Ipswich’s Olympic legacy off to a golden start with inaugural meeting
28 April 2023
The Ipswich 2032 Legacy Working Group got off to a golden start as it met last week to discuss opportunities for Ipswich in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the working group’s main aims were to identify, inform, shape and bring boldness to legacy opportunities and outcomes in the lead up to, during and beyond the 2032 Games.
“This group will inform and shape the Ipswich 2032 Legacy Roadmap which is intended to define the highest priority opportunities for our region, to influence local investment and shape the contribution that Ipswich can make to the event,” Mayor Harding said.
“For Ipswich to be successful in maximising our Games’ opportunities, we need our community to be at the forefront of that vision. We know this group will work with council to bring forward innovative ideas for our legacy programs and initiatives.
“Ipswich is fortunate to have such a great cross-section of community leaders to ensure we get the best outcome for our city.
“From Olympians to business identities, leading figures in education and social services and across private enterprise and government, we’ve had an excellent group of people to put their hands up to help build Ipswich’s legacy.”
Ipswich 2032 Legacy planning’s participatory phase aimed to seek broad community input through a survey tool aimed at schools, sporting clubs and the wider community.
This survey, completed in March, sought to understand what the focus areas should be, what are the top priorities and what Ipswich will dare to do by 2032.
Economic and Industry Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Nicole Jonic said the focus would now shift to the top three focus areas identified by survey participants.
“The end of our participatory phase saw 274 responses from a wide cross-section of the community, identifying Transport Connectivity, Sport Infrastructure and Development and Event Attraction as the top three areas of focus,” Cr Jonic said.
“We all have a great chance to advocate for things that will leave a legacy for decades to come.
“One example of Transport Connectivity and the importance of securing funding is the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor, which is crucial for future growth and development in the city.
“This is truly a meaningful and lasting investment that will affect housing and affordability and reduce congestion and emissions for decades to come.”
Members of the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council also attended and shared their ideas on Wednesday, 19 April.
Members of the working group are as follows:
Deborah Acason – OLY – Sport and Recreation Officer
Deborah is a lifelong resident of Ipswich, and a two-time Olympian and multiple Commonwealth Games medallist in weightlifting. Deb works in sports and recreation and in local through to national level sporting organisations. Deb is an international and national level coach in multiple sports. She also has three girls with suited ages to compete in 2032.
Jacob Anson – Brisbane Lions – General Manager of Infrastructure, Strategy and Government Relations
Jake is an urban and environmental (town) planner and former Queensland Young Planner of the Year with experience managing community sporting programs, strategy and facility legacies for AFL across Queensland. He currently oversees community programs for the Brisbane Lions and operations at Brighton Homes Arena.
Christine Castley – Multicultural Australia – Chief Executive Officer
Christine is an experienced senior executive leader, with substantial expertise in organisational transformation and change management, strategic governance, project management, policy, community engagement, operations and service delivery. She was previously Deputy Director-General in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Housing and Public Works.
David Edwards – Ipswich Grammar School – Board of Trustees Chair
David and his family have lived and worked in Ipswich for generations. He is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Ipswich Grammar School and has extensive knowledge and experience in infrastructure planning and delivery in CEO roles in the Queensland Government. He currently consults to the private and public sectors on infrastructure projects and commercial transactions.
Russell Luhrs – Springfield City Group –Chief Operating Officer
Russell has overseen the planning and infrastructure development of Greater Springfield and its intergenerational social, environmental, and economic contribution to Ipswich over the past 18 years. He has 35 years of experience in urban development working in both local and state governments, and the private sector. He holds qualifications in business management, urban and regional planning, and urban design, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
Jim Nyland – University of Southern Queensland – Dean of Students
Professor Jim Nyland is Dean (Students) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). He has previously served as the Associate Vice-Chancellor (Brisbane) at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and has held academic appointments at the University of Queensland, Griffith University and in a number of universities in the UK. He is also Chair of Engagement Australia.
Tony Quinn – Quinnfinity group – Founder and Entrepreneur
Tony is the owner of Queensland Raceway, a successful entrepreneur and racing enthusiast. In terms of motorsports, Tony is best known for his ownership and development of racetracks in New Zealand and Australia. More recently, Tony became the major shareholder of Triple Eight Racing. Tony has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and investor, particularly in relation to the food manufacturing industry and property development.
Murray Saylor – Tagai Management Consultants – Founder and Managing Director
Murray is the owner of local Indigenous business Tagai Management Consultants. He is a driven social entrepreneur working collaboratively with governments, businesses and communities in the areas of procurement, sustainability and community development. Currently he holds positions on the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council, Queensland Performing Arts Trust and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
James Sturges – Advancing Communities Australia – Founder and Chair
James has been an active community leader in Ipswich, contributing to business and community activities. He has held previous positions as General Manager of Llewellyn Motors Group and Chief Executive of the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School, as well as being the Founder and Chair of Advancing Communities Australia. He also participates in several other committees.
Peter G Tully – Queenslanders with Disability Network – Director
Peter is a director at the Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) and maintains his dream to see people with disability flourish. Peter plays a prominent role in the development of disability awareness, advocating at every point of community connections and at all levels of government. In his position with DCA Mentoring Supports, Peter continues to value inclusion, building participants’ capabilities, and promoting awareness.
Darren Zanow – Ipswich Show Society – President
Born and bred Ipswich resident Darren Zanow has run successful businesses in the city while helping to renew the Ipswich Showgrounds and helping to lobby for the proposed Ipswich Convention and Exhibition Centre. He has been involved with the agricultural, horticultural, industrial and cultural attributes of the city all his life and hopes to contribute to the legacy of Ipswich.