|
March 2009
|
|
Message from the Mayor
The $50 million Excel Development Group project will commence when tenancies are secured. The office tower will be registered as a green star building and is set to include bicycle parking and shower facilities for workers. The site is centrally located to shops and public transport and the residential component in particular is a key ingredient in re-energising our city centre. In fact, the entire project is further evidence of the vital role Ipswich will play in the sustainable growth of south east Queensland. I congratulate Peter Sherrie and his team at Excel on their significant investment in the city and their confidence in the future of Ipswich as a major regional centre.
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...
An artist's impression of the proposed East Street development by Excel Development Group. Enlarge (PDF, 754KB) Unemployment Figures SteadyThe latest unemployment figures for Ipswich show the rate as steady, despite the world economic downturn. The figure for the December Quarter 2008 sits at 4.2 percent, mid-way between the 4.3 recorded for the March Quarter 2008 and 4.1 recorded last September. Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said he remained confident the City of Ipswich could ride out the world economic crisis better than most, thanks to ongoing development, local business confidence and the support of the community. 
[ Back to Top ] Business Achievers Recognised
The winners were as follows:
Congratulations to all winners and finalists in each category. [ Back to Top ] |
Young Mum Awarded ScholarshipA University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield full-time student and mother of two has been announced as the recipient of the 2009 City of Ipswich Scholarship.
She previously worked for Defence Housing and as a property consultant co-ordinator but now revels in the daily juggling of full-time study and raising her two young children. A joint initiative of Ipswich City Council and USQ Springfield, the City of Ipswich Scholarship recognises academic excellence and aims to assist a meritorious student to study an undergraduate program. In announcing the 2009 recipient, Mayor Paul Pisasale said Jessica was chosen not only for her excellent academic record in her first year of study but also for her strong community involvement. Jessica (pictured) will use the scholarship funds to pay for tuition fees and text books. [ Back to Top ] BECIR Welcomes Manager
Tony (pictured) brings with him a wealth of experience in business development. Having worked around the world, he has a solid background in establishing business enterprise centres, as well as developing and implementing training and mentoring programs. Tony has also worked with a wide range of councils, industry groups and committees and received an award for facilitating a sustainable employment program in Ireland. In his new role with BECIR, Tony will manage the services the centre offers to small business in the Ipswich region including business and planning advice, mentoring, loans and banking information, simple marketing plans, legal and accounting support, government regulation compliance advice, staff training, women in business and national referrals. [ Back to Top ] International Students a Boost for Springfield
While the campus had just 10 international students last year, that figure is expected to jump to as high as 60 in 2009. Thirty international students were enrolled for Semester One as of last month with more than 90 further applications from across the world being processed. The students are predicted to collectively inject around a million dollars into the local economy during their stay. The international enrolment figures follow news that USQ was placed first in Queensland in a new survey on student satisfaction. The university was placed fourth in Australia in the national survey which polled 5000 students from 30 universities across the country. [ Back to Top ] Aspire Celebrates First Birthday
Business Development Manager Paul Geddes announced that the birthday celebrations included special room rates for Ipswich residents until the end of April. The complex features fully self-contained studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and luxury two-level, two-bedroom penthouses. The capacity of the $65 million residential complex in the heart of Ipswich is sitting just under 80 per cent. [ Back to Top ] Social Enterprise Event Proves Successful
A partnership between Ipswich City Council, the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations and Social Ventures Australia, the Ipswich Social Enterprise Hub is part of a network of hubs in southeast Queensland. The March "Meeting Place" event featured Scotland's Sheila Durie. In front of a diverse audience from government, community organisations and social enterprises, Sheila shared her experiences on the importance of engaging with stakeholders, the importance of government support - both policy and procurement, and the critical need to focus on the business side of social enterprises. The next "Meeting Place" event will be held on Thursday 2 April in Logan. More information is available in the Coming Events section below. Pictured are participants interacting during the meeting place session conducted by Sheila Durie at Ipswich. [ Back to Top ] In Other News…Ipswich's new presence in Beijing and the launch of a residential estate are among the other news items this month. Council to Establish Presence in BeijingIpswich City Council has been offered a presence in a Beijing office for an outlay of just $2000 a year. The staffed office in China's capital city will promote investment opportunities in Ipswich by acting as a liaison point for Beijing business people and through the distribution of information. Ipswich's international ambassador Bill Chen is helping to set up the office agreement. ALDI to Open Goodna StoreDiscount supermarket chain ALDI has announced it will open a new store in Mill Street, Goodna. The company has six stores in the Ipswich region with the Goodna store expected to be opened next year. Although a construction date has not been set, the development application has been approved and construction is anticipated to commence later this year. The new store will employ between 16 and 20 people. Northside Residential Estate LaunchedA new residential estate in North Ipswich was officially launched last month. The Tree Haven estate at Chalmers Place is targeting families, first-home buyers and investors with land prices starting at $155,000. [ Back to Top ] Local Business Profiles
OZ Bin CleaningOZ Bin Cleaning provides bin cleaning services for all sizes of bins from the humble wheelie to the largest industrial or compactor. In consultation with clients, the business offers high pressure cleaning, vacuum removal of excess water and deodorising of bins on a "one off" basis or as part of a cost-effective regular service. OZ Bin Cleaning - Ipswich is locally owned and has been successfully operated by Rod and Caryl Jensen throughout the Ipswich and greater Brisbane area for the last two years. The business complies with and, in most cases, exceeds EPA and local council guidelines and regulations covering the industry. It was a finalist in the Customer Service Category at the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry Awards 2008 and the winner of the Environmental and Sustainability at the Redlands Business Achievement Awards, 2008. For more information, call Caryl on 0438 199 203. Health for IndustryHealth for Industry is Australia's leading provider of workplace health and medical services. It provides acute injury treatment and health services to businesses in the Ipswich area and Australia-wide. The Ipswich clinic can conduct pre-employment medicals, exit medicals, health surveillance (including hearing, lung function and blood testing), drug screening, health promotion services and Acute Injury Management. All injuries are seen without an appointment - simply contact the clinic and notify them of the injury before bringing the injured worker in for treatment. Workcover rates apply. Staff are equipped to treat a range of workplace injuries including suture lacerations, removal of foreign bodies from eyes, fractures, spike injuries, crush injuries, head injuries (contusions), muscle strains, insect bites, skin reactions, burns and skin conditions. Vaccinations can also be provided for influenza, Hepatitis A & B, tetanus and Q-fever. For more information, contact Sally Howe on 07 3307 9459 or Ann Jackson on 07 3307 9476. [ Back to Top ] New Business OpeningsWelcome to the following new businesses in Ipswich… 
SpotlightHundreds of people turned out for the official opening of Ipswich's Spotlight store earlier this month. Located in the Home HQ complex on Brisbane Street, West Ipswich, the store sells furnishings, home décor, manchester, craft supplies and party goods. The 3200sqm outlet is the fifth largest of 16 Queensland stores and employs 45 people. Pictured at the official opening are Spotlight CEO Mark Goddard, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and Spotlight Director Zac Fried. Springfield TowerThe $60 million Springfield Tower was officially opened on 4 March by Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser. Cardno, Suncorp, GHD Engineering and NEC are among the high profile companies that have moved into the 10-storey tower on Sinnathamby Boulevard. Designed by Haysom Architects and built by Hutchinson Builders, Springfield Tower is 4-star green rated. Westrad Medical Imaging CentreWestrad Medical Imaging Centre welcomed its first patients last month. Developed by Dr Hashaylaya Naidoo and Dr Kirtikumar Naik, the centre houses a range of high-tech equipment including a $1.5 million MRI machine and a 64 slice CT able to provide rapid imaging of the entire body. Located in the Clive Peeters building in Limestone Street, Westrad employs 15 staff including radiologists, imaging technicians and reception staff. State Government Regional OfficesMain Roads opened its new district office in the Westway Centre earlier this month. This follows the opening last month of the regional office of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation in Brisbane Street. The office openings are part of the State Government's regionalisation of its department providing improved access and resources for local councils and communities. [ Back to Top ] Coming EventsSocial Enterprise WorkshopSocial Ventures Australia (SVA) Social Enterprise Manager, Kevin Robbie, will run a one-day workshop on Thursday 2 April entitled "Developing a Social Enterprise". The event is being co-ordinated by Social Enterprise Hubs Australia and will be held at the Logan City Council Administration Building, 150 Wembley Road, Logan Central. With in-depth knowledge and experience, Kevin will cover topics including key building blocks to developing a social enterprise, idea generation, balancing commercial and social aims and developing a business plan. The workshop will be held from 9.30am to 4.00pm. Cost is free but numbers are limited. For more information, email info@socialenterprisehubs.org. BECIR Workshops/SeminarsThe Business Enterprise Centre Ipswich Region (BECIR) is hosting a number of small business workshops in coming months, covering a wide range of topics. On Monday 6 April, the topic will be "Planning for Sales Success", a detailed workshop regarding a structured sales planning process. On Monday 20 April, the "Sell! Sell! Sell!" workshop will help participants gain the skills needed to effectively and profitably sell products and services. Both half-day workshops will begin at 8.00am and cost $33 per person per workshop. To register or to find out more information on upcoming events, telephone 3282 7999 or email admin@becir.com.au. Health for Industry Breakfast SeminarManaging workplace injuries will be the topic of discussion at a Health for Industry breakfast seminar on Friday 24 April. National Director Occupational Health, Dr Keith Adam, will speak on managing workplace injuries and assisting the employer to limit the potential for lost time injuries which lead to higher insurance premiums. The seminar is free and will be held at the Ipswich Club from 8.00am. RSVPs are required by Friday 17 April and can be made by telephoning Lourline Wehrenberg on 3307 9411 or emailing lourline.wehrenberg@hfi.com.au. [ Back to Top ] |
|
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 ] |
|
|
IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL |
|
More exciting news for Ipswich Central this month with the announcement of a new seven-storey office tower in East Street (see artist's impression opposite). As part of the redevelopment of the former Super Cheap Auto site, the project also includes an 11-storey tower of residential apartments in Wharf Street.
The achievements of local businesses and business people were recognised earlier this month when the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its annual awards night gala at Woodlands of Marburg.
Jessica Dominko, 32, secured the $5000 scholarship prize after achieving a grade point average of 6.86 out of a possible 7. The second-year Bachelor of Education student said she had always wanted to teach but it had taken time to realise her dream.
Tony Axford has been appointed as Manager of the Business Enterprise Centre Ipswich Region (BECIR).
The University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) Springfield campus is set to play a major role in the boosting of the local economy this year with predictions of a 500 per cent increase in international student numbers.
Oaks Aspire celebrated its first birthday in February but the party favours will continue into next month.
The first "Meeting Place" event of the Ipswich Social Enterprise Hub proved to be a great success earlier this month.
This month we profile a bin cleaning business and an organisation aimed at providing workplace health and medical services.