Council to progress remediation of Bill Paterson Oval

Published on 01 September 2026

Ipswich’s home of athletics – Bill Paterson Oval at Limestone Park – is set for an upgrade to restore its grass running track to an appropriate standard.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said in recent years the track had fallen below the standards needed by users who include members of Ipswich and District Athletic Club and Ipswich Little Athletics Centre.

“Bill Paterson Oval has been the home of Ipswich athletics for decades, but its location on a former landfill site has resulted in ongoing ground movement and drainage issues leading to uneven surfaces,” Mayor Harding said.

“Council, together with the oval users, has been managing these issues for some time, however they came to the fore again most recently during council investigations and community discussions about potential locations for a synthetic athletics track in Ipswich.

“Last year, Councillor Marnie Doyle moved a Notice of Motion to secure council funding to undertake a geotechnical survey. It found Bill Paterson Oval would not be suitable for a synthetic athletics track as significant and costly remediation would be necessary to ensure a stable, long-term foundation.

“The geotechnical survey did however provide a pathway for Bill Paterson Oval to be restored as a grass running and athletics track for the many clubs and schools that depend on this facility.”

A report detailing costings and scope of works to improve Bill Paterson Oval to grass athletics track standards will be prepared for consideration at the 29 October 2026 Council Ordinary Meeting.

“I’m delighted we are moving forward with remediation of Bill Paterson Oval,” Mayor Harding said.

“Generations of young athletics have trained and competed at Bill Paterson Oval and we want to see it continue to play a key role in our city’s sporting landscape well into the future.”

Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle, who has previously advocated for improvements to Bill Paterson Oval, welcomed the progress.

“My advocacy has been focussed on two important and complementary priorities,” Cr Doyle said

“The first was to address the immediate condition of Bill Paterson Oval and the second was to secure a dedicated synthetic athletics track in Ipswich Central.

“Council recently considered the site for a future synthetic athletics track but found owing to its condition it would currently not be suitable.

“I am very pleased the necessary geotechnical investigations into the site have now been completed to allow the organisation to progress with planning and delivery of remediation work to the grass track.”

As part of the preparation of the report to come to council in October, council officers will consult with users of Bill Paterson Oval.

Council will also continue planning for a synthetic athletics track at a council-owned facility to support Ipswich athletes who currently face a minimum 40-minute drive to the closest synthetic athletics track in Brisbane.