What Our Community Needs

What Our Community needs is an initiative designed to highlight and promote key infrastructure priorities identified by our four local council regions of Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council and Somerset Regional Council. Our mission with this undertaking is to strengthen our already thriving community by attracting both public and private investment to develop critical infrastructure projects. These projects aim to address significant regional needs, such as enhancing water infrastructure, replacement of timber bridges, improvements to our road and rail networks, and eliminating mobile black spots.

Take a moment to look through the proposed project flyers for each council to see the vision of creating a more connected, resilient, and prosperous Ipswich & West Moreton region for everyone.

Ipswich

Ipswich is set for major development with a series of strategic projects aimed at improving community facilities, infrastructure, and regional growth. These efforts show our commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life and boosting economic opportunities.

Ipswich Second River Crossing

Investing in Places

The Ipswich Central Second River Crossing is set to revolutionise movement across the city by providing a multi-modal crossing with increased flood immunity. This project is crucial for managing congestion, enhancing safety, and supporting the inner-city’s economic and urban development.

Critical and Enabling Infrastructure

Investing in Places

This project focuses on significant upgrades to the Cunningham Highway, Warrego Highway, and Centenary Highway, along with key developments in the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area. The upgrades aim to enhance transportation efficiency, safety, and connectivity, ensuring that Ipswich can accommodate its expanding population and support economic activities.

Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area

Investing in Industries

The Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area (ERIA) is a future-focused initiative designed to stimulate economic growth through the creation of an employment hub in South East Queensland. By delivering catalytic infrastructure and developing the Ebenezer Intermodal Terminal, this project aims to unlock approximately 3,500 full-time equivalent jobs across diverse high-value industries such as manufacturing and logistics.

North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct

Investing in Places

The North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct will transform Ipswich into a hub for sports and entertainment by developing a national-standard venue anchored by a boutique stadium. This precinct will address a current shortfall in social infrastructure, support economic growth, and enhance Ipswich’s role as a potential host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor

Investing in Services

The Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor project focuses on developing a mass transit solution to connect Queensland’s fastest-growing communities. This initiative will provide a transportation link between Ipswich, Springfield, Ripley, and Redbank Plains, promoting economic growth and improving accessibility to jobs, education, and services.

Lockyer Valley

The Lockyer Valley is poised for transformative growth with a series of pivotal projects designed to address key infrastructure needs and enhance regional development. Our goal is to support the community by improving essential services and facilities, ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future.

Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct

Investing in Industries and Local Economies

This project envisions transforming the Lockyer Valley into a world-class, multi-purpose equine hub that leverages the area’s thoroughbred racing heritage to offer equine activities and community facilities, projected to boost the region’s GRP by $16.3 million and create 198 jobs during construction, enhancing regional tourism and event hosting capabilities.

Lockyer Valley Flood Mitigation Works

Investing in Services

The Lockyer Valley Flood Management Plan outlines strategies like the Laidley and Withcott Flood Mitigation Schemes to enhance flood resilience by improving water storage and conveyance, aiming to reduce the unsustainable financial burden of flood damages on the community, with investments totalling $41.5 million in these initiatives to enhance regional connectivity and service accessibility.

Grantham Highway Access

Investing in Services

The proposed road infrastructure project, with a budget of $1.4 million, aims to establish a safe, flood-free evacuation route from Grantham to the Warrego Highway, enhancing disaster resilience, regional growth, and community safety, while also facilitating the activation of industrial land for local job creation.

Infrastructure Enabling Housing Land Release

Investing in Places

The proposed $2-3 million sewerage infrastructure upgrade in Gatton aims to activate 530 housing lots by addressing capacity constraints and facilitating compliance with the dwelling targets of the South East Queensland Regional Plan, enhancing community growth and sustainability through improved and innovative sewage management.

Lockyer Valley Sustainable Water

Investing in Services

The $262 million Sustainable Water Project in the Lockyer Valley, featuring a 297km pipeline network, aims to enhance water security for local horticulturalists by supplementing groundwater with sustainable sources from Wivenhoe Dam or the Bundamba Treatment Plant. This initiative is expected to boost annual agricultural production by $209.8 million and create 1,923 permanent jobs.

Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim is set to undergo significant development with a range of strategic projects aimed at enhancing community facilities, infrastructure, and regional growth. These initiatives reflect our commitment to improving the quality of life for residents and strengthening economic opportunities.

New Beaudesert Library

Investing in Places

The new Beaudesert Library, a $22.5 million initiative, is designed to significantly expand and modernise facilities to meet the diverse needs of the Scenic Rim community, featuring tailored zones for all age groups and enhancing cultural and educational opportunities to strengthen community cohesion, support economic growth, and enrich the region’s cultural landscape.

Beaudesert PCYC

Investing in Places

The proposed $10 million indoor multisport facility at Dick Westerman Park in Beaudesert aims to provide a roofed, climate-controlled venue with two courts and supportive amenities, enhancing local sports infrastructure, increasing park utilisation, and promoting broader community engagement and health initiatives.

Integrated Transport Plan

Investing in Services

The Scenic Rim Regional Council is developing a $20 million Integrated Transport Plan to address the extensive needs of its 1,767 km road network, aiming to enhance economic growth, public safety, and sustainability through strategic long-term improvements in transportation infrastructure.

Lake Wyaralong Olympic Infrastructure

Investing in Places

Lake Wyaralong, set to host the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events, will see a $20 million investment in infrastructure improvements including pontoons, finish towers, and transportation upgrades, aiming to boost economic and tourism activity, enhance its long-term role as Queensland’s primary rowing venue, and establish a legacy of world-class sporting facilities and multi-use community infrastructure.

Country University Centre

Investing in People

The Country University Centre (CUC) program, with a proposed budget of $1.5 million for the Beaudesert center, seeks to enhance regional education by providing tailored learning spaces with advanced connectivity and long operating hours, promoting local retention and workforce development by enabling students to study within their community under the governance of an independent local board.

Somerset

Exciting developments have potential in the Somerset region, with several pivotal projects set to drive infrastructure improvements, enhance community services, and promote environmental sustainability. These initiatives are carefully selected to support regional advancement, enrich community life, and stimulate economic growth.

Community Energy Updates

Investing in Services

The Somerset Regional Council plans to convert 1,362 non-LED streetlights to LEDs for $1.5 million, aiming to reduce energy consumption by 266,451 kWh and cut CO2 emissions by 213 tonnes annually, leading to yearly savings of $151,712 in energy costs. This shift to more sustainable lighting will enhance environmental quality, lower utility expenses, and increase the reliability of the region’s energy systems.

Fernvale Sports Park

Investing in Places

The Fernvale Sports Park, developed by Somerset Regional Council at a cost of $11.5 million, spans 22 hectares and includes sports facilities like netball courts, football and cricket ovals, and an amenities building, supporting community clubs and stakeholders such as the Somerset Storm Netball Club and the Brisbane Valley Rattlers Australian Football Club, contributing to adaptive, accessible, and sustainable regional development.

Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre

Investing in Places

The Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre, established in 1996, is undergoing upgrades with a two-stage investment totalling $10.5 million to address modernisation gaps such as space, storage, and ventilation issues, aiming to transform it into a regional sporting hub that supports the community’s athletic needs, hosts more events, and creates 30 FTE jobs during construction.

Lowood Futures Strategy

Investing in Places

The Lowood Futures Strategy outlines a $16 million investment plan to redevelop Lowood, enhancing its public spaces, infrastructure, and local economy to better serve its growing population and attract tourists. This strategy includes specific projects like the Botanic Core, enhanced streetscapes, and a new Community Hub, aiming to transform Lowood into a more inviting and vibrant regional centre.

Toogoolawah Gateway Project

Investing in Places

The Toogoolawah Gateway Project proposes a $5.3 million investment to develop a new library and community facility on Cressbrook Street, adjacent to the Rail Trail. This larger, strategically located facility will offer essential amenities, ample parking, and bicycle facilities, improving access to community and visiting services.