INVESTMENT SECURED TO MODERNISE SPORT AND EVENT
A national-standard sport and entertainment precinct anchored around a boutique rectangular stadium will revolutionise access to sporting and entertainment content in Queensland’s sporting heartland. The North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct will be an economic and lifestyle asset for Ipswich’s future half a million residents and address an acute social infrastructure shortfall.
This development will increase Ipswich’s ability to host 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games events and could also feature as a training ground for athletes in 2032, delivering legacy benefits to the region for decades to come.
North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct Factsheet (PDF, 144.0 KB)
COMMITMENT SECURED
The Federal Government’s $20 million investment has been further supported with an additional $10 million secured from the State Government. The state’s investment was the final step needed to unlock $10 million of funding from Ipswich City Council. This $40 million investment will deliver the modernisation and upgrades to the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct in the form of a new western grandstand and field lighting.
COMMITMENT REQUIRED
Council continues to seek delivery funding for the next stages of the development to deliver a northern, eastern and southern seating area, upgrades to Len Johnson Oval and improved connectivity to the Ipswich Train Station and Ipswich Central.
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North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct Stage 1 – Western Grandstand concept design
About the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct
Why is this project important?
Benefits to Ipswich:
- Access to elite sport and entertainment experiences
- Improved inbound investment and event spend
- Vibrant and dynamic local economy
- Facilitates night-time economy
- Diversified employment opportunities.
Benefits to South East Queensland:
- Diversified venues for events
- Pathways for local event businesses
- Support economic productivity
- Provide venue for Olympic training
- Support sports-related tourism
- Leverage $300 million investment in Ipswich Central
- Support Ipswich as an Olympic host city.
If we do nothing:
- Continued economic leakage as events are accessed elsewhere
- Limited employment opportunities
- Low brand recognition and civic pride
- Continued lack of high quality community assets.
Success to date
Council delivered the Strategic Business Case for this project in 2019 with the support of the Queensland Government. In 2020, council funded the Options Analysis for this project which identified two long-term options for development, including a 12,000 capacity stadium and a 20,000 capacity stadium.
The Options Analysis as part of Stage 2 Business Case led to a $20 million investment from the Federal Government. This was supplemented with the State Government’s investment of $10 million, which was the final step needed to unlock $10 million of funding from council.
The $40 million investment by all three levels of government will deliver initial modernisation and upgrades to the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct in the form of a new western grandstand and field lighting.
What's next
This project has achieved the following milestones:
- North Ipswich Open Space Masterplan (2018)
- North Ipswich Stadium Feasibility and Project Definition Report (2019)
- Strategic Business Case/Stage 1 Business Case (2019)
- Options Analysis/Stage 2 Business Case (2020)
- Federal Government funding secured - $20 million (2022)
- State Government funding secured - $10 million (2024).
- Ipswich City Council contribution of $10 million confirmed (2024)
- Concept Design for the western grandstand and floodlights (2025).
Current steps:
- Procurement of construction contractor (2025).
Future milestones:
- Construction (2026)
- Operation (2027).
Ipswich City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people of the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we share. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, as the keepers of the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.