Draft plan provides blueprint for growth for western corridor suburbs
Published on 09 September 2026
A new draft plan to help guide how Ipswich’s growing western corridor develops over the next 20 years has been released for community feedback.
The Draft Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan builds on more than three decades of planning for the city’s western areas including the suburbs of Rosewood, Walloon and Thagoona.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the city’s Western Growth Corridor was one of three major growth fronts, alongside Ripley Valley and Greater Springfield, set to welcome thousands of new residents over the next two decades.
“The number of residents who call the Western Growth Corridor area home is forecast to grow from about 10,000 today to almost 59,000 by 2041,” Mayor Harding said.
“To make sure this growth is managed in a well-planned and sustainable way, council is developing a Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan.
“Last year, council invited locals to help shape the Draft Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan. We’re now bringing that draft back to the people of Rosewood, Walloon and Thagoona for their feedback.
“The plan is designed to spark ideas about how these communities can grow in a way that supports a strong, sustainable and liveable future for everyone.”
The Draft Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan is open for community feedback on council’s Shape Your Ipswich website until 19 October 2026, with residents able to complete a short survey to provide input.
There will also be in person Community Engagement Pop Up sessions, with details available on the Shape Your Ipswich website.
Highlights of the Draft Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan include:
- Delivery of a mix of affordable, diverse and sustainable housing options so people of all ages and backgrounds can find a home that suits their needs, now and into the future
- Identified priorities for road, stormwater, flood mitigation and community facilities with a focus on well-sequenced infrastructure to support the area’s growing population
- A catchment-wide approach to decision-making on flood mitigation and environmental protection, helping support resilient and liveable communities as the area grows
- Improved connectivity by guiding the delivery of road, public transport and active transport networks to give all residents more convenient choices for their daily commute
- Increased clarity for residents and businesses to ultimately attract more investment to the area and support the creation of more local jobs over time.
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said the draft plan looked at four core elements to help guide how the community could grow and function in the future.
“Consideration has been given to a range of factors including four core elements which are Movement and Connectivity, Greenspaces and Natural Environment, Diverse Living Options as well as Centres, Employment and Community Facilities,” Cr Madden said.
“By considering these elements, we’re aiming to create a vibrant, coordinated and sustainable future for these communities but to do that we need to properly understand what the community wants as well as the opportunities and challenges that it sees.”
Division 4 Councillor David Martin said community input was essential to the plan’s success.
“The State Government through its South East Queensland Regional Plan has earmarked these communities for growth, so it’s important we hear from the people who already call them home or those with an interest in the area such as business owners,” Cr Martin said.
“To accommodate the forecast growth, it’s vital we also see substantial investment from the State Government for key road network upgrades, for example to the roundabout at Haigslea-Amberley Road and Karrabin Rosewood Road near Walloon State School and the connection at Walloon to the Warrego Highway as well as the Amberley Interchange on the Cunningham Highway.
“This area has tremendous potential over the next 20 years and I’m pleased to see this work being done now to make sure that we harness that potential and manage it in a responsible manner.”
Community feedback will help inform the development of a final Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan, expected to be released in 2027.
Once finalised, the plan will eventually be considered for future integration into the Ipswich City Plan 2025. The Ipswich City Plan 2025 is the city’s planning scheme and guides development across the city but also allows for more detailed area plans to address important growth-management issues at a local level.
The Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan is being prepared with $500,000 secured by Ipswich City Council through stream one of the Federal Government’s Housing Support Program, which aims to help improve planning capability of state, territory and local governments.
For more information about the Draft Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan, visit Shapeyouripswich.com.au