Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has outlined a series of major community, environmental and tourism initiatives during her weekly update on West Bremer Radio.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mayor Harding confirmed that Ipswich City Council is preparing to open a new 83-hectare bushland reserve on Paynes Road at Ebbw Vale, providing residents with greater access to natural spaces.
The reserve includes wetlands and native wildlife habitat and has the potential to become a designated koala conservation area. Council is now seeking public input on how the site should be developed.
Residents are invited to share ideas on features such as walking trails, lookout points, day-use areas and educational signage through the Shape Your Ipswich consultation website.
Funding for the project comes from environmental offset payments made by the Tea Tree Bioenergy Company, which are required to be reinvested into community and environmental initiatives.
Mayor Harding said the reserve will also act as a buffer between residential areas and nearby industrial development.
“It’s a beautiful location and a great opportunity for the community to shape how it’s used,” she said.
Tourism and New Attractions
The Mayor also highlighted renewed momentum in the local tourism sector following the first Ipswich Tourism Operator Network meeting of the year, held at Queensland Raceway Willowbank.
The network, operating since 2011, brings together tourism, hospitality and business operators to promote the city and support economic growth.
Several new attractions are set to open this year, including:
- GripSwitch Climbing Gym, Ipswich’s first dedicated bouldering facility
- Flip Out Ipswich Bundamba, opening at the former bowling centre site
- Area 51 Bundamba, featuring multi-level play and ninja courses
Council has also secured the Ipswich Outdoor Living 4×4 and Caravan Expo, which will be held at the Ipswich Showgrounds in October.
Mayor Harding said tourism continues to play a vital role in supporting local businesses and jobs.
“When visitors come here, they spend in our community, and that helps keep the economy strong,” she said.
Drainage Works Completed
Infrastructure upgrades were also highlighted, with council completing major drainage works along Champions Way near the motorsport precinct.
The project aimed to reduce flooding and manage stormwater flows affecting downstream properties. Works included the installation of 22 reinforced concrete box culverts, new diversion drains and headwalls.
Construction began in mid-2025 and was completed last week.
Mayor Harding thanked residents for their patience during the works.
“This is a high-profile area with heavy traffic and lots of visitors, so it was important to get this right,” she said.
Community Events and Celebrations
The Mayor also acknowledged the success of this year’s Waitangi Day celebrations in Ipswich, which attracted more than 8,800 people.
She noted that around 4.2 per cent of Ipswich residents are of New Zealand heritage, with the event reflecting the city’s strong multicultural community.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere and a great celebration of culture,” she said.
Looking Ahead
Mayor Harding encouraged residents to stay engaged with council projects and community consultations, particularly around the new bushland reserve.
She also promoted upcoming events, including charity fun runs and tourism activities, as Ipswich continues to grow as a destination and lifestyle city.
“There’s a lot happening across our city,” she said. “It’s an exciting time for Ipswich.”
0 Comments