Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall set for major restoration work
Published on 03 July 2026
The iconic Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall is set for a $700,000 restoration that will ensure the hall stands steadfast for decades to come.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Ipswich City Council had been working closely with the Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch on major investigations to engineer and plan the restoration work, expected to start this year.
“Restoration work on the floor and walls at the Soldiers Memorial Hall in Ipswich will help save this century-old landmark, a building of considerable significance to our community,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council recently secured funding of $228,475 through the State Government’s Honouring Our Veterans Grants Program and this ensures all necessary repairs will be carried out as quickly as possible.”
Exploratory work started last year at the Nicholas Street building, which included CCTV camera investigation of drainage and additional survey work featuring ground-penetrating radar.
It revealed flooring had slumped, drains had clogged and cracked, there was rising damp in the floors and walls, and the footpath and hard surfaces around the building had defects.
“The major investigations showed that repairs would be a bigger project than initially anticipated and significantly more expensive,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council set aside $150,000 in its 2025-2026 Budget – of which $50,000 has been spent – and a further $650,000 has been allocated in the 2026-2027 Budget. The government grant will go towards the overall cost of repairs totalling approximately $700,000.
“All architectural and engineering plans have been finalised, and construction remains on target for a November start and an expected completion in March 2027.”
Mayor Harding said it was important for Ipswich to have its defence “heart and soul” open for all significant events in decades to come.
“Ipswich is a proud garrison city. And this building is one of the most iconic in all of Ipswich and means so much to our servicemen and women,” Mayor Harding said.
“From the Soldiers Memorial Hall, home to one of the most impressive stained-glass windows in Queensland, to the museum and grounds where people pay their respects, this is vital to so many.”
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said council had engaged an architect and heritage consultant to assist with design documentation.
“I’m pleased the Soldiers Memorial Hall will be protected for all residents to commemorate the sacrifices of those who served our country for years to come,” Cr Doyle said.
“While not every resident will step inside this building, it is the long-term home of the Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch, which provides absolutely vital support, advocacy and connection local veterans and their families.
“By preserving this important heritage asset, we also support the people and organisations that strengthen our community like the Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch.”
Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch President Paul Rogers said the Soldiers Memorial Hall was first opened by Governor Sir Mathew Nathan on 26 November 1921 and had been part of the city’s social fabric ever since.
“There are a lot of repairs necessary to see us through a second century and we thank all levels of government for their expertise and financial assistance to date,” Mr Rogers said.
“We are glad to hear construction won’t commence until after Remembrance Day (11 November 2026) and look forward to being open and available for ANZAC Day commemorations on 25 April 2027.”