make no bones about it. It’s highly competitive,” she said.
“I don’t blame any city in Queensland who wants to have a rugby league team, but I guess Ipswich’s bid is very strong.”
Mayor Harding pointed to Ipswich’s long rugby league history, saying the sport had been played locally since 1909 and describing the city as a “nursery of rugby league”.
She also highlighted Ipswich Citizen of the Year and rugby league star Ali Brigginshaw as an example of the talent produced by the region.
Council would continue working alongside the Jets through the NRL bid process, she said.
Mayor Harding also suggested Ipswich and Toowoomba could ultimately work together as part of a broader Western Corridor model if the licence was secured.
“If we got the licence, we know that we would work very closely with Toowoomba and the Clydesdales as part of that Western Corridor bid,” she said.
Seniors Month underway across Ipswich
October is also Seniors Month, with events being held across Ipswich to recognise the contribution older residents make to the community.
Mayor Harding said celebrations had already included an event marking Probus’ 50 years in Australia.
A range of additional activities are scheduled throughout the month, including morning teas at local shopping centres and Springfield community facilities, as well as a community gathering hosted by Churches of Christ later in October.
Residents can also participate in activities ranging from learning to play the ukulele and Tai Chi to exploring local gardens.
Mayor Harding said many of the activities were free or low-cost and encouraged residents to check Council’s information for the full program.
“It’s great to highlight what our seniors contribute to our community and also how we can give back to them, because they do so much in our community,” she said.
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