A PETITION is gaining momentum for Ipswich to have its own toy library, cracking 250 signatures in one week.
The Ipswich City Council has touted the need for a circular economy, but it is clear to residents in the Ipswich region that this plan requires a focus on “recycle, reuse, remake” to achieve an overall reduction of Ipswich City Council waste going into landfill.
During the Ipswich City Council election campaign, Division 3 Greens candidate Danielle Mutton called on Ipswich City Council to include the implementation of a Tip Shop, Toy Library, Tool Library and Repair Centre into their Circular Economy, Sustainability and Resource Recovery policies and implement plans to be able to hit required goals within the economy goals while looking after the environment.
To date, there are still no commitments from Council to include these cost-saving and waste-reducing initiatives.
Ms Mutton met with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Ipswich City Council Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee this month, before initiating the community petition.
Local mum Rebecca Richter is one of those to have signed the petition, and a frequent visitor of the Brisbane South Toy Library located at Richlands.
“We love borrowing toys from the Brisbane South Toy Library,” Ms Richter said.
“My daughter has access to an enormous range of toys, and we save money and feel great knowing that we are not wasting money on plastic that will eventually go to landfill.
“I really wish we had a toy library in the Ipswich region, as it’s a bit of a drive to Richlands and it’s not really possible to get there via public transport easily.”
“Ipswich has a dedicated Children’s Library for books. It would be so wonderful to have a dedicated library for educational children’s toys.
“That would be a real game-changer for so many parents and caregivers and will provide local job opportunities for Ipswich Library staff.”
Currently, there are approximately 280 Toy Libraries in Australia, with only 25 situated in Queensland.
Over 200 families are currently members of the Brisbane South Toy Library in Richlands.
