Ipswich City Council

Home > About Council > Ipswich 2020 and Beyond >

Themes

The Vision Statement provides a broad picture of what we want for Ipswich over the next two decades. In order to create an Action Plan Framework the following 6 Themes have been derived from the draft Vision Statement. These will assist in determining the actions that need to be undertaken to achieve the Vision.

Land Use

Ipswich is acknowledged as a desirable place to live. Ipswich Central, Ripley Valley Town Centre and the Springfield 'Gateway' CBD and a supporting network of other urban and rural centres are key focii in the creation of highly livable communities, diverse in character and form, yet sharing in a common geography and heritage. Ipswich is clearly established as a regional city with vibrant neighbourhoods and rural towns, thriving business districts and cultural facilities linked by parks, greenspaces and a variety of transportation options. The form of these communities not only enables residents to live close to where they work, shop and play, but is also conserves its landscape richness of bushland, forests, open spaces, rivers and creeks, mountains, valleys and successful farms and agricultural pursuits. Open space backdrops, corridors and breaks create form and identity for the various residential communities and connect with the many centres.

The City's centres framework has facilitated efficient transportation and connectivity which in time enables specialised transit oriented nodes to develop and respond.

Community Spirit

Ipswich is characterised by vibrant, healthy communities, that are:

safe and close-knit, but not closed off, with strong social networks;
have a sense of dignity and independence in the environment they live in; and
are home to a diverse people who are connected by and share in the area's rich heritage.

Close bonds and support networks are created within and between urban and rural communities. Residents take pride in working together to build distinctive, caring communities with safe neighbourhoods, affordable housing, quality education, available human social services and accessible community meeting spaces, parks and recreational opportunities. These communities bring people together and are places where neighbours know and help each other and new residents have embraced the past as part of their futures. Centres play a key role in community, cohesion, shaping, building and identity.

A Strong Diverse Economy

Ipswich supports a dynamic and resilient urban and rural economy where education/learning and innovation are the backbone of and provide a catalyst in creating a diversified economic base. Food, manufacturing, transportation, aeronautical enterprises, education, environmental and agricultural innovation are features of a prosperous area. The economy provides both business and employment opportunities with a full spectrum of remuneration, enabling residents to achieve a high quality of life and a level of prosperity. The City's strategic gateway location, history, recycled water capacity, environmental qualities and diverse urban and rural setting play key roles in the City's economic prosperity.

A Natural Environment

Air quality is a testimony to the integration of the land use/transport planning framework, quality industry standards and the advocacy position the City has taken in regional planning.

Standing on many of the ranges and hillsides, expansive views to the horizon are a common feature of this City.

Integrated Transport and Movement

The City has a rich, biologically diverse and attractive natural environment sustaining a broad range of fauna and flora across its many and varied landscapes. This regional City is nourished by a network of rivers and streams clean enough to be sources of drinking water. The rivers provide opportunities to fish and swim and sustain thriving populations of marine life, birds and other wildlife and plants. Water quality is excellent and contributions are made to sustain the community's economy and natural resource systems outside the City's boundaries.Air quality is a testimony to the integration of the land use/transport planning framework, quality industry standards and the advocacy position the City has taken in regional planning. Standing on many of the ranges and hillsides, expansive views to the horizon are a common feature of this City.

The Ipswich local government area is linked by a transportation system that provides a range of convenient, accessible transportation choices and supports safe and efficient movement of goods and people and social interaction within the City and between communities outside of the City. This system has taken advantage of integrated community design, land use planning, social infrastructure, community character and enhance livability. Integrated land use planning and transport planning has been conducted as part of an interactive and iterative process. At the local level, bikeways and trails play a significant role, complementing the high level transport framework, connecting communities to their centres, schools, open space and work. In an urban setting no front door is greater than 200m from one of these linkages.

Infrastructure and Services

Ipswich's services infrastructure, including water supply sewerage treatment, recycled water, stormwater management, information and telecommunications technologies, energy and solid waste disposal has been provided in an efficient equitable, timely and environmentally sensitive manner meeting the community's needs and to the highest standards. The planning and supply of infrastructure has been co-ordinated and integrated between all levels of government and private sector. Community infrastructure is also provided to serve the most important of social services such as childcare, healthcare, public safety, and community support. These services contribute to the wellbeing of all in the City - young families, the elderly, the disadvantaged, children, and youth.

Last Updated 26 Nov 2008 |

Print this page |