Ipswich City Council is encouraging residents to provide feedback for an application to have the former Medical Superintendent’s Residence at Ipswich Hospital included on the Queensland Heritage Register.
The impressive residence, on the corner of Court Street and Nicholas Street, was built in 1941. It is considered a significant part of Ipswich’s social and architectural history and many in the community seek its protection and conservation.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s Planning and Heritage Branch was currently considering the application.
“I am passionate about protecting and celebrating the heritage of our communities,” Cr Doyle said.
“Growing up in Ipswich, Queensland’s oldest provincial city, surrounded by Colonial, Federation, and timber-and-tin architecture, sparked my affinity for heritage and architecture.
“In Ipswich, we have lost so many significant heritage and historical buildings that were victims of poor decisions in the 80s; many beautiful buildings were just bulldozed and replaced with modern structures that are now outdated.
“We must do everything in our powers to ensure properties such as the former Medical Superintendent’s residence are kept and not lost forever.
“I think this is one of those character buildings we need in Ipswich to preserve some of our history. Not only is it a fine example, but it is also a rich part of the history of Ipswich and the evolution of medical care for our community.”
When Ipswich Hospital was originally built in 1859 it fronted East Street, which ran through to Gray Street (now Chermside Avenue). In 1883, a piece of land across the road was resumed and the original Medical Superintendent’s residence – “a handsome villa residence with nine rooms of generous proportions” – was built.
In 1936, this section of East Street was closed to provide for hospital expansion, including a maternity ward, and the superintendent’s house was removed. A new residence, the one we can see today, was completed on the corner of Court Street and Nicholas Street five years later.
Ipswich resident Michael Pick undertook extensive research on the unique property and recently applied for the 85-year-old residence to be considered for inclusion on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Mr Pick, a retired schoolteacher currently doing a PhD in architectural history, said the residence was designed by well-respected Brisbane architect Douglas Roberts, who had studied in America, and came up with a unique and innovative “functionalist style” for this property.
“It was designed to be something modern for the times, moving away from the traditional timber-and-tin we had throughout Queensland. It was quite a unique design for medical superintendents’ residences pre-1960s and one that should be preserved today,” Mr Pick said.
He said another significant reason for its retention was the adjacent Bunya tree, which was donated by the Brisbane Botanical Gardens and planted in 1867 and was the last surviving tree of that era in the area. It was planted for “medicinal purposes” to help hospital patients recovering from illnesses.
The State Government has called for submissions on his application to be lodged by 19 October 2026.
“Ipswich is home to a trove of stunning and significant heritage treasures, including more than 7,000 protected places,” Cr Doyle said.
“These places give us insight into our past and help us build our understanding of how we became the vibrant and thriving city of 275,000 people we are today.
“Heritage management becomes increasingly important as our city continues to grow at a rapid rate, with our population expected to double by 2046.
“I am acutely aware of the challenges cities face as they change and grow, and the tension between providing new opportunities for people to live, work and play while preserving that city’s heritage.”
Council recently adopted the Ipswich Heritage Plan 2025-2029, which provides the city with a strategic direction for proactive heritage management as well as greater protection of significant sites.
Cr Doyle, a former member of the Queensland Heritage Council, said the five-year plan identifies council’s role in preserving, enhancing and celebrating Ipswich’s cultural and historical legacy.
“Council takes seriously its role as a custodian of Ipswich heritage, whether it be as the trustee of heritage-listed buildings or through initiatives such as our Picture Ipswich website and our recent refurbishment of the 115-year-old Hotel Commonwealth in the Nicholas Street Precinct,” Cr Doyle said.
Cr Doyle said the city’s new planning scheme, Ipswich City Plan 2025, had also ensured stronger protection of local heritage and character places, with the number of modifications to character properties increasing as the city faced growing development pressures.
As part of the plan’s first amendment in early 2026, council identified two new places for local heritage protection and anticipates adding more local character places to the plan over time.
Council has a live portal at Shapeyouripswich.com.au/characterplacenomination for the community to identify other places that may warrant heritage protection.
Cr Doyle said residents could respond to the government’s call for submissions on the Medical Superintendent’s residence here.
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