Businesses with an environmental focus are being urged to take advantage of a fantastic showcase opportunity as part of Smart Living 2009.

Seminars, a networking function and a three-day expo will come together to form the special event at the Ipswich Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August.

Smart Living 2009 aims to highlight the importance of the environment and provide tools and information to the business and community sectors on how to protect the environment in an innovative and sustainable way.

Businesses, government agencies, service providers and community groups which have a product, service or solution that helps protect the environment are encouraged to take part in the event which offers an excellent promotional opportunity.

Bookings for exhibitor stands close on Friday 10 July. For more information and an Exhibitor Pack, visit the Ipswich City Council website at www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/smartliving

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A community event featuring live entertainment, information displays and children's activities marked the official opening of the Centenary Highway Extension from Springfield to Yamanto late last month.

The $366 million project has been several years in the making, dating back to construction of the Springfield Interchange as part of early works in 2005.

The end result offers a vital road link to service the ever-growing population of the western corridor. It will be the primary transport corridor for southern Ipswich, the Ripley Valley, Springfield and the expanding Swanbank industrial area.

Pictured are Transport Minister and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan, Premier Anna Bligh and Mayor Paul Pisasale at the opening of the Centenary Highway Extension.

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A 24-hectare site at Redbank Plains is set to be transformed into a $500 million residential community offering affordable housing.

Devine's Mountview Estate on School Road (pictured) will create more than 1370 new homes. Stage one will feature 87 lots ranging from 380sqm to 554sqm, with block prices starting from $147,900 and home and land packages from $299,900.

Mountview is expected to create hundreds of jobs during the next eight years of construction.

A new 4000sq m shopping centre has also been proposed for the area which is likely to include a major supermarket, specialty shops, service station and tavern.

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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd inspected work on the Ipswich Motorway upgrade in May, following an announcement of a massive Federal Government funding boost for the project.

An allocation of $884 million under the 2009-2010 Federal Budget is expected to cover construction costs of Stage 2 of the Wacol to Darra upgrade and the Dinmore to Goodna upgrade, as well as preliminary design work on the Darra to Rocklea section of the motorway.

Preliminary work has begun on the Dinmore to Goodna section with construction expected to commence in coming weeks, to be completed by 2012.

Mr Rudd was also in the region to hold an Australian Jobs and Training Compact for Ipswich and Logan. As part of the event, he highlighted a $13 million Federal Government investment in the repair of more than 100 schools in the area, providing extra work for local tradesmen and apprentices.

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Silkstone mum Jane Fergusson has been named as the 2009 recipient of Ipswich City Council's City of Ipswich Scholarship.

The Bachelor of Health Services student at the University of Queensland Ipswich Campus achieved a grade point average of 6.75 out of seven for her first year of studies.

Ms Fergusson (pictured) was chosen not only for her academic achievement but also for her charity work. She volunteers for St Mary's and St Edmund's Colleges, the Leukaemia Foundation and the Australian Army Cadets.

The $5000 scholarship prize will go towards the purchase of a home computer.

The City of Ipswich Scholarship was established in 1999 to recognise academic excellence and assist a student studying an undergraduate program at UQ Ipswich.

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A proposed power station development north of Gatton is expected to create up to 200 jobs during the building phase.

Development company Westlink has unveiled its plans for the gas-fired plant which, if approved, would eventually generate enough electricity for 200,000 homes across the Ipswich and Lockyer Valley regions.

The developers told the media that the proposed station would generate 20 to 30 per cent less emissions than a coal-fired plant and would pump about $40 million into the local economy.

Westlink is currently co-ordinating an extensive community consultation process prior to submitting a planning application to Lockyer Valley Regional Council.

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Queens Park now offers a total environmental experience for residents, students and visitors with the opening of the Environmental Education Centre.

Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan (pictured with Mayor Paul Pisasale) officially opened the $2.8 million facility last month.

Jointly funded by Ipswich City Council and the State Government, the centre provides a dedicated educational facility to inform students and the general public about the flora and fauna of the region.

The Environmental Education Centre and kiosk are on the site of the park's original kiosk, built in 1923, the sandstone steps of which have been preserved, albeit under the new building.

The current kiosk, built in 1980, will soon be demolished to open up the view of the park and city from the new facility.

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A new Chamber President and a training salon for high school students are among the other news items this month.

New Chamber President Elected

Michael List will take over the reins of the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry when he replaces retiring president Martin Corkery as of this month. Born, raised and educated in Ipswich, Mr List (pictured) currently manages the Ipswich Business Banking Centre for Bendigo Bank. He said he was looking forward to continuing to provide opportunities for the Ipswich business community to increase its profile and success through participation in a range of chamber functions.

Successful Business Program Extended

The Ipswich City Council and Bremer Institute of TAFE's successful 'Retail Smart' program has been extended. Launched in 2007, the program aims to strengthen Ipswich Central businesses through assistance with promotion and training. Its one-hour monthly educational sessions have grown to attract more than 40 retailers. Plans are in place to expand the program to involve two-hour workshops every two months, covering a range of topics including business plans, customer service and managing business results.

Ipswich High Opens Training Salon

Ipswich State High School has opened a commercial hair and beauty training salon in a bid to offer students the chance to obtain trade qualifications while working towards their senior school certificate. Senior students can complete a Certificate II and III in hairdressing or beauty at the Ellenborough Street salon, under the supervision of qualified industry practitioners who are also teachers at the school. The self-funded salon was established with the help of $20,000 raised by the school's P&C Committee and support from other Ipswich salons.

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Welcome to the following new Ipswich businesses:

New Additions at Top of Town

Wyrd Sisters (pictured) was recently opened by owner operator and clairvoyant Jackie Pope in Top of Town's Old Flour Mill. Specialising in tarot readings, Jackie provides a range of services in a safe, private and comfortable setting. Basic, extended and combined tarot readings are available, as well as astrology readings and gatherings and parties. Jackie also offers workshops and courses for those interested in delving further into an understanding of the world of 'magick'.

Stick 'n' Giggle also recently opened in the Old Flour Mill to service the growing legion of scrapbooking devotees in Ipswich. Just 12 months after she launched her  scrapbooking business from home, owner Jody Urquhart decided to take the next step of opening a dedicated store. The business offers a wide range of scrapbooking materials and plans are in place for community classes.

Handmade Heaven is the third business to open recently at the Old Flour Mill, offering some of the finest handmade creations from around Ipswich, Brisbane and south east Queensland. Items include children's clothing and accessories, handbags, toys, jewellery, quilting, embroidery, woodwork, tasty treats and much more. Owner Leisa Gifford is one third of the team behind the popular Handmade Expo held regularly at the Ipswich Turf Club.

Pimp My Closet opened at 215 Brisbane Street, Top of Town, in late May. With walls adorned in colourful graffiti art, the store offers exclusive skater, lifestyle and motocross brands of streetwear currently untapped in the Ipswich market. Formerly operating in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, manager Joel Middleton saw Ipswich as an opportunity to bring this style of clothing and accessories into the region. The store carries a huge range of clothing, hats, bags, shoes, belts, wallets, keyrings, stickers, DVDs and CDs.

The Galley Kitchen and Homewares

After a successful five years' trading at Forest Lake, Cameron Douglas has opened a second kitchen and homewares store in Riverlink Shopping Centre. The Galley has products to suit all tastes and budgets, including an extensive range of pots, pans, bakeware, grinders and glassware. Mr Douglas also keeps an eye out for unusual kitchen gadgets with one of his best sellers being an apple slinky machine which peels, cores and slices. Opposite Loot in the eastern mall of Riverlink, the business is open seven days a week.

Ipswich Day & Night Pharmacist Advice

A new chemist opened its doors at 73 Brisbane Street, Ipswich on 20 May. Ipswich Day & Night Pharmacist Advice stocks a full range of chemist related products including vitamins, skincare, makeup, cold and flu medication as well as a prescription service.

Ipswich City Council's Judy Mille (second from left) and Glenda Burns (far right) were among those celebrating the official launch of Qld First Aid's RTO status.

Qld First Aid

As of Friday 29 May, Ipswich-based business Qld First Aid received its RTO (registered training organisation) status from the Department of Education and Training to deliver nationally recognised first aid courses. This means there is now a recognised first aid training provider based in Ipswich able to deliver nationally recognised courses, as well as issue the relevant certification immediately upon completion. Anyone interested in enrolling in the community courses held at the RSL North Ipswich twice a week should call 3281 9845. Businesses wishing to enrol their staff into group onsite training are also encouraged to phone Qld First Aid and discuss possible options.

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• Ipswich City Council - www.ipswich.qld.gov.au 
  Details of Council Services, News and Events, Business Information, Community Services, Histoy and Library Services. 
• Australian Local Government Association - www.alga.com.au
  Local Government Directory with links to all Councils with website addresses.
• Queensland Government Services - www.qld.gov.au
  Services provided by the Queensland Government.
• Queensland Government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation - www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au
  Starting a Small Business, Expanding an Existing Business, Investment opportunities in Queensland, Export and Trade assistance, Queensland Regulations.
• Queensland Business Information Centre - www.business.qld.gov.au
  One place for business information, licensing and assistance.
• Small Business Solutions - www.smallbusinesssolutions.qld.gov.au
• Commonwealth Government Services - www.australia.gov.au
  Access to Australian Commonwealth Government. Information such as Benefits & Payments, Communications & IT, Defence, Employment, Finance & Taxation, International Relations, Sport & Recreation, Tourism & Travel.
• Australian Bureau of Statistics - www.abs.gov.au 
  Statistics and Census Data online.
• Ipswich & Regional Area Consultative Committee - www.iracc.asn.au
  Link business, government and the community and provide assistance for access to Australian Government programs and services.
• Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry - www.ipswichchamber.org.au
• Business Enterprise Centre Ipswich Region - www.becir.com.au
• Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce - www.greaterspringfieldchamber.com.au

Grants & Subsidies Funding Opportunities:

These websites assist business and community to access government funding programs and associated guidelines:-

• Regional Development Program - Queensland Events Corporation - www.qldevents.com.au
• Gambling Community Benefit Fund - www.gcbf.qld.gov.au
• Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund - www.jccbf.org.au
• Show Societies Grant - www.lgp.qld.gov.au
• Department of Education and Training - www.education.qld.gov.au
• Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR) - Jobs Fund - www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/JobsFund.aspx
• Ausindustry - www.ausindustry.gov.au
• Festivals Australia - www.dcita.com.au
• Sport & Recreation Qld - www.sportrec.qld.gov.au

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

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