$250 million redevelopment of Ipswich CBD nears completion

Ipswich City Council has allocated a $44 million boost to the redevelopment of the city centre as works enter the final stages.

A total $44 million will be allocated to the final stage of works at Nicholas Street Precinct.

IPSWICH’S $250 million redevelopment is one step closer to completion with works set to enter the final stages.

While Ipswich City Council prepares to move into its new headquarters at Nicholas Street Precinct on Monday, final touches to the wider CBD area will continue.

A significant contribution of $44 million under council’s 2021-22 budget has been set aside to see the project through to its completion.

The majority of the funds – $36 million – will fund the precinct’s retail component including a cinema, food outlets, allied health services, as well as alfresco dining and other hospitality venues.

This will cover reconstruction works on existing building facades in addition to enabling tenant fit-outs to commence.

Meanwhile, extension works and the fit-out of a revamped Commonwealth Hotel will receive a further $5.1 million in funding.

The venue, widely known as Murphy’s Town Pub, required a complete restoration after it partially collapsed in 2019 with it later deemed uninhabitable.

Ipswich City Council will move into its new administration building in the Nicholas Street Precinct on Monday.

Cr Marnie Doyle said the revived watering-hole would help breathe life into the struggling CBD by driving additional foot traffic in the area.

“By extending the lease period and attracting a larger tenant we will improve the site’s commerciality allowing for greater return for council on their investment,” Cr Doyle said.

A total $225,000 injection will further streetscaping efforts along Nicholas Street and Union Place as per council’s budget spend.

Areas surrounding council’s Administration Building including the Children’s Library, a much-needed upgrade to the adjoining carpark and civic square would receive a $2.5 million contribution.

Cr Doyle said she was excited to see broader works on the CBD redevelopment had progressed.

“With the opening next week of council’s 1 Nicholas Street administration building and new children’s library to complement the Ipswich Central Library, this is a great time to visit Tulmur Place and new civic space,” she said.

Councillor Marnie Doyle says the redeveloped Commonwealth Hotel will breathe life back into Ipswich’s CBD.

Mayor Teresa Harding said the mammoth task would greatly benefit the entire region.

“One of our outcomes for 2026 is that Ipswich is known as a sought-after location for business, industry and visitors,” she said.

“And that our city centre is alive with dining and entertainment for people to engage in that’s open seven days a week and late at night.”

Announcements about commercial tenants set to take up shop in the precinct are expected in the coming months.

“Work is also continuing on the Nicholas Street retail development, and we expect to make exciting announcements about commercial tenants joining the precinct in the months ahead,” Cr Harding said.

Hutchinson Builders were awarded the tender back in 2019 and will continue works into next year.

Read more stories by Kaitlyn Smith here.