The story of Ipswich’s future is one of growth and is intrinsically interwoven with the story of South East Queensland’s future. The future of the City as a major regional centre has been secured with the release of the South East Queensland Regional Plan and the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2005-2026. Together these two state government plans focus on the Ipswich region as part of the answer to housing the estimated influx of one million new residents in the south east corner of the state during the next 20 years.

Ipswich City Council is clearly focused on complementing the South East Queensland Regional Plan and creating successful communities by generating jobs to support population growth, through the development of the Ipswich Central Business District, Springfield Town Centre, Ripley Town Centre, two universities, Australia’s first Defence Super Base at Amberley, Ipswich Aerospace Park at Amberley and several regionally significant commercial and industrial parks.

The economy of Ipswich is already enjoying the biggest growth phase in the City’s history. Ipswich is now the Australian headquarters of Capral Aluminium with the opening of a $160 million state-of-the-art facility at Bremer Business Park, Swanbank Paper and Boulder Steel are being established in Ipswich, RAAF Base Amberley is undergoing a $285 million redevelopment, Springfield Town Centre is underway and the $200 million Riverlink development and River Heart plans are to revitalise the Ipswich CBD. Food, manufacturing, transportation, aeronautical industry, education and environmental innovation feature in the City’s economic backbone.

The booming eastern suburbs of Ipswich, including Springfield, Springfield Lakes and Brookwater now represent the fastest growing area in the fastest growing region of Australia. Construction has started on the extension of the Centenary Highway from Springfield through the Ripley Valley to Yamanto. Construction has also started on the Springfield Town Centre, incorporating the Orion Shopping Centre (designed to be the largest in Australia) and Education City, a new precinct next to the town centre.

This significant economic activity has not happened overnight. In the past decade, Ipswich’s economic development strategies have attracted many major investments and the City is now reaping the benefits. Ipswich is now realising its full potential and growing into a major centre that is undeniably a great place to invest and live in. Ipswich City Council is preparing a master plan for Ipswich 2020 and Beyond.The plan for Ipswich’s future, as a City of Centres and Job Generators, is designed to achieve Ipswich’s vision to be recognised universally as a great place to live, work and visit.

Ipswich City Council is a member of the Western Sub-Regional Organisation of Councils (WESROC) and the Council of Mayors (SEQ). These organisations comprise of councils working collaboratively to encourage business and development to South East Queensland.

View Ipswich City Council’s latest Economic Development Electronic Newsletter.