Message from the Mayor
The list is extensive and includes the opening of the new Queens Park Environmental Education Centre and Kiosk, commencement of the Springfield Central Parklands, the turning of the first sod for API and Reject Shop distribution centres at the Citiswich estate in Bundamba, and the opening of the Centenary Highway extension linking Springfield and Yamanto. Add to this the impressive number of new homes built this year and it is easy to understand why Ipswich has avoided the worst of the GFC. While we are not out of the woods yet, Ipswich is well positioned to take advantage of the recovery in 2010. In March this year ownership of Ipswich City Square was transferred to Ipswich City Properties Pty Ltd (ICP) following the $45 million sale by the previous owners. ICP is wholly owned by Ipswich City Council. The 3.4 hectare site represents a significant parcel of land critical to the future success of Ipswich city centre. The rejuvenation of Ipswich Central will take a significant step forward next year. Expressions of interest for the redevelopment of Ipswich City Square shopping complex close next week (December 18, 2009). A number high-rise apartment and office towers along with major retail, restaurant and entertainment precincts have been floated as ideas for the redevelopment. Full details of the EOI are available for download at www.ipswichcentrestrategy.com.au In closing this final newsletter for the year, I want to wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas season. Please enjoy time with your family and to take extra care on the roads. A special thank you for your enthusiastic support for our city. It has been another year of tremendous growth in Ipswich. As I heard someone say recently – "It's all happening out here!" Mayor Paul PisasaleCity of Ipswich Economic Development ContactsOffice of Economic Development Ipswich Mayor CEO of Ipswich City Council Chief Operating Officer Economic and Community Development Business Development Manager Are you thinking of relocating your business or starting a new business?Contact us on (07) 3810 6938 or email us to see how we can assist you. |
In this issue...Commemorative GPS Mark UnveiledIpswich's early beginnings were celebrated this month with the installation of a commemorative GPS mark recognising the efforts of the man who first helped shape the city. The GPS mark in Limestone Park honours Henry Wade, who carried out the first survey for the Town of Ipswich, then known as Limestone, in 1843. The mark is part of the joint Q150 and Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute project to help celebrate 150 years of surveying and map making in Queensland. The brass GPS mark features its own unique number and is accompanied by a sign which details the story of Henry Wade as well as the latitude and longitude of the mark. People can take their GPS devices to the mark to ensure they are working accurately. [ Back to Top ] Water Park Funding Announced for Ipswich
The Federal funding will be matched by Ipswich City Council but the details of size, location and facilities are yet to be decided. [ Back to Top ] Heritage Maintained in East Street Development
Pictured outside the old RACQ headquarters are Cr Antoniolli and In Style Designer Homes Project Manager Terry Seirlis Ipswich City Council has given approval for a five-storey commercial development at the site of the old RACQ building at 82 East Street. The development will maintain the existing heritage building currently on site but it will be reoriented to face East Street. The developers, In Style Designer Homes, plans to use the old RACQ headquarters to house either a retail store or cafe. The building will remain an integral part of the new development of a five-storey commercial tower which will take up the rest of the block. [ Back to Top ] In Other News…The opening of new parklands at Springfield and the start of work on the city's new ambulance station are among the other news items this month. Springfield Parklands Set to Open
On Friday 18 December, the people of Ipswich will receive an early Christmas present with the official opening of Robelle Domain – the 24-hectare first stage of the $30 million Springfield Central Parklands. This new world class parkland located between Orion Town Centre, Education City and Springfield Tower is destined to become a major drawcard for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round. Sod Turned on New Ambulance StationWork has commenced on the construction of a new $4 million ambulance station at the corner of Thorn and Garden Streets. The facility will replace the current Ipswich and Raceview stations and help meet the demands of the city's rapidly increasing population. Expected to be completed by mid-2010, the much larger and more functional station will include housing for all vehicles, a modern kitchen and relief quarters for staff. It will house 26 additional paramedics. Reject Shop Ahead of ScheduleWalker Corporation is well ahead of schedule on the delivery of the new 26,000sqm distribution centre for The Reject Shop at CITISWICH, which will employ around 150 people and be operational from mid next year. The centre will be the cornerstone for the discount retailer's push into Queensland. Once the Ipswich facility opens, The Reject Shop plans to significantly expand its Queensland store network across the state from the existing footprint of 21 stores. The company expects to advertise for new jobs early next year. City Centre Markets Enjoy SuccessAround 100 stallholders enjoyed great success at the first instalment of the new markets event in Ipswich Central late last month. The markets will be run in the Mall and d'Arcy Doyle Place on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Organiser David Bostock will consider making them a weekly event if public demand is great enough. [ Back to Top ] |
New Employment/Training InitiativesA number of new employment and training programs have recently commenced in Ipswich. Worklinks Community Cafe - Raceview
The newly opened Worklinks Community Cafe at the Raceview Shopping Centre is part of a Federally funded project under the Australian Government Jobs Fund – Get Communities Working. Participants are given the opportunity to gain nationally recognised Statements of Attainment and/or Certificates and are also assisted in obtaining work experience. The cafes also act as a job search facility for participants – at no cost. Ipswich is now home to two Worklinks Cafes with one already established in Brassall. Each cafe is open to the public offering espresso coffee and light snacks for sale – dine in or takeaway. The cafes also incorporate an Ipswich Hospice Bookshop with a range of secondhand books for sale. Pictured at the official opening of the Raceview Worklinks Community Cafe are (from left) Cr Charlie Pisasale, Ipswich Hospice Care General Manager Ros Holloway, Member for Blair Shayne Neumann MP, Worklinks Participant Griffin Englander, Worklinks Cafe Trainer Kalie Gladwin and Worklinks CEO Janis Robinson. Skilling Solutions
Ipswich City Council has joined forces with Skilling Solutions Queensland to operate an outreach service for job seekers at the Ipswich Library every Tuesday. Through its free training and career information service, Skilling Solutions Queensland assists participants with current workplace experience to gain recognition of their skills towards a relevant formal qualification. The initiative also provides a career pathway planning service to assist those seeking a career change or who wish to undertake training, gain a promotion or re-enter the workforce. The Skilling Solutions Queensland service will be located every Tuesday on level one of the Ipswich City Council Library, corner of East and South Streets, Ipswich. Pictured at Ipswich Library with Mayor Paul Pisasale are Skilling Solutions Team Leader Amanda Sycz and jobseeker Wade Benson. Reed in PartnershipReed in Partnership, a "welfare to work" recruitment and training provider, has officially opened new offices in Ipswich and Goodna. Reed has been operating in Australia for the last four months and aims to assist local communities in reducing unemployment figures. The Ipswich office has already had more than 500 people sign up with over half being placed into further training to increase their skills and more than 200 placed directly into employment. [ Back to Top ] New Residential DevelopmentsNew residential developments have been announced for Leichhardt and Augustine Heights. Heritage Links
Pictured looking over the development plans are Sales and Marketing Manager Jason McDonald, Mayor Paul Pisasale and Cr Charlie Pisasale. A new $80 million residential development adjacent to the Ipswich Golf Club at Leichhardt will include 247 residential lots and 120 townhouses and cover 20 hectares. The Heritage Links Estate is being developed by Kilcor Property Group and is already attracting interest from people involved with the golf club and RAAF Base Amberley. Pictured looking over the development plans are Sales and Marketing Manager Jason McDonald, Mayor Paul Pisasale and Cr Charlie Pisasale. Pictured are Sales and Marketing Manager Jason McDonald, Mayor Paul Pisasale and Cr Charlie Pisasale. The SpringsWork is underway on "The Springs", a new $120 million residential estate at Augustine Heights. The Australand development will include more than 250 blocks with the first release featuring 15 house and land packages. It is also expected to create about 180 jobs on-site. [ Back to Top ] Award WinnersCongratulations to the following award-winners on their recent recognition. Mayor Paul PisasaleIpswich Mayor Paul Pisasale received the Queensland Local Hero Award for 2010 at a special ceremony at Customs House last month. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the award was in recognition of Mayor Pisasale's dedication to the people of his community. The national awards will be announced on January 25 in Canberra and will mark the 50th anniversary of the Australian of the Year Awards program. RealWay Ipswich Blitzes Awards
RealWay Ipswich scored well at the recent state-wide awards for the real estate group held in Brisbane. The Ipswich office won the RealWay Office of the Year Australia and took out awards in 17 major categories. Principal of RealWay Ipswich Lisa Downey said the office could not have achieved such a great result without the hard working and dedicated team. General Manager of RealWay Australia Greg Watson said that the Ipswich Office was a motivated and go ahead team. Mayor Paul Pisasale also attended the awards presentation as guest speaker. RealWay Ipswich recently expanded with a new office in Brassall. Pictured from left - Lisa Downey, Amanda Dawson and Sharon Anderson. Orion Springfield Town CentreOrion Springfield Town Centre received top honours for Excellence in Presentation at the 2009 Queensland Property Council of Australia Retail Property Awards. The category assessed centres on maintenance, cleaning, user comfort and presentation. Metro Hotel Ipswich InternationalMetro Hotel Ipswich International has been awarded Green Star Accreditation for its commitment to the environment. The Green Star hotel rating system was developed by AAA Tourism in partnership with Green Globe. Successful properties must meet strict guidelines in several key environmental criteria relating to rooms, facilities, grounds and office management. [ Back to Top ] Business ProfilesThis month, we profile Battery World, Foyster's and ACCES Services Inc. Battery World
Local business couple Howdie and Ruthie Farrar (pictured) have opened a Battery World store at 260 Brisbane St, West Ipswich, offering a one-stop-shop for all battery needs. The couple prides themselves on providing excellent customer service and giving expert advice to ensure your purchase is the correct one, first time – and in a comfortable, air-conditioned and relaxed atmosphere. The business stocks a wide range of battery and battery-related products from deep cycle, automotive, marine, motorcycle and recreational through to your everyday battery needs including mobile and cordless phones, watches and rechargeable batteries, as well as specialist industry needs. There is also an extensive range of power accessories including battery chargers, inverters, power supplies, 12v accessories, fridges and solar products. Battery World Ipswich operates a 24 Hour Emergency Service – 131760 – for roadside and home delivery and installation of automotive, farming, motorcycle and trucking batteries, backed with a nationwide warranty. The business also recycles all the products it sells, so if you have any batteries lying around the house or your business, bring them in or call for pick up of automotive batteries at no charge. Foyster's
Foyster's brings 21 years of international and domestic communications and event experience to Ipswich and south east Queensland – a dependable outsourcing solution that delivers structure and cost benefits for all your communications, corporate functions, events and internal marketing needs. Foyster's aims to empower its clients to manage their communication needs by offering streamlined positive change with the least amount of effort. The business can also recommend smart ways of communicating and information sharing for the greatest outcome. For more information, contact Amanda Foy on 0428 160 299 or visit the website at: www.foysters.com. ACCES Services Inc
ACCES Services Inc is a non-profit organisation servicing the employment needs of migrants and refugees. Its Ipswich office has moved to Level 1, 9 William Street, Goodna where employment coaches Davide and Pacifique are ready to assist jobseekers. A recent 'Employment Goals' event, funded by Ipswich City Council, allowed local residents and the multicultural community to network informally over soccer games. The Workforce Diversity Project is gearing up for a busy 2010 with several Western Corridor employers already engaged in programs aimed at improving awareness, recruitment and retention. For more information, telephone 3412 9955. Pictured are Acces Services Inc staff members (from left) Davide Rosario (Employment Coach), Frank Avio (IWD Project Coordinator), Pacifique Gakindi (Employment Coach) and Lauren Hunn (IWD Project assistant). [ Back to Top ] New Business OpeningsWelcome to the following new Ipswich businesses. LJ Hooker Yamanto
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale officially launched the latest LJ Hooker franchise in Queensland at Yamanto recently. Pictured with Cr Pisasale at the launch are the LJ Hooker mascot and Principal of the new office, Keith Edwards. This is a local family business serving local families. The establishment of a new LJ Hooker office is a direct result of the growth and expansion of Ipswich. Pictured with Cr Pisasale at the launch, are the LJ Hooker mascot and Principal of the new office, Keith Edwards. Conics
Leading development and infrastructure services consultancy, Conics, has officially opened an Ipswich office in the Top of Town precinct at 180 Brisbane Street. Conics employs more than 550 designers, town planners, surveyors, project managers, economists and environment and climate change specialists across 16 Australian offices. Created through the merger of PMM and C&B in 2005, Conics has been helping shape the development of Ipswich for around 20 years, having worked on many residential, commercial, industrial and retail developments in the city, along with infrastructure and public realm projects. These include Ripley Valley Masterplanning, RAAF Base Amberley redevelopment, Ipswich Motorway and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Pipeline. Pictured are Jim McKnoulty, Conics’ Chairman, Conics Ipswich office Manager Robin Anderson, Mayor Paul Pisasale (who officially opened the office) and Councillor Andrew Antoniolli. Darby's Fresh BakeDarby's Fresh Bake has opened an Ipswich store in Limestone Street near the entrance to Tower Central. Established in 1969, Darby's Fresh Bake began operation in Darby St, Newcastle under the name "Darby's Pie Bar" – a small store selling freshly baked pies. In 2001, it was re-launched as "Darby's Fresh Bake" with new ideas, logos and a fresh approach. State of the art equipment and production technology has allowed Darby's to become the driving force in a highly competitive fast food industry. iDanceA dance studio has moved into the Old Flour Mill. The iDance studio offers ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary and hip hop classes for ages three and up. Director Kyla Story also runs an iDance studio at Leichhardt. DisshA fabulous and funky ladies fashion store has opened at Ipswich Riverlink Shopping Centre. Dissh stocks labels such as Ladakh, Mink Pink, Bardot, one Teaspoon, Wish and Adorne. The store also stocks Blurr, a designer label created exclusively by and for Dissh. The store is located opposite Coles. Slater and Gordon
National law firm Slater and Gordon has officially opened an office in Ipswich Central. Founded in 1935, the firm originally catered for the needs of unions and union members. Locally based lawyer Kym Greinke (pictured with Mayor Paul Pisasale) will manage the Ipswich office, located at 100 Brisbane Street. GemutlichPopular kitchenware store Gemutlich has moved into the Ipswich Mall, officially opening its new and larger premises last month. Formally at the Top of Town, Gemutlich can now be found opposite the mall entry to the cinemas. [ 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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As the curtain comes down on 2009 it is important to reflect on a tremendous year of achievements in Ipswich. 
The Federal Government has pledged $3.4 million to help fund the construction of a public water park as part of the revitalisation of Ipswich's city centre. The riverside lagoon is aimed at bringing people back to the heart of city in the same way similar projects have succeeded in regional centres such as Townsville (pictured) and Cairns.