Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard has expressed disappointment that the region has been largely overlooked in the latest Brisbane 2032 Olympic venue announcements, despite hopes for greater investment in local infrastructure. Speaking on State of Play on West Bremer Radio, Howard acknowledged the decision to host the equestrian events in Toowoomba made sense but said Ipswich residents had expected more.
“The good news is Brighton Homes Arena has been confirmed as an Olympic venue, and we’ve received just under $2 million for grassroots sports,” Howard said. “But many people are still disappointed, and we really wanted to know where the main stadium was going to be.”
Local Council Dysfunction a Factor in Missed Opportunities
Howard suggested that ongoing dysfunction within Ipswich City Council may have affected the city’s ability to secure Olympic investment. “Councils need to be united and have a shared vision to attract investment,” she noted, pointing to frequent disputes between councillors and the mayor.
Flood Recovery Efforts Following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Howard also reflected on the region’s response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which recently impacted Ipswich. She, alongside other local MPs, successfully lobbied for state disaster funding to include all Ipswich suburbs after initial allocations excluded flood-prone areas.
“We managed to ensure all Ipswich suburbs were covered, and the community recovery hub in Tulmur Place has now closed after doing great work,” she said. “Our SES volunteers, police, and council disaster teams did an exceptional job, and Energex restored power to nearly 4,000 residents in record time.”
Major Housing and Infrastructure Updates
Howard provided an update on Ipswich’s $21 million social housing project in partnership with Churches of Christ. The initiative has delivered 41 one- and two-bedroom homes for seniors, freeing up larger public housing for families in need.
“It’s a fantastic model that not only provides safe housing for older residents but also helps address our broader housing crisis,” she said.
Meanwhile, she called on the state’s new Transport and Main Roads Minister to commit to a timeline for the long-awaited Herbert Street Bridge rebuild.
“When the river floods, areas like Sadliers Crossing and Coalfalls become isolated,” Howard explained. “The funding for a new bridge has been secured, but we need a clear timeline. I’ll be holding the government to account on this.”
Community Consultation on Special School Expansion
Ipswich residents are encouraged to provide feedback on a proposed three-story learning centre at Ipswich Special School, funded under the previous state government.
“The school has been doing it tough, so this investment is essential,” Howard said. “Public consultation is open until April 11, and people can find the details on my Facebook page or the state development website.”
Elder Abuse Inquiry and TAFE Graduation Highlights
Howard urged locals to participate in the ongoing elder abuse inquiry, which is collecting submissions until April 10.
“Elder abuse is one of the most insidious forms of abuse, often committed by close family members,” she said. “If you have a story to share, we need to hear it.”
She also attended the Ipswich TAFE graduation ceremony, describing it as a “beautiful event” that highlighted the transformative impact of vocational education.
Youth Parliament Representation
Howard closed by welcoming Sarah Latina, Ipswich’s 2025 representative for the Queensland Youth Parliament.
“She’s an outstanding young woman, a natural leader, and incredibly bright,” Howard said. “I’m looking forward to working with her this year.”
Looking Ahead
Howard confirmed she will continue pushing for more investment in Ipswich and will provide further updates in the coming weeks.
0 Comments