Campaign to rename Paul Pisasale Bridge in Springfield after Ash Barty gets support from thousands
The Ipswich council is exploring options to make a fitting permanent tribute to humble local champion Ash Barty, including using a $100,000 grant to build a statue.
Ipswich
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A grassroots campaign to honour Ipswich champion Ash Barty while removing recognition of disgraced former mayor Paul Pisasale in one of the fastest growing areas in Australia is gathering momentum.
A petition to rename Paul Pisasale Bridge in Springfield Central to Ashleigh Barty Bridge has more than 2600 signatures.
Ipswich City Council is exploring the idea of a fitting permanent tribute, with their options including whether to put a $100,000 grant towards building a statue dedicated to the humble local success story, after her Wimbledon success earlier this month.
Mayor Teresa Harding said she believed Ms Barty’s achievements were worthy of “something new” and more significant than a bridge named in her honour.
Ms Barty, who is building a home in nearby Brookwater, is expected home in November.
“We have a strong focused community here in Ipswich,” the petition noted.
“A community that strives to encourage our young families and individuals to be proud of their community and the values people instil in our growing population.
“An Indigenous woman, a sporting legend, a woman of character who is proud to call this community her hometown.
“We are all so proud of Ash and acknowledge the values and successes through triumph and the low times where Ash’s character was tested and shone through maintaining her strength and values and always commending the support of her team family and fans.
“Our local legend has been able to bring to us pride and joy through these really challenging times.
“Genuinely authentic human being who has been reported to saying I have always lived in the area and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
“The time is well overdue. Could we really rename the bridge to anything else.”
Council discussions about renaming council assets and infrastructure named after councillors dismissed in 2018 have been put on the backburner but it is expected to resurface later in the year.
These include David Morrison Way in Springfield Central, Paul Tully Avenue in Collingwood Park, Paul Tully Bridge in Springfield Central, David Pahlke Bridge in Springfield Central, Sheila Ireland Reserve in Redbank Plains and Paul Pisasale Bridge in Springfield Central.
Cr Tully and Cr Ireland were returned to office last year.
Only former mayors Pisasale and Andrew Antoniolli were charged following the Crime and Corruption Commission’s extensive investigation into the council.
Pisasale is still in jail and Mr Antoniolli was acquitted after initially being found guilty of fraud offences.
Pisasale Drive, which runs across Deebing Heights, Purga and Yamanto, was proposed to be named by former councillor Charlie Pisasale to honour his parents Giuseppe and Maria.
The council’s former interim administrator Greg Chemello introduced a policy in 2019 to prevent landmarks being named after politicians.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the most important part of the process was what Ms Barty wanted.
“We want something significant and substantive to mark this historic occasion,” she said.
“The Queensland Government recently offered grants for local governments of up to $100,000 in an effort to encourage more gender diversity in statues across Queensland, and this is something council is keen to investigate.
“To do so, council would need to explore various locations around Ipswich, look at the relevant costs and seek the input of the community and Ash herself before making a final decision on the future of an Ash Barty statue in Ipswich.
“Council is aware of the petition to rename an Ipswich bridge after Ash Barty, and this is something that could be considered as an option.
“Given the history associated with the bridge, it is my hope that council and the community could top that with something new and very special for Ash.
“Council has plenty of time to consult with the community as Ash is not due back to Ipswich until November.
“She is set to compete in the Tokyo Olympics first and then the US Open before returning home and we wish her the best of luck in her quest for gold and a third slam title.
“The renaming of a bridge can be made by a decision of council.
“While the renaming of bridges, streets and other assets named after former Ipswich councillors hasn’t been the highest priority of the new council, it remains a common request from the community as we’ve seen with this latest petition.”
Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.
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