Ipswich City Council will continue to advocate for major transport infrastructure, in the wake of a Federal budget that saw only $4 million in funding allocated to the Warrego Highway – Mt Crosby Road interchange.
Mayor Teresa Harding said council’s focus will now turn to the forthcoming Federal election and the proposed SEQ City Deal to push for further funding commitments for the Ipswich community.
“As Queensland’s fastest growing city, it was disappointing to see a lack of investment in this year’s Federal Budget for essential transport and community infrastructure to support the growth of Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
“As the Commonwealth allocates funding included in this budget across various programs, I call on our Federal representatives to consider the growing needs of the Ipswich community.
“Earlier this year, Ipswich welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Hon Michael McCormack MP, to Ripley to get a firsthand experience of the significant growth in this corridor.
“Council highlighted the importance of the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor to ensure the additional 325,000 residents that will move to Ipswich by 2041 have access to transport, education and essential services.”
The Queensland Government committed $1 million to the Options Analysis for the Ipswich to Springfield Public Transport Corridor in the lead-up to the 2020 State Elections, conditional on council and the Commonwealth Government funding the remaining $1.5 million.
The Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor was added to the Infrastructure Australia Infrastructure Priority List in February 2021, recognising the case for change presented in Ipswich City Council’s Strategic Assessment for the corridor.
Mayor Harding welcomed the allocation of funding for the Mt Crosby Road interchange and stressed the need for future funding for significant projects across the city.
“On behalf of the Ipswich community, I thank the Australian Government for its support to-date of Council’s delivery of local roads and community projects,” Mayor Harding said.
Earlier this year, council identified its 10 most significant projects that will have a catalytic impact on the liveability, social accessibility and economic prosperity of Ipswich.
These projects are set to unlock economic opportunities for the region, attract both public and private investment, and have a lasting beneficial impact on our economy and quality of life. These projects require Federal and State government funding for Queensland’s fastest growing council area:
- Ipswich Central to Springfield Central (I2S) Public Transport Corridor
- Ipswich Central Second River Crossing
- Cunningham Highway upgrades (Yamanto to Ebenezer Creek)
- Mt Crosby Interchange
- Ripley Valley Catalyst Infrastructure
- North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct
- Waste and Recycling Reform and Circular Economy
- Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area
- University of Southern Queensland (USQ) – Ipswich Tartan Track
- South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal
