The redevelopment of Ipswich Central continues to progress with planning approval for key parts of the project secured.
Ipswich City Council is redeveloping Ipswich Central to breathe new life into the city’s CBD.
The project includes a new council administration centre, library, civic and outdoor events space and the return of Nicholas Street (currently the mall) to a one-way road for low-speed traffic.
A development application for the library and refurbishment of vacant buildings on the western side of the current mall was lodged in February 2018 and approved on 24 December.
A civic precinct will include a new library/visitor information centre, cafe/restaurant type uses and a new amenities building.
A second precinct, with a food and beverage focus, will include the refurbishment of existing buildings on the western side of the current mall and adjacent to Bottle Alley.
It will allow for cafe/restaurant/hotel type businesses over two levels.
Pedestrian connectivity to Bradfield Bridge will be improved and a total of 1035 car parking spaces retained in the existing car park over six levels.
The approval follows the awarding recently of two tenders – one to develop historic Murphy’s Pub and another to build a road to connect Nicholas and Bell streets.
A one-way road for low-speed traffic will be reinstated along Nicholas Street (currently the mall) and Union Place to connect Brisbane Street and Bell Street.
Ipswich City Council Interim Administrator Greg Chemello said the library approval was an important milestone.
“With complex projects such as this, there are many important milestones along the way and securing this planning approval is among them,” he said.
“It is another indicator that the community can be confident the overall redevelopment is continuing to progress.
“There will be plenty of work taking place in the mall this year beginning with the continuation of work to reinstate Nicholas Street to a one-way road for low-speed traffic.
“The grand vision is to create a new civic, cultural community heart for the broader city of Ipswich that compliments existing developments and that the city will be proud of for many decades to come.”
Council is also continuing to work with CBD traders on minimising the impact of construction on businesses.
Also read: CBD commitments put Ipswich back on track
The area that will be refurbished with a food and beverage focus as part of the redevelopment.
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