I FIRST walked into Springfield more than 16 years ago when the ideas of Maha Sinnathamby and Bob Sharpless were just dreams.
Those hopes and aspirations for their new city have in most part come to fruition although some of their grandest plans such as it becoming home to 10,000 units and town houses fell by the wayside.
Springfield has its quality schools, university, hospital, train station and a flourishing Orion Shopping Centre.
Unfortunately, while this has been happening, we have been let down by the State and Federal Governments and our road network and the crowded Centenary Highway is the perfect example of this neglect.
The government knew what was happening as the area expanded but sat on their hands and did nothing.
Traffic banks up every weekday and every afternoon testing the patience of drivers hoping to access not only Springfield, but also Ripley, Deebing Heights and Providence.
At least one part of this bottle neck will soon get relief with the Centenary Highway and Logan Motorway intersection upgrade finally nearing competition.
The Mater Hospital opening a few years ago was a win for the area, but with no Emergency Department it left those living in the fastest growing region with long drives to urgently find a hospital.
Once again, the State Government was slow to act, but now, years after it was first required, we are finally getting a high-quality medical centre in the form of Ripley Satellite Hospital.
The hospital will take the pressure off the bursting ED at Ipswich Hospital and will hopefully mean patients won’t have to sit around for hours seeking treatment for minor injuries and ailments.
The answer as to why the government has been slow to act in the Ipswich region is quite simple.
We are seen as a safe Labor party area and the need to win votes here is not a priority.
It’s common knowledge if you want State and Federal Government funds to flow into your area you need to be an electorate that can swing on just a few votes.
Our current members do their best, but they would have far more success if the governments of the day feared they may lose their seats at the next election.
But that’s life and that’s politics.
