The $40 million North Ipswich Reserve Western Grandstand project is proceeding full steam ahead, with final design works in play following completed community engagement.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it was exciting the project was nearing the construction phase, as council reviewed community engagement on the project’s design and planned elements.
The North Ipswich Reserve Western Grandstand project is being jointly funded by the Australian Government ($20 million), the Queensland Government ($10 million) and Ipswich City Council ($10 million).
“Recent community engagement, which has now been completed, allowed us to gather feedback on upgrading the site from its existing designation as a Park to a Major Sport, Recreation and Facility as defined under the Ipswich City Plan 2025,” Mayor Harding said.
“This was an important step which allowed us to further identify and understand key issues, risks and opportunities as well as deepen our understanding of what matters most to the community with this project.
“The feedback received will help inform design elements as they are finalised.
“There’s only a couple of steps left now before construction begins in September, weather and conditions permitting, with construction set to wrap up in late 2027 in time for the start of the 2028 season for the Ipswich Jets.
“Once complete, the $40 million Western Grandstand will include 2,000 seats, male and female dressing rooms with toilets and showers for home and away teams, upgraded public amenities and public spaces, media and coaches’ boxes as well as function facilities for up to 250 guests.
“Council has been championing this project for a long time, and I’m pleased we are moving toward the start of construction.
“Council is proud to partner with the Australian and Queensland governments to deliver this significant project for the Ipswich community – one that will not only please the many sporting fans of our region, but also attract major sporting events, concerts and festivals.
“As we approach the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, this project is perfectly timed to ensure Ipswich can fulfil its role as a co-host city and attract training and cultural opportunities in the lead up to the global event.
“Ipswich residents deserve access to quality community infrastructure that keeps pace with our unprecedented growth as more people move to Ipswich.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the completion of community engagement was another major milestone for the North Ipswich Reserve Western Grandstand project.
“Ipswich is a sports-mad city and this is a major initiative for our community, so it was important to get people’s views, which will now feed into the design of the grandstand,” Mr Neumann said.
“I was proud to secure $20 million in federal funding for this exciting project that will upgrade the North Ipswich Reserve into a state-of-the-art facility able to cater to our growing community and host top-level NRL and A-League fixtures, and concert events.
“The Australian Government will continue to work with the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council to deliver this much-needed project. I’m looking forward to construction kicking off soon, so we can have the new grandstand built by late 2027 in time for the Ipswich Jets 2028 season.
Acting Minister for Sport and Racing and Acting Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Andrew Powell said the North Ipswich Reserve Western Grandstand project would provide infrastructure to benefit the whole community.
“The Crisafulli Government is proud to deliver facilities like these, and we look forward to this project benefitting the community for years to come,” Minister Powell said.
“Facilities like these ensure that our growing regions have the opportunities to host major sporting events, festivals and entertainment, bringing social and economic benefits to the wider community.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering a Games for all of Queensland, and that means delivering world class facilities for young Queenslanders no matter where they are in this state.”
For more details on the project visit council’s website.
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