Ipswich residents are celebrating a major boost to local public transport, with 1,198 new weekly bus services officially launched this week. Mayor Teresa Harding joined the first early-morning passengers on Monday as improved routes rolled out across the city, marking the beginning of a long-awaited upgrade.
The expansion forms part of a $70 million Queensland Government investment under the Ipswich and Logan Bus Service Improvement Package. Mayor Harding said the upgrades were vital for a rapidly growing region.
“Ipswich is the fastest-growing city in Queensland. These new services are desperately needed,” she said. “Yesterday’s launch is the first stage, with two more stages to come over the next two years.”
New and expanded routes will benefit residents in Augustine Heights, Collingwood Park, Redbank Plains, Springfield, Ripley Valley and more. One of the first buses departed Ipswich Central at 5:48am, with excited passengers — including transport enthusiasts from Brisbane — eager to experience the upgraded network. Information on timetables and routes is available on the TransLink website.
Meanwhile, Ipswich was buzzing over the weekend as the Challenge of Nations Netball Tournament kicked off for its 11th year. Eight cultural communities, including Indigenous Australia, Tonga, Cook Islands and Fiji, took part in the colourful competition. Council contributed $7,000 to support the multicultural event.
But the biggest celebrations are still to come, with Christmas in Ipswich just weeks away. The annual Christmas tree lighting at d’Arcy Doyle Place will take place on 27 November, signalling the start of the region’s most popular festival.
A sensory-friendly Christmas night will be held on 15 December, while carols and markets will pop up in Brisbane, Springfield Central, Redbank, Ripley, Raceview, Beval and more. Children can post letters to Santa at Ipswich Libraries or UB’s Milk Bar, with Santa promising a reply.
Mayor Harding encouraged anyone hosting a festive event to contact Council so it can be added to the official program.
“It’s a wonderful time for the community to come together,” she said.
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