New roadmap to protect and enhance Ipswich’s heritage
26 March 2025
Ipswich heritage sites will be better protected and celebrated under a new coordinated approach by Ipswich City Council.
The Ipswich Heritage Plan 2025-2029, which provides the city with a strategic direction for proactive heritage management as well as greater protection of significant sites, was endorsed by Ipswich City Council at its February Ordinary Meeting.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the five-year plan identifies council’s role in preserving, enhancing and celebrating Ipswich’s cultural and historical legacy.
“The Ipswich Heritage Plan 2025-2029 is just the second heritage plan to be developed by a local council in Queensland, underscoring our city’s commitment to protecting and honouring the millennia of history that abounds in our region,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich is home to a trove of stunning and significant heritage treasures, including more than 7,000 protected places.
“Ipswich’s rich and proud history is on full display throughout our city, whether in character buildings standing prominently throughout our suburbs or sacred Indigenous sites such as White Rock.
“These places give us insight into our past and help us build our understanding of how we became the vibrant and thriving city of 260,000 people we are today.
“Heritage management becomes increasingly important as our city continues to grow at a rapid rate, with our population expected to double by 2046.
“It can be difficult and delicate, so I’m pleased the Ipswich Heritage Plan 2025-2029 has been developed to provide a clear path forward on heritage management.
“Council takes seriously its role as a custodian of Ipswich heritage, whether it be as the trustee of heritage-listed buildings or through initiatives such as our Picture Ipswich website and our recent refurbishment of the 115-year-old Hotel Commonwealth in the Nicholas Street Precinct.
“I would like to thank Councillor Marnie Doyle for her leadership in this area. She initiated this plan from her tireless advocacy for our city’s heritage and worked closely with the council to form a management plan that honours and protects our heritage.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the plan highlights a need to raise community awareness of Ipswich’s heritage assets, proposing an archive or museum.
“We need to ramp up our efforts to tell the world about the beauty of Ipswich heritage,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“The long-term proposal for a permanent centre, incorporating the city’s first Indigenous Cultural Centre, would be a great way to inform the community of Ipswich’s fantastic heritage.
“Increasing awareness of the extent, value and significance of our heritage assets, particularly to younger Ipswich residents and our newest citizens, can only help efforts to protect them.”
The plan also outlines key strategies to manage heritage, including comprehensively updating council’s record of heritage assets in Ipswich.
Cr Antoniolli said the plan identifies the need to engage and work with the community to ensure heritage structures do not fall victim to disrepair.
“We want to avoid demolition by neglect, which is why the Heritage Plan outlines ways to assist community members in caring for heritage assets,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“That means looking at opportunities to upskill members of the community in heritage management, as well as providing them with expert advice and supporting volunteers and community groups who want to help protect Ipswich’s heritage.”