With four weeks to go until the nation votes in the 2022 Federal Election, council has let local federal election candidates know its priorities for the city from 2022 and beyond.
All candidates began their formal election campaigns this week, with 21 May set as the date for the city and nation to have their say.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said road, rail and critical infrastructure are among the priority projects council would seek commitments from whomever formed the next Federal Government.
“Now is the time for federal election candidates to deliver for the Ipswich community,” Mayor Harding said.
“By 2041, Ipswich will exceed the Sunshine Coast in population. With such incredible growth already transforming our community and their needs, now is the time to invest in big-ticket items that will fundamentally improve our way of life.
“Council has done the hard work in identifying and building a robust evidence base for the projects that will deliver on our vision of a city of opportunity for all, and now it’s time for candidates to step up and deliver for the city.”
Ipswich City Council is advocating for the following commitments:
- $10 million towards the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor Options Analysis and Detailed Business Case to ensure this project is shovel-ready. Read more about the City Deal boost to the business case for rail and public transport.
- $2.5 million for an Ipswich Central Second River Crossing (Norman Street Bridge) business case.
- Unlocking 6,000 FTE jobs in the future Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area by delivering critical trunk infrastructure and the Ebenezer Intermodal Terminal.
- $2.5 million towards the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct investigations.
- A commitment to review and reform waste and resource recovery policy and infrastructure and deliver a waste industry transformation plan.
- A commitment to upgrading our critical road network to improve safety and reduce travel times across the Cunningham, Warrego and Centenary highways and the Ripley PDA.
Mayor Harding said that council was delighted that projects on its Federal Election wish list were already attracting commitments.
“We are excited that our much-needed projects are gaining recognition. The SEQ City Deal delivered a tripartite commitment towards the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor, and the Australian Labor Party committed $20 million to make North Ipswich Reserve NRL-ready.”
Ipswich Jets CEO Richard Hughes, Shadow Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen, Member for Blair Hon Shayne Neumann MP, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan, Western Pride head coach Pye Augustine and Rugby League Ipswich chairman Dane McQueen.
“There is still more work to be done, which is why council will be engaging with all our local federal election candidates to ensure they know what’s important to Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
“These priorities will make sure the people of Ipswich are healthy, productive and empowered, and most importantly, help them reduce their cost of living, work locally, and make sure they get home safely to their families at the end of the day,” Mayor Harding said.
Detailed information on council’s federal election priorities can be found at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/advocacy
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