Ipswich City Council advocacy delivers $200m to fix notorious highway intersection
14 April 2025
Consistent advocacy efforts from Ipswich City Council and the community have paid off with federal election commitments by both major parties to upgrade the dangerous Amberley intersection on the Cunningham Highway.
In the lead-up to the 3 May election, the Coalition and Labor have each committed $200 million in funding to upgrade the dangerous section of road where Ipswich Rosewood Road and the Cunningham Highway meet.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said council has been working alongside the community for over two decades advocating for the upgrade, which is a critical infrastructure project for the city.
“Council has been campaigning alongside Ipswich residents to have a long-term fix for this intersection which is the entrance to Australia’s largest Air Force Base – RAAF Base Amberley, and part of Ipswich’s fastest growth corridor,” Mayor Harding said.
“The Amberley intersection is the backbone to Ipswich’s transport network, carrying both freight and passenger vehicles. It is dangerous, and the design needs to be upgraded with a fly over and four lanes to provide a long-term solution to increase safety and decrease delays for those using this highway.
“I am very pleased to have this $200 million commitment by the major parties to upgrade this intersection of the Cunningham Highway to the Amberley Interchange. It is something residents, particularly groups like Willowbank Area Residents Group, have been fighting for, for many years and now we need to see action here as soon as possible. Lives depend on it.”
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said residents of some of the city’s fastest-growing suburbs would benefit from the upgrade.
“The Ripley Valley Priority Development Area, Deebing Heights, Purga and Willowbank have been major drivers of a boom that is set to result in Ipswich’s population of 260,000 doubling by 2046,” Cr Augustine said.
“We need these important infrastructure upgrades to ensure we can accommodate increased road use to allow for the safe flow of traffic across Division 1.”
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said residents should be able to safely share the Cunningham Highway with freight vehicles and drivers accessing RAAF Base Amberley.
“Division 1 residents don’t want to see any more serious accidents at the unsafe Amberley Interchange,” Cr Madsen said.
“I hope to this upgrade can progress after the election now that both major parties have committed to its funding.”
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said the Amberley Interchange provides a key connection for 5,000 staff and personnel who work at RAAF Base Amberley.
“RAAF Base Amberley is a major employer in Ipswich and we want to ensure servicepeople and staff can safely and efficiently get to work and home to their loved ones,” he said.
“Almost 30,000 vehicles travel on the Cunningham Highway in Ipswich every day so a better designed intersection with Ipswich Rosewood Road is needed to reduce bottlenecks and the risk of vehicle collisions.”
Division 4 Councillor David Martin said upgrading the Amberley Interchange will have wider benefits to the Ipswich community.
“The Cunningham Highway connects rural areas of southern Queensland to the state’s highly populated south-east, with the Amberley Interchange providing access to the western suburbs of Ipswich,” Cr Martin said.
“Key Ipswich sporting venues such as Ivor Marsden Memorial Sports Complex and Queensland Raceway at Willowbank are also accessed by Amberley Interchange, so it’s a no-brainer that people should be able to travel in this area safely.
“I also understand the new interchange will incorporate a flyover which will improve traffic flow during peak periods such as when personnel at Amberley base are arriving at work.”
Willowbank Area Residents Group President Noel Roberts said fixing Amberley Interchange would improve the quality of life in his area by reducing residents’ driving stress and enhancing their ability to connect with the wider region.
“The current interchange experiences significant traffic congestion, creating real safety hazards for Willowbank residents and other drivers merging, exiting, and navigating the area,” Mr Roberts said.
“The upgrade will aim to streamline traffic flow, reduce bottlenecks, and ultimately make the roads safer for everyone, including Willowbank residents and RAAF who rely on this interchange daily.”