As the true local publication, Local Ipswich News is covering the Queensland State Election closely and bringing our readers the important news throughout the campaign.
For the remainder of our preview coverage, we will be hearing from both major parties who will be fighting to gain the keys of Parliament House.
The latest Australian Financial Review-Freshwater Strategy survey reveals the Opposition now leads the government 56-44 on a two-party-preferred basis, putting the LNP well within reach of forming a majority government.
In the 11th week of our coverage, we look at infrastructure and industrial relations and what issues the residents of the electorates of Bundamba, Jordan, Ipswich and Ipswich West are facing across these associated portfolios.
The Department of State Development and Infrastructure works to shape Queensland’s future by driving economic growth and enabling well-planned, inclusive and resilient local communities. The purpose of the department is to think ahead and act now to secure responsible economic development, safe workplaces and liveable communities.
The department’s purpose is underpinned by the following objectives:
- Economic prosperity
- Liveable communities
- Fair and safe workplaces and communities
KEY ELECTION TOPICS
- The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure program
- Queensland’s switch to renewable energy
- The State Government’s relationship with unions
- Anti-discrimination and human rights legislation in the workplace
KEY PROJECTS IN IPSWICH
Ipswich is one of Australia’s fastest-growing local government areas. Home to 250,000 people, the city’s population will more than double by 2046, with a predicted 530,000 residents.
As part of the investment into the city, the council is advocating for funds to improve the highway network. This critical and enabling infrastructure includes upgrades to Cunningham Highway, Warrego Highway, Centenary Motorway and Ripley Valley Priority Development Catalytic Infrastructure.
PROJECT UPDATES
The 2024-2025 Federal Budget has made a $134.5 million commitment to deliver upgrades at the Mount Crosby Road Interchange, including building a new two-lane bridge, the extension of existing ramps and delivery of new shared paths.
Major construction is expected to start in mid-2025 and early works kicking off in mid-2024.
The Federal Budget made a $42.5 million commitment to strengthen the westbound Bremer River Bridge on the Warrego Highway at Karalee. The State Budget has also committed $25 million out of the $85 million total spend towards strengthening the Bremer River Bridge on the Warrego.
Construction is expected to start in late 2024 and be completed by late 2026, improving safety and congestion. This is a vital connector to the Warrego Highway.
IPSWICH CENTRAL SECOND RIVER CROSSING
A multi-modal second river crossing in Ipswich Central will future-proof the inner-city road network against population growth, as well as reduce flood risk, improve driving conditions and reduce congestion. It will support connectivity, inner-city revitalisation, and economic development by providing an alternative route for through traffic. This is key to ensuring that Ipswich Central can continue to function as the city’s main activity centre.
BENEFITS TO IPSWICH
- Unlocks bottleneck and improves road safety
- Provides safe, flood-immune connectivity across the city
- Facilitates public and active transport connectivity
- Enables Ipswich Central to fulfil its role as economic centre
- Improves cross-river connectivity and permeability.
WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAY
Joint statement from Labor Members Lance McCallum, Jennifer Howard and Charis Mullen, and Labor candidate for Ipswich West Wendy Bourne.
“Only under a Miles Labor Government will we deliver the biggest decade of infrastructure build in Queensland’s history. For us, it’s Ipswich’s Big Build, and it’s all go.
We’re getting to work right across the region to build more hospitals, upgraded schools, more housing, better transport, and more renewable energy.
New schools at Bellbird Park, Ripley, Augustine Heights, and Collingwood Park along with the Ripley Satellite Hospital, and new Police and Ambulance Stations are just a few examples.
Through our Big Build we’ll deliver essential projects that will shape Ipswich for generations, providing secure jobs, modern facilities, and economic growth that our community deserves.
We’ll also build a second river crossing in Ipswich, upgrade the Mount Crosby and Amberley interchanges, and have committed tens of millions of dollars to fix the Bremer River Bridge.
This transformative investment is more than just about bricks and mortar. It’s about investing in our people and delivering on the core Labor values that working people deserve better wages, better conditions, and a fair go.
Labor has fought hard to secure wage growth and fair employment standards, and it’s Labor that has stood by Ipswich workers, ensuring they benefit from fair wages and better conditions.
But make no mistake – everything Ipswich has achieved under Queensland Labor is at risk. David Crisafulli and the LNP have a shameful track record of cuts, outsourcing, and putting profits before people.
If given the chance, they will gut the very projects and protections that Ipswich families rely on. Under an LNP government, wages will stagnate, infrastructure will be cut, delayed, or abandoned, and Ipswich workers will be left behind.
David Crisafulli and his party have made their agenda clear: more cuts to public services, more privatisation, and less support for working Queenslanders. We’ve seen it all before.
Queensland’s Big Build is about protecting our future and putting Ipswich workers first. Only Labor has the ambition, vision, and commitment to see Ipswich grow, delivering good jobs, strong wages, and the infrastructure we need.
The risk of the LNP is too great to ignore.”
