Rapid population growth across Ipswich’s western suburbs is placing increasing pressure on roads, schools and essential services, with Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne calling for greater investment to keep pace with expanding communities.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s State of Play, Ms Bourne said residents were increasingly frustrated by traffic congestion and the challenges associated with new housing developments.
The local MP also provided updates on ongoing odour concerns in Tivoli and North Ipswich, preparations for storm and bushfire season, and a busy month of community celebrations.
Western Growth Corridor under pressure
With major residential developments continuing across Walloon, Rosewood and surrounding areas, Ms Bourne said infrastructure needed to keep pace with the growing population.
She said residents were already experiencing significant pressure on the road network, particularly around major interchanges.
“We are having massive growth through our area,” Ms Bourne said.
“You just have to look at the housing development in Walloon, and we’ve got housing in Thagoona, and of course it’s happening in Rosewood as well.”
Ms Bourne said traffic congestion was one of the most common issues raised with her office.
“I get hundreds of emails and calls from people who are just — whether it’s the Mount Crosby interchange or the Amberley interchange — the pressure is significant on our roads at the moment,” she said.
However, she stressed that the challenges extended beyond roads.
New and expanding communities also needed adequate schools, public transport and other essential services to support families moving into the area.
“We want to be able to have schools and all of those facilities that people expect from paying their taxes in place when they move into a new community,” she said.
Ms Bourne encouraged residents to participate in Ipswich City Council’s consultation on infrastructure needs across the Western Growth Corridor.
She said feedback from people living in affected communities would help demonstrate where investment was most urgently needed.
New restrictions welcomed amid odour concerns
Ms Bourne also provided an update on ongoing odour complaints associated with waste operations in the Tivoli and North Ipswich area.
She said Candy Soil had recently been issued with a list of restrictions on materials that could be dumped at its site, describing the development as positive news for nearby residents.
“Candy Soil have just been given a list of restrictions of what they’re not allowed to dump onto that site, so that’s good news for the community to try and reduce the odour,” she said.
However, Ms Bourne said she would continue pushing the State Government to establish a dedicated community reference group for the area.
While a similar group operates in Swanbank, she argued that Tivoli and North Ipswich faced different circumstances because residential neighbourhoods, schools and sporting facilities were located close to industrial activities.
“Swanbank is a completely different area than Tivoli and North Ipswich, where we’ve got quite a large housing community as well as a school and sporting fields,” she said.
Ms Bourne said residents deserved greater involvement in discussions about the operations affecting their neighbourhoods.
“If it is there, and has been there for some time, we want to make sure the restrictions are in place and that they’re doing the right thing,” she said.
“A community reference group would be the absolute right thing for our community.”
She said she would continue advocating for the proposal.
Seniors Month morning tea planned
October is Queensland Seniors Month, and Ms Bourne is preparing to host a community morning tea to recognise the contributions of older residents.
The event will be held on Monday, October 19, at the Ipswich Sports Club.
Ms Bourne said the morning would celebrate the important role seniors have played in shaping the local community.
“They’ve made an enormous contribution to our community and, of course, to Queensland,” she said.
The event will feature several guest speakers, including Nadine Webster, who will deliver a presentation covering scams and personal safety.
Representatives from the aged care sector will also attend, with morning tea refreshments including sandwiches, cake, coffee and tea.
Ms Bourne said she was looking forward to bringing local seniors together for the occasion.
Rosewood Men’s Shed seeks new home
Ms Bourne has also been working with a local Men’s Shed group seeking new premises.
She recently met with members of the Rosewood Men’s Shed at Tallegalla and said she had written to the Ipswich City Council chief executive officer about the possibility of the group relocating to the Tallegalla State School site.
Ms Bourne praised the skills and community spirit of the members, who regularly undertake practical projects benefiting local organisations.
“They’re an amazing group of men,” she said.
“They’re in the process of repairing some church pews at the moment, so they do a wide range of things for the community.”
She said securing suitable premises would help the group continue its activities and community contributions.
Six hundred new Australian citizens welcomed
Ipswich has also welcomed approximately 600 new Australian citizens through two citizenship ceremonies held on the same day.
Ms Bourne said each ceremony involved around 300 people, reflecting strong demand for citizenship ceremonies in the region.
She said the occasions were particularly meaningful because many participants had already been living in Australia for more than a decade.
“Some of these people are not just new arrivals,” she said.
“Some of them have been here 13, 14 and 15 years, and have decided to get their citizenship and are very proud indeed.”
Ms Bourne described the ceremonies as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the local community.
Schools and community achievements celebrated
Local schools have also featured prominently in Ms Bourne’s recent engagements.
She attended the Mercy Day Mass at St Mary’s College and the Foundation Day Assembly at Ipswich Grammar School.
Ms Bourne praised a former Ipswich Grammar student who delivered what she described as an inspirational address to students.
She is also looking forward to Ipswich State High School’s upcoming awards evening.
Recently, student leaders from Ipswich State High School visited Queensland Parliament, where they observed Question Time and enjoyed lunch with the local MP.
Ms Bourne said the visit provided an opportunity for students to learn more about parliamentary processes and leadership.
The students also joined her in making a TikTok video.
“It was good fun,” she said.
Breast cancer awareness highlighted
With October marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ms Bourne also encouraged residents to remain aware of changes in their health and seek medical advice when something does not seem right.
She recently attended the West Moreton Health Foundation’s Go Pink fundraising event, where a young woman from Ipswich Hospital shared her personal experience of breast cancer.
Ms Bourne described the presentation as deeply moving.
“There was not a dry eye in the room,” she said.
She stressed the importance of awareness and early detection for people of all ages.
Garden Spectacular attracts strong crowds
The Ipswich Garden Spectacular was another highlight of Ms Bourne’s community calendar.
The event, organised by the Ipswich Orchid Society and Bromeliad Society, attracted approximately 1,000 visitors over two days, according to Ms Bourne.
She praised the dedication of exhibitors and said it was encouraging to see younger growers among those receiving awards.
“These are people who are very dedicated to growing their orchids and their bromeliads,” she said.
Ms Bourne also admitted she had added a few plants to her own collection during the visit.
Remembering Queensland’s police officers
National Police Remembrance Day was another significant occasion, with Ms Bourne attending a commemorative service at St Mary’s Church in Ipswich.
She described the service as particularly moving, especially the reading of the names of officers who had died.
Ms Bourne also paid tribute to former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, reflecting on his service and recent death from cancer.
“It’s a day that we should stop and remember how police protect us in society,” she said.
Residents urged to prepare for severe weather
As Queensland moves further into spring, Ms Bourne also reinforced the importance of emergency preparedness during Get Ready Queensland Week.
She encouraged residents to prepare their properties and households for the possibility of storms, floods and bushfires.
Ms Bourne said conversations with the Member for Lockyer had highlighted dry conditions and recent fire activity in parts of the region.
“Everybody knows how dry it is and how we need rain, so you really do need to be prepared,” she said.
She also repeated an important road safety message for wet weather.
“If it’s flooded, forget it.”
With major infrastructure challenges, environmental concerns and community activities all on the agenda, Ms Bourne said she would continue advocating for the needs of Ipswich West residents while encouraging the community to have its say on issues affecting the region.
0 Comments