1. Christmas comes early for community groups
Santa has given a big thumbs up to 33 community organisations with Ipswich City Council distributing $40,000 worth of Christmas grants to groups including churches, schools, charities and support bodies.
The grants will help these non-profit community organisations host Christmas and New Year events involving thousands of Ipswich ratepayers and their families. We are recognising more than 30 events across the region and celebrating the festive season. These organisations spread joy at a very important time of year.
2. Ipswich Libraries achieves eSmart status
Ipswich Libraries has joined only nine other library services in Queensland to become eSmart. The program supports digital inclusion and promotes smart, safe and responsible use of online technologies.
Initiatives undertaken in Ipswich include promotion of online safety via news posts, brochures and public workshops, and partnering with experts in the field of internet safety to develop a range of information sessions for the community and library staff to raise the level of awareness and foster safe online practices.
3. Plan to protect Deebing Creek
A snapshot of Deebing Creek will help council monitor the environmental impacts of future residential development, road upgrades, a criterium track construction and proposed local bikeway.
The Deebing Creek corridor is a valued natural system which supports the sustainable movement of people and connects the community to key centres, open spaces, the natural environment and Ipswich’s cultural history.
4. Driver training centre for Willowbank
Novices behind the wheel, bus and truck drivers, car club, advanced and elite drivers may soon get the chance to further enhance their skills with plans to open a driver training centre at Willowbank’s Motorsport Park.
An opportunity exists for council to facilitate the establishment of a driver training centre within the confines of the park. Currently there are no designated, purpose-built driver training facilities in close proximity of Ipswich.
5. Summer storm poster competition
School students are encouraged to get their pens, pencils, crayons and art brushes at the ready and design the best poster depicting flood safety and what to do if you are caught in a summer storm, with $2,500 worth of prizes on offer.
The Summer Storm and Flood Safety poster competition is an opportunity to engage children in a creative fashion about disaster management and preparedness, should they experience disaster adversity in the future.
