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August 2009
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Message from the Mayor
The TV images showed Ipswich as a progressive modern city which is respectful of its history and heritage. This city is also one of the fastest growing local government areas in Australia. Business investment in Ipswich is strong and we are witnessing one of the biggest investments in infrastructure in our history. All levels of government are working together so Ipswich can play its role in accommodating the population growth in south east Queensland.
Some $5 billion of work is either planned or underway in the western corridor. The recent opening of the $366 million State Government funded Centenary Highway Extension now links Springfield Central with Yamanto. Despite the shaky recovery on work markets, Ipswich is still defying the trends with major residential and job generating projects under construction. The city is well and truly open for business.
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 |
Ipswich on ShowChannel 9 TODAY Show weather presenter Steve Jacobs receives a special thank-you plaque from Mayor Paul Pisasale at the recent live broadcast event in Queens Park. In this issue...Social Enterprise Hub Launched
Ipswich has been chosen as one of five regional centres to be allocated a social enterprise hub aimed at identifying disadvantaged or isolated residents and helping them get back into the workforce. Officially launched last month by Social Ventures Australia manager Kevin Robbie, the initiative is designed to create employment for people with a disability or mental illness, migrants, refugees, disadvantaged youth and indigenous Australians. The Ipswich hub will focus primarily on the long-term unemployed with the help of $150,000 in Federal Government funding and $25,000 from Ipswich City Council.
It will provide training, financial planning, mentoring, management tools and funding to assist in the employment of marginalised people. Community organisations will also be provided with funding to support the training needs of their staff. Local organisations already on board include BoysTown Ipswich, Changing Landscapes, CityCare Technology, Tivoli Drive-In and Volunteering Ipswich. Mayor Paul Pisasale and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan were among the guests at the official launch of the Ipswich Social Enterprise Hub. Pictured with them are Sarai Tugga from BoysTown Ipswich and Fred Muys from Tivoli Drive-In. [ Back to Top ] Tidy Town Win a Third for Ipswich
Clean streets, parks and waterways have earned Ipswich the title of South East Queensland's Tidiest Town for the third time since 2004. Ipswich City Council's Youth Advisory Council also took top honours, receiving the Young Legends Award for the region. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic Tidy Towns awards which aim to encourage, motivate and celebrate the achievements of rural and regional communities across Australia. Originally focussed on litter reduction and civic pride, the awards now address the environmental, social and economic sustainability of communities. Each year, state and territory winners are announced between August and November. They then receive a visit from the Australian Tidy Towns Judge before the Australian Tidy Towns Awards are announced in April/May of the following year. Ipswich has been avidly supporting the Keep Australia Beautiful Council and the Tidy Towns Awards for many years and has consistently been a strong performer in the annual awards. Pictured is Cr Charlie Pisasale accepting the award for South East Queensland's Tidiest Town at the regional Tidy Town Awards last month. [ Back to Top ] |
Latest Motorway Upgrade to Create 6700 JobsFederal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport Maxine McKew visited the city recently to turn the first sod on the Dinmore to Goodna upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway. The $1.95 billion upgrade, due for completion in 2012, is currently the biggest road construction project in Australia and is expected to create 6700 jobs from designers to engineers. [ Back to Top ] Focus on Medical Training and Facilities at UQ Ipswich
The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus officially opened its medical course late last month, paving the way for the training of the city's future doctors. Described by Dean of Medicine Professor David Wilkinson as a “boutique medical education experience”, the course's innovation will come in the manner of course delivery, smaller class sizes and long-term clinical training based in the local community. Professor Wilkinson said research showed medical students who experienced clinical practice in rural or regional settings were more likely to remain working in those areas after graduation. Also announced last month was the securing of $2.5 million in Federal Government funding for a GP Super Clinic based at UQ Ipswich. Operating from three buildings at the campus, the clinic will be aimed at reducing the strain on Ipswich Hospital's emergency department. The clinic will also offer training opportunities to educate future health professionals. [ Back to Top ] Nominate Ipswich Businesses in New Awards ProgramIpswich residents and the business community are being urged to nominate and vote for outstanding local businesses as part of the Premier of Queensland's Smart Business Awards. The awards will look back on Queensland's 150 years and recognise businesses and entrepreneurs that have made a significant impact on the state. There are six categories which businesses can be nominated for, including one overall category:
Voting is open until 30 September via www.smartbusinessawards.qld.gov.au. [ Back to Top ] Businesses Supporting Sport
Ipswich City Council has developed a strategy aimed at increasing the number of sporting events held in Ipswich. Regional, state and national sporting events can deliver a powerful economic boost to communities in general, as well as to individual clubs and organisations through increased awareness and participation in their sport. As part of this strategy, a range of exciting opportunities exists for local businesses to get on board, including the establishment of official social hubs for competitors and spectators, naming rights and general brand/company promotion. For more information, or to indicate your company's interest in being a part of this initiative, please contact Jodie Welsh at Ipswich City Council on 3810 6666. [ Back to Top ] In Other NewsAnother accolade for Springfield and a surge in new business registrations are among the other news items this month. 
Hornets on ScheduleThe first of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets has rolled off the production line in the US, destined for RAAF Base Amberley. Set to replace the F-111s, the fighter planes are smaller, lighter and more agile than their well-known predecessors. Around 50 personnel from the No 1 Squadron are training at a US naval base in California in the lead-up to the anticipated March 2010 arrival of the Hornets at RAAF Base Amberley. New Business Regos SurgeLatest statistics from the Office of Fair Trading reveal the number of approved registrations for new businesses in Ipswich rose from 1707 in the 2007/08 financial year to 1944 in 2008/09. Ipswich Chamber of Commerce President Michael List said the organisation had enjoyed a 40 per cent increase in members over the last financial year, providing further proof of Ipswich's economic strength despite the world downturn. Accolade for SpringfieldGreater Springfield has been named Queensland's top master-planned community at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland Awards for Excellence. One of Queensland's most respected and valued programs, the UDIA awards have been developed specifically by and for the development industry to recognise excellence and innovation in one of the state's critical industry groups. Investors Flood Local Property MarketMore than 40 potential home buyers crammed into an Ipswich real estate agent office recently, eager to bid on several local properties up for auction. Ray White Ipswich Principal Warren Ramsey said the turnout showed how well the Ipswich market was performing at the moment, with a good proportion of auction attendees being keen investors from outside the city. Claypave Raises the BarThe overseas export success of Dinmore business Claypave is being used as a benchmark to encourage others to follow in its footsteps. Addressing Trade Queensland's Middle East and North Africa Export Network Forum in Brisbane last month, Trade Minister Stephen Robertson said Claypave was a perfect role model for businesses interested in tapping into the emerging export market. [ Back to Top ] Business ProfileApprenticeships Queensland
Apprenticeships Queensland Limited is a Group Training Company, providing employment opportunities for apprentices and trainees across a broad range of vocational areas. It achieves this through partnerships with host trainers in Ipswich and across south east Queensland. Over 2500 apprentices and trainees have moved through the company's doors to begin their careers in the areas of construction, engineering, hospitality, business, automotive and horticulture. Currently it employs around 300 apprentices and trainees and 15 administration and support staff. In February 2009, Apprenticeships Queensland was recognised by the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Ipswich Business of the Year. [ Back to Top ] New Business OpeningsWelcome to the following new businesses in Ipswich Ipswich and West Moreton PHaMsA new support facility for people with mental illness is one of a dozen aftercare centres in Australia recently funded by the Federal Government. Located in Lowry Street, North Ipswich, the Ipswich and West Moreton Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs) assists people with mental illness to get their day-to-day lives back on track. Clients can self-refer or be referred through a carer, doctor or case manager. The new centre is expected to help ease the load of Open Minds PHaMs, a similar service which opened in Ipswich early last year. Realway Real Estate BrassallRealway Real Estate opened its new office in Brassall last month. Conveniently located on Pine Mountain Road, the office houses four sales people, two administration officers and a property manager. Co-owner and Brassall resident Glenn Ball said he had a particular fondness for the Brassall area but the business also sold to all areas of Ipswich including Karalee, Pine Mountain and Sadliers Crossing. [ Back to Top ] Coming Events
Arts Foundation Fundraising DinnerThe Ipswich Arts Foundation will hold its annual fundraising dinner on Friday 4 September at 6.30pm. Celebrate 10 years of the Ipswich Art Gallery with a wonderful evening of exceptional cuisine and wine, fabulous entertainment by Katie Noonan and beautiful Australian art in the exclusive surroundings of the Ipswich Art Gallery. Individual tickets are priced at $150, while tables of ten are available for $1500. Places are limited. For bookings, telephone 3810 7223. Queensland First Aid Courses - SpringfieldQueensland First Aid is expanding its community courses into Springfield as of next month. Courses will be held on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm on the following dates: 5 September, 3 October, 14 November and 12 December. The venue is Springfield Lakes State School, 63 Springfield Lakes Boulevard. For more information and bookings, telephone 3281 9845. [ 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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IPSWICH was on show to the nation this month as the Channel 9 TODAY show was broadcast live from Queens Park on August 14. Special thanks go to Channel 9 for their tremendous support for our city and the western corridor with a three and half hour program showcasing Ipswich to a national audience.
