PLANS are underway for the Bell St community precinct to be revived and made more welcoming for the booming population of Ipswich and those who visit the city.
The concept masterplanning is focused on renewing the health and community precinct with expanded community facilities, new housing options, and key worker accommodation.
Designer and proud local Kirsty O’Brien told Local Ipswich News why the concept masterplan was so important for the community.
“When I joined Ipswich Central Partnership people had all these ideas that they wanted council to do to fix up the city,” Ms O’Brien said.
“I recognised that the Nicholas St precinct was beautiful, but next door was a street with a real image problem.”
Ms O’Brien said Bell St provided an important public transport hub and gateway to the city.
“It was very run down and dirty, and people were scared of the place – the community deserved
better,” she said.
“We brought the community together to clean up the street and we encouraged the users of the street to participate in art projects for a sense of ownership and pride.
“We called for a working group of government departments that owned property in the street, and the government listened.
“We wanted to see the place redeveloped, as a gateway to the city, a transport hub that could support active transport, and a link between the river and the city.
“The buildings were coming to the end of their useful life and were very ugly, so it was time for this to happen.
“Community needs to lead the way for cultural revitalisation.”
Being undertaken by Economic Development Queensland, working with a number of key stakeholders, this planning aims to build on Ipswich City Council’s revitalisation of the Nicholas St precinct and continue the momentum for development in the Bell St area.
The Bell St precinct includes several state-owned assets, including the former Transit Centre, Health Plaza and Ipswich Train Station.
State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said it was a great opportunity to look at how the Bell St precinct could be enhanced.
“Ipswich is one of Queensland’s fastest-growing cities, and this masterplan will look to unlock opportunities in the CBD to respond to that growth,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to see stakeholders coming together to consider ideas that will build on the terrific work our Council has done in reviving our city heart.”
