Ipswich children like ducks to water at Youth Sustainability Summit
Published on 07 May 2026
About 160 Ipswich school students have gathered to share knowledge on how to support the health of local waterways at the 2026 Youth Sustainability Summit.
Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 explored various elements of the city’s catchments, with a focus on how they can help to drive sustainability efforts, in workshops held in Nicholas Street Precinct on Wednesday.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said this year’s theme of the summit focusing on healthy natural waterways is acknowledgment of the important role these play in the sustainable future of the city.
“It’s vital for Ipswich children to be at the forefront of sustainability conversation – and the Youth Sustainability Summit is fantastic way to nurture our emerging generations to be leaders in this space as our city grows,” Mayor Harding said.
“I was blown away by the students’ enthusiasm as they participated in workshops on local waterways.
“As a city built on the Bremer and Brisbane rivers, healthy waterways have been key to supporting our iconic native flora and fauna and are important to our way of life.
“Ipswich has 11,000km of natural waterways and council is committed to joining the community in ensuring these natural areas are healthy, through initiatives such as native fish restocking, restoration of riverbank habitat areas and removal of rubbish and debris.
“The Youth Sustainability Summit has given our children a voice in the discussion about ways we can create long-term positive impacts on the health and resilience of Ipswich's natural waterways.
“This event is one of the many ways council is ensuring our city’s future is in safe hands, along with initiatives including the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council and Ipswich Film Festival for Youth.”
Ipswich City Council partnered with environmental education organisation EcoMarines Foundation to deliver the 2026 Youth Sustainability Summit.
Students from Deebing Heights State School, Raceview State School, Redbank Plains State School, Goodna State School, Westside Christian College, Sacred Heart School, Ipswich Central State School, Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School, Ipswich Junior Grammar School and Ipswich West State School participated in the summit.
Ipswich West State School Year 6 Student and school captain James Wilkie said he was excited to learn more about how to care for Ipswich’s waterways.
“I want to learn more about how water runs through our system, so we can help wildlife,” James said.
“If we litter and don’t take care of our waterways, the wildlife will die.
“It is also important to learn about waterways because if we have floods, then some of our things, like our cars and other things will get flooded.”