Ti Tree Bioenergy Funding
About the Ti Tree Bioenergy Payments
The Ti Tree Bioenergy facility was established in Willowbank in 2002. In 2010, as a condition of the development approval at that time, it was determined that Ipswich City Council would receive annual payments of $120,000 plus a charge per tonne of waste processed above a specific amount. These funds were legally required to be used by council on projects that delivered community and environmental benefit to offset any impacts from the facility. The operators of the waste facility have maintained their enthusiasm in helping or contributing to the local community using these funds. At the time, this was a unique arrangement in Queensland for a waste management facility working with a council.
Governance and Transparency
In 2020 there were significant changes to how Ti Tree Bioenergy payments were allocated and distributed. New Eligibility and Assessment Criteria were developed, focused on improved reporting processes and transparency. This included assessment criteria for proposed community project to provide a clear and rigorous process for approving projects and ensuring they provide the required community and environmental benefits.
Read the Eligibility and Assessment Criteria(PDF, 1005KB)
Proposing a project
There are two 'streams' for projects to be funded through the Ti Tree Bioenergy Payments:
- Ti Tree Bioenergy Funding - Community members can propose projects for council to deliver on council owned or managed land
- Ti Tree Community Fund - Community members can apply for funding for individuals or groups to deliver projects themselves (first round opening March 2026).
More information is on the Ti Tree Bioenergy Funding page on council's Shape Your Ipswich platform.
See more on Shape Your Ipswich
Financial Information
The below data outlines the project revenue and project delivery costs associated with Ti Tree Bioenergy funding. The data is updated annually, with the next scheduled update for end of 2025.
Please note: Ti Tree contributions were accrued during the governance review and 2017-2018 financial year while Ipswich City Council was under administration.
The graphs are interactive, so hover your mouse or click on data to see more information. You can also click the arrows < > at the bottom of the dashboard to explore the data in depth, or click the arrow in the bottom right corner of the dashboard to see data in full-screen mode.
Explore Projects
These projects have been made possible through the Ti Tree Bioenergy funding. They are selected based on criteria that demonstrate community and environmental outcomes including:
- improved flora and fauna habitat within the locality of the Ti Tree Bioenergy facility
- improved catchment health or water quality through waterway improvement or stabilisation
- offsets social impacts of the facility upon the local community of the facility or where it can be demonstrated by the wider community
- offsets environmental and amenity impacts of the facility.
View project map
Click on the interactive map to view completed, current and newly approved projects across Ipswich.
Each project listed is made possible through the Ti Tree Bioenergy funding.
Be sure to click the Legend in the left corner of the map to view a complete list of projects or to explore a specific project.
2024-2025 ongoing projects
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Paynes Road, Ebenezer Koala Reserve (long term project)
Establishing a community and Koala Nature Reserve and a future industry buffer
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- Mapping walking tracks and proposed amenity locations
- Installation of perimeter fencing
- Ecological assessment, weeding and assisted natural regeneration
- Existing track maintenance and new track identification and construction
- Masterplan
NB Queensland Government and Local officers have recorded Koala sightings in the reserve.
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Wetland and waterway restoration on Bremer River and Warrill Creek (long term project)
Waterway and wetlands rehabilitation in the Warrill/Bremer Catchments
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Weed works at:
- Karrabin-Rosewood Road Reserve, Thagoona
- Evans Road Reserve, Thagoona
- Banyula Road Reserve, Thagoona
- Pindari Drive Reserve, Thagoona
Planting within the Bremer River intertidal zone between David Trumpy Bridge and Bob Gamble Park, Ipswich.
Planting and weeding works at:
- George Hatchment Bush Reserve, Willowbank
- Mack Family Bush Reserve, Willowbank
- McGeary’s Road Reserve, Rosewood
- Armstrong Park, Rosewood
- Ivor Marsden Memorial Park, One Mile
- Unnamed Reserve, 2578 Cunningham Highway, Purga
- Five Mile Creek Park, Walloon
- Wilcox Park, One Mile
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Heit Family Park Upgrades
Install shade sail over the playground, replaced soft fall bark and install a perimeter anti-vehicle intervention
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- Installation of soft fall bark & anti-vehicle intervention bollards
- Installation of shade sail over the play equipment.
- Garden extension and tree planting
- Design of anti-vehicle pedestrian entries
- Maintenance and in-fill planting.
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Mount Forbes Rural Fire Service
Install all weather hardstand and bollards for all weather entry
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- Installation of hardstand with signage, line marking and bollards
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Fauna movement and signage
Install fixed wildlife signage in Willowbank
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- Installation of signage and road markings
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Mobile Koala Signage
Purchase two mobile koala signs for movement across Ipswich during koala breeding season.
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- Feasibility study suggested long term sign hire was the preferred option.
- Hire of 7 variable messaging signs to be displayed adjacent to wildlife corridors until May 2026.
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Coopers Road Project
New footpath between Willowbank Drive and Cunningham Highway
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- Concept design and detailed design
- Delivery of the project to be completed by late June 2027
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Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund
Investigation into the development of the Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund
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- Development and approval of Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund guideline
- Development of application forms and grant templates
- Launch of first round expected 1 March 2026
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2025-2026 approved projects
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Community Moves
Extension of the Active and Healthy program to include rural areas
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Weekly physical activity classes at Rosewood Memorial Hall, Ivor Marsden Park (Amberley), and Heit Family Park (Willowbank), and monthly outdoor recreation sessions at Stirling Road Reserve and Purga Nature Reserve. These programs will enhance the local community’s health, social connections, and engagement with Ipswich’s natural spaces. |
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Rosewood Football Club, Caledonian Park, Thagoona
Sustainable amenities project
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Develop a design to replace outdated long-drop toilets at Rosewood Football Club with a modern and sustainable amenities block.
This project has been recommended on the basis that other suitable alternative funding sources were unable to be identified.
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| Local Environmental Research Bursary |
Through the funds consider offering a local, Ipswich-based, student a bursary or scholarship to research a local Environmental or waste matter, the finding or outcomes of which can help improve management practices or processes locally.
Initial feasibility and investigation into the bursary are required to determine how it is to be managed and governed.
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| Ipswich Bushcare Program boost
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Engaging a contractor to perform tasks that Ipswich Bushcare Groups have struggled with—such as weed removal, brush cutting, slashing, planting, and supplying plants—ensuring their needs are met within reasonable limits. |
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Stone Quarry Cemetery
Master planning and signage
Hedges to separate denominational areas
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Enhancing the cemetery with signage for denominational areas, historical context, and notable individuals, and explore options for a memorial walk and columbarium wall—either through a master plan or as standalone improvements.
Introduce hedges to define denominational sections, improve amenity, and attract wildlife, with community support and careful planning to ensure suitable local plant species and successful establishment.
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Fire in Melaleuca irbyana (Ti-tree)
Research project
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A research project that aims to explore the effects of planned burning on land where critically endangered Melaleuca irbyana vegetation exists, addressing a major gap in fire management knowledge.
ICC aims improve conservation and fire strategies for this unique ecosystem that’s local to Willowbank and surrounds.
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Restoration of koala habitat
Targeted removal of invasive tree species at Eugene Street Reserve
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The Eugene Street Reserve project aims to restore native biodiversity by removing invasive trees threatening Koala habitat and rainforest ecosystems, with long-term stewardship led by a local ecologist and Bushcare group. |
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Stallard Park
Resurface basketball court for multipurpose sport
Installation of cricket wicket
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Resurface court to include multiple sports lines. Will also make the court more visually appealing to the community.
Installation of a cricket wicket to enhance the community use and safety at the park. Installation of synthetic will greatly improve the social and formal activation of the park.
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Artificial wetland development
Within the Ipswich Local Government Area
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Identification and development of artificial wetlands across the city with a focus of locations within 10km of Willowbank.
This includes the establishment of habitat to support key flora and fauna species. The project should also consider supporting of nature-based recreation opportunities. This is the long-term project.
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| Removal of non-organic waste from Ipswich waterways |
The Ipswich waterway clean-up project aims to remove waste from watercourses downstream of the Ti Tree Bioenergy Facility. This project will extend upon (but not duplicate) other committed waterway waste removal projects & programs. |
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Wildlife painted sign
Willowbank Drive, Willowbank
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Installation of additional green pavement at the southern end of Willowbank Drive, complementing existing signage installed on O’Neills Road in early 2025. This will make wildlife warnings more visible and reduce the risk of vehicle-wildlife collisions, particularly for kangaroos that reside in nearby bushland reserves. |