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July 2009
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Message from the Mayor
I also had the opportunity to take Mayor Sutherland and several Moreton Bay councillors on a tour of our Safe City control room. With the recent expansion to 185 cameras, the Safe City program is truly something to be proud of. It is now recognised as one of the most sophisticated public safety surveillance programs in the world. One of the most exciting recent announcements in terms of Ipswich’s future growth was the State Government’s formal lodgement of a development application for the proposed Aerospace and Defence Support Centre at Amberley. When approved, the application will clear the way for a defence and aerospace hub to be developed on 183 hectares of land adjoining the RAAF Base, creating up to 3000 jobs. This has the potential to become a major economic boost for the Ipswich region and further cement our place as a lead player in the future sustainable growth of the western corridor.
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...Smart Living 2009 Kicks Off this Friday
Seminars, a networking function, a three-day expo and a host of family activities will come together to form Smart Living 2009 at the Ipswich Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August. Aimed at the business sector, schools and the community at large, Smart Living 2009 will highlight the importance of the environment and provide tools and information on how to protect it in an innovative and sustainable way. A wide range of businesses, government agencies, service providers and community groups are taking part in the event, promoting an impressive variety of products, services and solutions to help protect the environment at home and at work. 
Friday’s activities will be in the form of an “Open for Business” day and feature a seminar led by guest speaker Michael Lutomski, Risk Manager of the NASA International Space Station Program, as well as an evening cocktail function with entertainment by Lee Kernaghan. General public days will be held on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August from 10am to 4pm. Tickets, priced at $5 per person or $10 for a family of up to four, will be available at the gate. Family activities on offer over the weekend include photos with the Ipswich Nature Centre Bilbies, Life. Be In It games, reverse garbage eco art workshops, an animal nursery and jumping castle. Ipswich City Council will also donate free native plants to the first 1000 ticket holders through the gate each day. For more information, visit the council website at www.ipswich.qld.gov.au. [ Back to Top ] Taiwanese Visit Strengthens Friendship
A delegation from the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Oceania made a visit to Ipswich this month, strengthening an important international friendship between the city and its Asia-Pacific neighbour. The group travelled from Brisbane, where delegates were taking part in a leadership forum, to enjoy some of Ipswich’s tourist attractions including a ride on the Swanbank Steam Train (pictured). The group was greeted by Mayor Paul Pisasale at the Ipswich Art Gallery and also toured Queens Park, the Ipswich Nature Centre and The Workshops Rail Museum. The visit follows a Mayoral luncheon held in Ipswich recently to officially welcome the new Director-General Wen-Cheng Sung and Deputy Director-General Ted Liao to their posts in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane. The luncheon was attended by members of Queensland’s Taiwanese community and Ipswich’s Ambassadors to Taiwan. [ Back to Top ] |
Israeli Ambassador Invites Economic Partnerships
Israel’s Ambassador to Australia, Yuval Rotem, visited Ipswich earlier this month and was honoured with a Mayoral reception at the Ipswich Art Gallery. In his address to the assembled guests, Mr Rotem (pictured) spoke of his recent trip to Israel with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The visit’s context was to launch the Australia Israel Leadership Forum in Jerusalem and discuss the development of cultural and business ties between the two countries. Mr Rotem said Israel had managed to develop unique relationships with New South Wales and Victoria and he was keen for the same to be achieved with Queensland. He invited Queenslanders to explore economic opportunities with Israel in a range of fields including water technology, energy conservation and the advancement of agriculture. [ Back to Top ] Flight Simulator a First for RAAF Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley’s No 36 Squadron can now lay claim to being the only C-17A operator outside the United States to have its own flight simulator. The C-17 Aircrew Training System (ATS) recently arrived at Amberley packed inside 56 crates aboard two C-17As. The new equipment will be used to train RAAF pilots and loadmasters when it becomes operational next January as part of the newly constructed C-17A training facility. The ATS allows flight crews to complete their training requirements in a highly realistic, simulated environment. It includes a Weapons System Trainer, Loadmaster Station, learning centre and support systems. Currently, Australian aircrews are required to travel to the US for their basic C-17A training as well as some currency tests. [ Back to Top ] New Committee Chair for Top of Town
Gallery Newtown’s Matthew Cobbin has been elected as the new chair of the Top of Town Working Committee to steer the future direction of the burgeoning shopping precinct. Mr Cobbin replaces inaugural chairperson Lisa Jarrold who helped form the committee 12 months ago as part of her role as Ipswich Central business manager. His executive team includes Naomi George and Michael Melling from Province, Liesa Gifford from Handmade Heaven and Gary Donovan from Totally Spoked. The committee meets on a monthly basis. [ Back to Top ] In Other NewsNew tenants at Riverlink Shopping Centre and the appointment of a Local Employment Co-ordinator are among the other news items this month. 
Riverlink Set to Welcome New TenantsRiverlink Shopping Centre will welcome several new tenants in coming months, including a two-level medical centre currently under construction behind Kmart Tyre and Auto. The centre is due for completion in December. Weis Backdoor Gourmet Take Out and Amart All Sports will open stores in the shopping centre next month. BoysTown Moves into Ipswich MallA new support service has moved into Ipswich Mall in a bid to assist the city’s growing number of unemployed and disadvantaged youth. Federal Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib officially opened the BoysTown Job Services Australia centre late last month. The service will support young people in gaining work experience, job training as well as improved literacy and numeracy. Brookwater Golf Club Best in StateBrookwater Golf Club has been ranked the best residential course in the state and the fourth best in Australia. The recently released Golf Australia rankings are based on course design, course conditioning and the ‘wow factor’ of the development. Local Employment Co-ordinator AppointedFederal Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib recently announced Samantha Wilson as the Local Employment Co-ordinator appointed to support the Ipswich-Logan region to help drive local responses to unemployment. Local Employment Co-ordinators have been appointed in seven regions across Australia that have been identified as vulnerable to the effects of the global recession. They will work closely with local councils, businesses, chambers of commerce, unions and community organisations to maximise employment and training opportunities for redundant workers. Trade Secret to Open at Home HQPlans are in place for a Trade Secret store to open prior to Christmas at Home HQ in West Ipswich. Designs are currently being prepared for the store which will include the chain’s signature stock of discounted brand name clothing and homewares as well as a new range of jewellery and women’s accessories. Up to 50 full-time, part-time and casual positions are expected to be created. [ Back to Top ] Business ProfileThis month we look at two local employment related businesses. Worklinks - Making a Difference in Ipswich
As a Local Community Partnership (LCP) Worklinks operates under the Careers Advice Australia initiative. Worklinks is a not-for-profit community organisation that works closely with schools and industry within the Ipswich region to bridge the gap between school and the world of work. This is achieved through a variety of programs and initiatives that help students and parents explore career pathways, gain meaningful professional connections and learn valuable job skills. Worklinks also encourages industry to take an active role in shaping the future workforce of the Ipswich region, by getting involved in young people’s career development and training. Worklinks recently partnered with Queensland Health to give senior students attending Ipswich schools the opportunity to participate in an Ipswich Health Career Tour (pictured). Acces Services - People Helping People
The Ipswich Workforce Diversity (IWD) Project is an Acces Services Inc pilot initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the culturally diverse workforce in the Ipswich/western corridor. As part of the project, Acces Services is working directly with employers in the region to improve the recruitment and retention rates of local migrants and refugees. At the project launch, Ivan Henjak shared his journey from migrant to Broncos Coach and said people from culturally diverse backgrounds could achieve great success if given the opportunity to work. Information and networking sessions have been well attended by local businesses from a range of industries. The project provides a free resource and is anticipated to open up opportunities for funded projects and partnerships directed at improving workforce diversity. [ Back to Top ] New Business OpeningsWelcome to the following new Ipswich businesses. 
Motorcycling QueenslandMotorcycling Queensland officially opened its new Ipswich office on 15 June to coincide with Ride to Work Day. The Gordon Street business held a barbecue breakfast for bike and scooter riders as part of the celebrations. Motorcycling Queensland professionally manages and develops the business of motorcycle sport and recreation throughout the state. Its responsibilities include issuing licences to riders, competitors and volunteers; issuing permits to clubs and promoters to conduct events; and affiliation and insurance cover for clubs and participants. Pictured is Motorcycling Queensland General Manager Lindsay Granger with Mayor Paul Pisasale at the official opening of the new Ipswich office. Casual CoffeeOne of the latest additions to Home HQ at West Ipswich is a locally owned and operated coffee shop. Casual Coffee, located next to Spotlight, was opened in May by husband and wife team Glenn and Margaret Howard. The menu includes cakes and éclairs, quiches, gourmet sandwiches and hot pastries. The Howards plan to continue to expand the business in coming months as further shops are added to the retail centre. Von’s Gorgeous GownsBarellan Point resident Yvonne Harris has used her passion for fashion and talent for dressmaking to create a home-based business. Von’s Gorgeous Gowns stocks a range of formal, semi-formal, bridesmaid, evening and cocktail gowns as well as jewellery and handbags. With extensive experience in creating dance costumes and bridesmaid dresses, Yvonne says she offers a level of personal service not experienced in regular stores and her repeat customers are testimony to her success. [ Back to Top ] Coming Events
Chamber BreakfastBack by popular demand, MiniMovers’ Mike O’Hagon (pictured) will be guest speaker at the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry breakfast on Thursday 27 August. Mike’s business career began with buying and selling goods as a second-hand dealer. Six years later he launched a short distance removal business which evolved into MiniMovers. That company is today a market leader with an annual turnover exceeding $30 million. The breakfast function will be held from 6.45am to 8.45am at the Ipswich Turf Club. Cost is $40 for members and $55 for non-members. RSVPs are required by 20 August and can be made via telephone on 3282 8688 or email eo@ipswichchamber.org.au. BEC Small Business WorkshopsThe BEC Ipswich Region Inc is holding a variety of small business best practice workshops in coming months. Topics include budget setting, marketing, setting up a home-based business and occupational health and safety. For full details, download the registration form Small Business Best Practice Workshop [ 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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It was great to welcome Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland at last week’s luncheon event of the Ipswich Branch of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA). Ipswich and Moreton Bay are two of the fastest growing regions in south east Queensland and we have much to learn from one another and much to gain from a solid partnership. It was fantastic to see such a large turn-out for the UDIA event at the Ipswich Turf Club which gave Mayor Sutherland and myself a chance to come together and share our vision for the future of these two great regions.