MAJOR road upgrades in Thagoona and Springfield have been announced by Ipswich City Council, but backlash from residents highlights ongoing frustration over the broader state of roads across the region.
In Thagoona, works have begun on a $2.82 million upgrade to Adelong Ave. The project will deliver more than 12,000 square metres of new road pavement and improved drainage.
Preliminary construction has already begun, with full completion expected by Christmas.
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said the community had been waiting years for this investment.
“The western suburbs are among the fastest-growing areas in Ipswich, and this corridor – Rosewood, Walloon and Thagoona – was earmarked for growth two decades ago,” Cr Madden said.
“It’s critical that infrastructure keeps pace.”
Meanwhile, in Springfield, the city continues to progress one of its largest road infrastructure projects – the duplication of Springfield Parkway. This $21.7 million stage will widen the road from two to four lanes between Old Logan Rd and the Springfield Greenbank Arterial.
Chair of the Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee, Councillor Andrew Antoniolli, said the duplication was a major investment in the city’s transport future, aimed at easing congestion for the more than 20,000 vehicles using the road daily.
However, despite these upgrades, many Ipswich residents have voiced discontent over what they describe as neglected road maintenance across older suburbs.
Social media platforms have seen an outpouring of criticism, with users listing streets in Ripley, Leichhardt, Raceview, Silkstone, North Ipswich, Brassall and other suburbs where potholes, crumbling surfaces and delayed repairs remain persistent issues.
Smaller projects such as the Tamatea Drive and Nugent St intersection have also come under fire for sluggish progress.
State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said the concerns were consistent with what he heard regularly from locals.
“Ipswich has some of the highest council rates in South East Queensland but some of the worst roads,” he said.
“Potholes are everywhere, and repairs often don’t last after a bit of rain.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann highlighted increased support from the Albanese Government, encouraging the Council to take advantage of available funding.
“We are doubling Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to $1 billion per year, and the Black Spot Program to $150 million annually,” Mr Neumann said.
“Our region is growing rapidly, and that places additional strain on local roads. These programs are designed to help councils deliver safer, longer-lasting infrastructure.”
Residents say that while major infrastructure is welcome, there must also be renewed focus on maintaining and upgrading the roads people rely on every day.
