Limited data, lack of transport and short timeframes key concerns for Shaping SEQ Update
16 October 2023
Limited or missing data, compressed engagement timeframes and a significant shortfall in proposed infrastructure are the leading concerns outlined in an Ipswich City Council submission to the Queensland Government’s draft Shaping SEQ 2023 Regional Plan Update.
The draft Shaping SEQ 2023 Regional Plan Update forecasts Ipswich’s population will grow to 528,000 by 2046, which will require more than 100,000 additional dwellings. This equates to 100 new dwellings being delivered in Ipswich each week compared to the current 50 dwellings.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Ipswich was expected to take in a significant amount of growth in the coming decades with next to no new infrastructure proposed to accommodate this growth.
“Ipswich is Queensland’s fastest-growing city with a population expected to more than double in the next two decades, yet the transport investment in our city is some of the lowest in South East Queensland,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich is Queensland’s sixth largest city and growing at an exponential rate. Yet, of the 77 councils in Queensland, Ipswich is ranked 58th for per capita transport investment.
“The infrastructure proposed to manage the growth expected in Ipswich falls woefully short of what is needed, and unfortunately that investment shortfall comes at the expense of our residents' liveability and safety.
“Council’s submission has made it very clear to the Queensland Government that if it expects Ipswich to play its role in accommodating significant growth in the region, then we need a significant boost in transport investment.”
Council’s submission also notes the significantlycompressed engagement timeframes for council and the community to understand and respond to the draft Shaping SEQ 2023 Regional Plan Update, as the State fast-tracks the review to address the current housing crisis.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Paul Tully said council’s submission identified five locations across the city with potential to house more than 4,000 new dwellings including units and townhouses in multi-storey developments.
“These locations include a 17.6-hectare vacant site next to the Wulkuraka railway station, estimated to be able to support nearly 500 homes and 1,000 residents,” Cr Tully said.
“Another location identified by council as having significant potential for housing density is a 23-hectare site owned by the Department of Education in Bundamba.
“Currently home to the Bundamba TAFE, close to the railway station and services, this site is ideally located to support an expanded and mixed-use offering, without impacting the TAFE.
“This site could support about 1,450 dwellings and 3,000 residents.”
The Shaping SEQ Regional Plan is a statutory document that guides the growth and development of South East Queensland. The Queensland Government is currently undertaking a review of the existing plan to consider the significant growth and events that have taken place in recent years.
Council’s full submission to the State Government is available online.