A PROPOSED high-density residential development on WM Hughes St in North Ipswich has sparked a major backlash, with 120 public submissions lodged against the project.
Ipswich City Council will now review concerns before making a decision on the development, which has drawn strong opposition from residents and local advocacy group Sinking Ipswich.
The group warns the site is on a deteriorating floodplain, posing long-term risks, along with risk to multiple cultural heritage sites, and traffic management risks needing to be addressed.
Sinking Ipswich founder Nick White, a resident for nearly 40 years, said the area’s riverbanks had been eroding for years.
“Developing on a crumbling floodplain is a significant risk,” Mr White said.
The land, previously owned by Queensland Rail, was designated for environmental remediation due to contamination before part of it was developed into Riverlink Shopping Centre.
However, further development has stalled, reigniting community concerns.
Past Ipswich City Council Master Plans recommended the land be preserved as public open space, like Colleges Crossing.
In 2017, the Council considered acquiring the site for public use but did not proceed.
A key concern is the developer’s plan to transfer responsibility for the site’s unstable riverbank to future body corporate owners.
Mr White called this move “outrageous”, arguing private residents should not bear the burden of managing an eroding floodplain.
“This isn’t just about one site – it’s about the future of Ipswich,” he said.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding confirmed the Council had received public submissions and a petition opposing the development.
“I have been contacted by many residents worried about its impact on the floodplain.”
Now that the public notification period has closed, all submissions will be assessed.
The proposal seeks approval for a 472-unit residential development, sub-division of one lot into three, material change of use for 106 additional units, and preliminary earthworks across the site.
An Independent Decision Review Panel will assess the application and advise Council.
