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Message from the Mayor
New industrial and commercial development in Ipswich is continuing to underpin the strength of the local economy and create new jobs in the region. On the 12 month anniversary of being elected for a second term as Mayor, I am happy to say there is an estimated $5 billion of public and private development planned for Ipswich in the next five years alone. While we are now faced with a world economy under severe pressure, I am quietly confident the city and region can ride out the financial storm better than most. The city enjoyed a long period of substantial growth prior to the downturn and the sheer volume of work planned and the momentum of recently completed, current and future projects will certainly help to sustain the region through to the recovery of world markets. A long list of official openings in recent months include -
Ipswich City Council is also due to settle on the purchase of Ipswich City Square on Monday 16 March, 2009. This transaction will go down in history as the day we turned the corner in terms of setting a new course to bring life and energy back into the traditional heart of Ipswich. In a few weeks the new Riverlink footbridge will be completed to make a direct connection between Ipswich City Square and Riverlink. The footbridge will quickly become an iconic attraction high over the Bremer River and bring thousands more pedestrians through the mall every day, providing a tremendous boost in the revitalisation of Ipswich City Centre. Thank you to all Councillors for working with me on creating a good business environment. The the long term success of our city is assured as we continue to develop strong partnerships between all levels of government, business and the community. We are continuing to work on the building blocks of an exciting future and the next chapter of the Ipswich success story. Regards,
Mayor Paul Pisasale Economic Development ContactsOffice of Economic Development Ipswich Mayor CEO of Ipswich City Council Chief Operating Officer Economic and Community Development Business Development Manager |
In this issue...
Ipswich centre stage with SpotlightIPSWICH'S newest shopping destination officially opened its doors yesterday (Thursday 12 March). Fabric, craft and home interior superstore chain Spotlight is finally open for business at the Home HQ site at West Ipswich and is one of the largest Spotlight stores in Australia. The Ipswich store joins more than 100 Spotlight stores in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, all established since the company first opened its doors in 1973 in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern. Spotlight and a Fantastic Furniture store are the anchor tenants in the 2.9 hectare Charter Hall Home HQ development. 
Shoppers rush to be the first at the new Spotlight Store at Home HQ West Ipswich. Mayor Paul Pisasale joins Spotlight Director Zac Fried and CEO Mark Goddard minutes after the doors were open to the public. Fantastic Furniture is one of Australia's fastest growing furniture retailers, providing a large range of sofas, dining, entertainment, bedroom, occasional, storage and home office furniture. Also included in the 13,000 square metres of retail space are Sleepy's and Elite Fitness. The $50 million bulky goods centre has parking for 257 cars. [ Back to Top ]
Tower Central on trackTHE $30 million Tower Central, currently under construction, will complement Ipswich City Council's planned CBD revitalisation program. Tower Central, a joint venture between Queensland developers De Martini Fletcher and Rohrig Properties., involves the redevelopment of the historic Ipswich Post Office building and adjoining land between Brisbane and Limestone streets.  Pictured overlooking the Tower Central project are Mayor Paul Pisasale and Rohrig Managing Director Glenn Rohrig. The office and retail centre will feature government offices, financial institutions, private enterprises, fashion retailers and food courts. A pedestrian link will operate between Brisbane and Limestone Streets with a full length arbour style awning to provide all weather protection. A new four storey office building is also being erected to face Limestone Street and includes a three level basement car park with 77 spaces. Among the tenants will be the Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW) who are currently located in the Hayden Centre owned by Ipswich City Council. The character of the Ipswich Post Office facing Brisbane St is being preserved and Australia Post will remain as a tenant occupying most of the first floor. The original Post Office building is significantly important from a cultural heritage perspective given it is one of only three surviving grand post offices built in Queensland at the time of Federation. The London Pharmacy building is part of the site and is also of cultural heritage significance forming part of the historic precinct of early buildings of Ipswich. It is one of only a few remaining buildings in the city connected to the iconic Ipswich firm of Cribb and Foote. [ Back to Top ] Education Centre near completionQUEENS Park in Ipswich is on track to become a total environmental experience with the completion of the Environmental Education Centre and kiosk in coming weeks. Construction on the building is expected to be completed by the end of this month and the building fully operational by the end of April. 
Pictured is an artist's impression of the soon-to-be-completed Environmental Education Centre in Queens Park. The $2.8 million project will provide a dedicated educational facility to inform the public about the flora and fauna of the region. The Environmental Education Centre was made possible by a 50% State Government funding input as part of the celebrations for Queensland's 150 year celebrations this year. Its importance in the history of Queens Park was recognised by Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, who turned the first sod to commence the project early last year and will do the duties to officially open the building as part of the Q150 celebrations. [ Back to Top ] Nature Centre magnet for familiesIPSWICH Nature Centre reached another milestone recently with 232,554 people visiting the tourist attraction in 2008, offering proof of Council's investment in the facility. The 200,000 mark was passed in early November leading up to the record and if visitor numbers in December are any indication, the centre is heading for an even better year in 2009. The introduction of Bilbies around Easter this year will create even more interest in the facility which is designed to teach people about the local flora and fauna of the Ipswich area. [ Back to Top ] |
World Class Data Centre for IpswichA NEW $220 million world class data centre in Ipswich was officially opened early last month marking the next exciting chapter of technical innovation in Ipswich. The Polaris Data Centre was conceived and developed by Springfield Land Corporation and Suncorp Metway. The centre, built in the rapidly expanding suburb of Springfield Central, is set to make Ipswich the 'digital city' of the future. Polaris hosts mission-critical data systems for government departments and international companies as well as supporting key infrastructure services such as hospitals, banks, email and the internet. The opening of the Polaris Data Centre is further evidence of the important role Ipswich can play in supporting a vibrant information technology (IT) industry. Polaris has once again placed Ipswich at the forefront of IT in Australia offering a world class service to business and industry. [ Back to Top ] New API Distribution Centre for IpswichAUSTRALIAN Pharmaceutical Industries (API) will move to the CITISWICH Industrial Estate in Bundamba later this year. 
A new 19,000m² facility will be built by Walker Corporation and, once operational, will employ 180 people and service 720 pharmacies in Queensland and some of northern NSW. The $32 million facility should be completed by November and the distribution centre in full operation by December. Founded in 1910, API owns the Priceline brand and is one of Australia's leading pharmaceutical distributors holding relationships with more than 4,000 independent pharmacies. API's services include wholesale product delivery, retail services, marketing programs and business advisory services. CITISWICH Industrial Estate is Walker Corporation's largest project currently underway, valued at over $1 billion. API will join The Reject Shop, Capral Aluminium, Hume Masterpanel and Australian Hardboards at the new estate. Pictured looking over the site for the new API facility at Citiswich are API CEO Stephen Roche and Mayor Paul Pisasale. [ Back to Top ] Reject Shop plugs in to CITISWITCHDISCOUNT variety retailer The Reject Shop Ltd announced last September it would build a new distribution centre in Ipswich. Construction of the company's second distribution centre was to commence in March 2009 with the facility expected to employ 150 people by the time it's operational in mid-2010. The centre will be built at the Citiswich industrial estate as part of a 10-year lease agreement with Walker Corporation. The 25,000sqm facility will accommodate the expansion of The Reject Shop chain which opened more than 21 new stores within the 12 months prior to the Ipswich announcement. The national retailer is also currently in talks with Ipswich City Council to become an anchor tenant in the new-look Ipswich City Mall. [ Back to Top ] Springfield Tower open for businessIPSWICH City Council has demonstrated its confidence in the future of Springfield by taking space at the Springfield Tower office development at Parkside. 
Mayor Paul Pisasale, Queensland Treasurer the Hon Andrew Fraser and Chairman of Springfield Land Corporation Maha Sinnathamby cut the ribbon marking the official opening of Springfield Tower. Ipswich City Council's Office of Economic Development has leased 250 square metres in the 10-storey $60 million development. Council joins existing major tenants including GHD Engineering, Landpartners, Strategic Directions, Australian Cleantech Marketplace, Insurserv, Quest Newspapers and engineering firm Cardno. Springfield Land Corporation will also base its headquarters at the Tower. Designed by Haysoms Architects and constructed by Hutchinsons Builders, Springfield Tower is a 4.5 green star building and comprises 9311 square metres of office space and underground parking. Springfield Tower is situated in the heart of Parkside within walking distance or a few minutes drive of the University of Southern Queensland Springfield, public and private schools, Orion Springfield Town Centre, 24 hectares of parklands and Brookwater Golf Course. [ Back to Top ] Springfield Central Parklands underwayTHE creation of Springfield Central Parklands this year will provide a picturesque link between shopping, sporting and education and business facilities in Springfield. 
The facilities are already being earmarked as one of the most significant open space projects since Ipswich was established in 1860. Council is working in partnership with the State Government and developers Springfield Land Corporation to establish the world class parklands for Springfield Central. The city's population is set to double in less than 20 years and it will be world class public recreation areas such as this which add value and liveability to Ipswich. The proposed new 24 hectare parklands will rank among the best in Australia and will become a park of regional significance. [ Back to Top ] |
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Websites Of Interest
Grants & Subsidies Funding Opportunities:These websites assist business and community to access government funding programs and associated guidelines:-
If you are aware of a funding program or funding website that we have not listed, please contact us at ipswichcity@ipswich.qld.gov.au [ Back to Top ] |
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IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL |
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Welcome to this special edition of the Ipswich Economic Update which marks one year since the last local government election. With fixed four year terms for local government, there are obvious milestones within each term when it is important to pause and reflect on the significant events of the past 12 months. It's also a time to look to the future and ensure we remain on track with growing our city based on key sustainability principles.