RIPLEY has emerged as the clear frontrunner for Ipswich’s long-awaited synthetic tartan athletics track after a controversial Extraordinary Meeting of Ipswich City Council dramatically shifted the city’s Olympic legacy plans.
The decision has transformed what was once one of several possible locations into the most likely site for Ipswich’s premier athletics facility, but has ignited fierce debate over governance, transparency and whether councillors acted before the community had its say.
The Extraordinary Meeting, called with just 45 minutes’ notice last Wednesday, has sparked criticism after both Mayor Teresa Harding and Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle were unable to attend due to prior commitments.
The decision voted on is to pursue a partnership with the Department of Education to investigate delivering the facility at Ripley Valley State Secondary College, with long-term community access and a $2.5 million Council contribution if the project secures Queensland Government Games On! funding.
Division 4 Councillor Pye Augustine said the decision was necessary to maximise Ipswich’s chances of securing State funding.
“The reason for calling this Extraordinary Meeting was to bring forward a decision that had already been scheduled for August 11,” Cr Augustine said.
“To give Ipswich the best chance of securing a synthetic athletics track, we needed to meet earlier.”
She said the Ripley proposal had been developed over several years by Providence Athletics Club and Ripley Valley State Secondary College, with detailed designs and costings already completed following an earlier unsuccessful State funding application.
“The Ripley option is a brilliant strategic move in terms of cost, location and funding opportunity,” Cr Augustine said.
“We were going around and around. We needed to make a stand.”
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden, who voted against the Ripley proposal despite acknowledging the urgency, said he accepted the outcome.
“The resolution passed at this meeting should make it more likely that Ipswich will secure a tartan track,” he said.
Ipswich and Districts Athletics President Vic Pascoe said: “I’m totally disappointed by the actions of some councillors who want the track to be elsewhere – central Ipswich is the best option on the top oval.”
Speaking publicly for the first time since the meeting, Mayor Harding questioned both the process and the decision.
“I spent many hours with councillors that afternoon at the citizenship ceremonies and not one of them asked me for my availability,” she said.
“For more than a year, Council has been working through a careful process to identify the most suitable location for a future athletics track.
“Our goal has always been to secure the strongest outcome for athletes, families and volunteers, and that requires transparent discussion and a decision grounded in proper assessment.”
