Improved connectivity and a greater range of choice for residents, visitors and businesses to travel around Ipswich are the major focuses of a renewed transport strategy.
Ipswich City Council on Thursday endorsed the iGO Ipswich Transport Strategy 2025 to provide a blueprint for advancing the city’s transport network in the years ahead.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said since Ipswich’s first integrated transport plan was released nine years ago, the city’s population had grown by more than 75,000 and new challenges for the transport network had emerged.
“With our population on track to grow from more than 265,000 to well over half a million by 2046, transport remains a critical issue for the people of Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
“The updated iGO Ipswich Transport Strategy 2025 defines our aspirations when it comes to moving around our city.
“Our priorities are clear: We want our residents to have more choice when it comes to transport and our neighbourhoods, suburbs and communities to be connected, easily accessible and sustainable.
“The new strategy highlights important opportunities for a better Ipswich transport network, with a sharper focus on more active and public transport as well as expanding and increasing the resilience of our network of roads.”
“Nine years ago, 84.5 per cent of trips in Ipswich were made by car. That figure hasn’t really changed, highlighting the need to refocus our efforts for more sustainable, efficient and affordable transport methods and leveraging the advantages of new transport technologies where appropriate.
“The need to collaborate with other levels of government for increased investment in public transport in Ipswich is urgent.
“Modelling shows an approximately 130 per cent increase in the number of trips to, from and within our city to nearly two million trips per day over the next 20 years.
“This growth is not sustainable with existing transport options. We are in urgent need of the delivery of the proposed Ipswich Central to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor.
“We also need other traffic-busting initiatives such as further development of the local bus network beyond current State Government commitments and delivery of a second Bremer River crossing in Ipswich Central once the detailed business case has been completed.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the updated strategy highlights the importance of council’s ongoing advocacy efforts for transport investment.
“Our reliance on the car is unlikely to change without other levels of government partnering with council to invest in and deliver more sustainable transport options,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“We need to continue to work together to deliver a transport network in Ipswich that gives people viable travel alternatives, supports a thriving and liveable city and benefits our residents from an environmental, financial and health perspective for many generations to come.”
“The iGO Ipswich Transport Strategy 2025 does not outline specific initiatives to be undertaken by council, rather it defines our broad approach to transport policy in terms of strategic direction, prioritisation and investment decision-making.
“We want Ipswich to be a more walkable and rideable city and we will continue to dedicate a significant portion of our Capital Works budget to filling gaps in footpath, bikeway and e-mobility infrastructure.
“Enhancing these characteristics of our city can help create more vibrant places, where people can leave the car at home and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of walking or riding a bike.
“Delivering better outcomes cannot always rely on new or upgraded infrastructure and services.
“The strategy also calls for better use of land around train stations, outlining the need for higher density residential developments in these areas, which are being encouraged through new building height allowances provided by council’s planning scheme, Ipswich City Plan 2025.
“This will enable more people to have easy access to public transport and reduce park and ride demand.”
Read the full iGO Ipswich Transport Strategy 2025 here.
Also read:
>> New figures highlight Ipswich’s exponential growth
>> Bridge, road upgrade to provide easy access over Purga Creek
