SIX years after stepping into the mayoral office during one of the most turbulent periods in the city’s history, Mayor Teresa Harding is eager and excited to lead Ipswich into its next chapter.
“I am running for re-election in 2028, and there is still a lot of work to do,” Mayor Harding said.
When she took office in 2020, Ipswich was emerging from administration following the dismissal of the previous council.
At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic was beginning to reshape cities across Australia.
“It was a challenging start,” Mayor Harding said.
“At that time we had a derelict mall in the city centre.”
That space has now been transformed into the Nicholas Street Precinct – a project the Mayor believes symbolises the turnaround of Ipswich.
“Last year we had 2.2 million visitations through the precinct and it’s about 89 per cent tenanted by floor space,” she said.
“It’s become a real heart for the city centre.”
The revitalisation has also helped attract major private investment, including the announcement of a Hilton hotel development – a move Mayor Harding says signals growing confidence in Ipswich’s future.
Mayor Harding is quick to downplay any suggestion that Ipswich’s turnaround is the result of a single person.
“It’s absolutely a team effort,” she said. “No one person lands deals like Hilton.”
She credits councillors, Council executives, and community leaders for helping reposition Ipswich as a city open for investment
Looking ahead, Mayor Harding believes the biggest challenge facing Ipswich is managing its rapid growth, with the city having already doubled in population over the past two decades – and expected to double again in the next 20 years.
“When people move here they need roads, bridges and public transport,” she said. “But it’s also about social infrastructure – parks, sporting facilities, cafes and local businesses.”
Reflecting on when she first took office, Mayor Harding said Council was playing catch-up on the groundwork required to secure major government funding.
In recent years, the city has begun securing significant funding commitments, including $40 million for the redevelopment of North Ipswich Reserve.
“My job – and the job of Council – is to make sure Ipswich is ready for the future and that our community has the infrastructure and opportunities it deserves,” Mayor Harding said.
Her tenure has also involved navigating difficult and often unpopular decisions.
“Sometimes you’re making decisions that aren’t popular, but you have to move forward,” she said.
As Ipswich prepares for the post-Olympics era, Mayor Harding said Council has ambitious plans for social infrastructure, housing affordability, and local employment.
“It’s exciting times ahead,” she said. “Ipswich is building its future while holding on to what makes it unique: community, resilience, and opportunity.”
