Community Matters - January 2024

City-wide Update Mayor Teresa Harding

UPGRADE PLANS PROGRESS Plans to improve the city’s premier performing arts facility, Ipswich Civic Centre, are progressing. at what opportunities there are for the Civic Centre.

SECURING OUR CITY’S 2032 LEGACY Ensuring our city maximises the opportunities on offer in the lead up to, during and beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane is a major focus for your council. To bring these opportunities to the fore and grasp them with both hands, council has developed the Leveraging 2032: Our Roadmap to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. “The Games is expected to deliver $8 billion in economic benefits for Queensland,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said. “Our roadmap showcases opportunities that we know can deliver outcomes to advance Ipswich and positively contribute to the legacies driven by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “Sport is a powerful driver, it brings us together, improves health and well-being, and builds positive and productive communities. However, the 2032 Games is far more than just a sporting event. “Our community has highlighted transport connectivity as the most important legacy outcome for our city, ensuring we are connected to each other and to our neighbouring councils in a safe, efficient and reliable way. “Our roadmap sets a foundation to achieve this and many other legacy opportunities in the lead up to, during and beyond the 2032 Games. The next decade will represent a golden era for the south-east, and Ipswich is well placed to take full advantage of the opportunities before us.” View the Leveraging

“CBRE’s analysis found there is merit in council progressing Ipswich Civic Centre redevelopment plans to the next stage. “Council allocated $200,000 in its 2023-2024 Budget to proceed with a level of further due diligence including technical assessments, high level concept designs and cost estimates. “This is an important project for our city and council wants to ensure that as our population grows, so too do our community facilities.”

The centre was established in 1975 as a civic hall and while it has been adapted over time, it needs an upgrade to better serve the community, including local performers, into the future. “As a result of the centre’s age there are also growing maintenance requirements,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said. “For these reasons, council engaged CBRE to undertake an early-stage business case to look

MILESTONES KEEP COMING FOR NICHOLAS STREET PRECINCT

The milestones have been coming thick and fast for our emerging city heart, the Nicholas Street Precinct, as it charges ahead into the New Year. An important celebration was marked recently with the last beam bolted into place on the roof at the future home of new entertainment and recreation in Ipswich – the building on the corner of Brisbane and Ellenborough streets. “The restoration of this site from an un-maintained, empty building to what will be a lively, attractive centrepiece to Ipswich’s re-emerging city heart is a major project,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said. “In the coming months, focus will turn to completion of the internal fit-out as council continues working with leasing agents Colliers to secure an exciting range of tenants. The building will be the home of HOYTS Cinemas and other entertainment options later this year.

Mayor Teresa Harding with Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson (left) and HOYTS representative Luke Ormsby

“Combined with the exciting progress on the Commonwealth Hotel at the northern end of Nicholas Street, Ipswich residents will benefit from a remarkable, revitalised heart before the end of this year. “Across all of the Nicholas Street Precinct, we have 11 tenants now secured with more on the way.” Leases secured across the Precinct so far include HOYTS, Aus Hotels, Gelatissimo, TerryWhite Chemmart, That Dumpling Place, Zambrero, Sushi Hyo, Sofia Nails, Stellarossa, Bun Bun Bao and Austhetica.

2032 roadmap at Ipswich.qld.gov.au

2