Ipswich City Council reveals which venues will close to unvaccinated residents

Unvaccinated Ipswich residents will be banned from a number of council-owned facilities when Queensland’s vaccine mandate kicks in on Friday.

Just two days out from Queensland’s vaccine mandate taking effect, Ipswich City Council has revealed the facilities that will be closed to the unvaccinated.

The state government’s new restrictions will prevent unvaccinated people from visiting a range of venues including, but not limited to, restaurants, pubs, cafes, hospitals, aged care homes, and disability accommodation services.

In accordance with a direction from acting chief health officer Peter Aitken, from 5am Friday December 17 only fully vaccinated or medically exempt people (aged 16 and over) will be permitted to enter: Ipswich Civic Centre, North Ipswich Corporate Centre (function centre), Studio 188 (function centre/indoor entertainment venue), Level 1 Nicholas Street (function centre), Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich Nature Centre, and festivals where ticketed entry applies.

As well as providing proof of double vaccination, or of a medical exemption, visitors to these council facilities will be required to register their details with the Check in Qld app.

Ipswich Art Gallery is one of seven council-owned facilities that will be closed to the unvaccinated from Friday. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Ipswich City Council released a statement about the new rules on Wednesday.

“As a public sector entity, (the) council is obligated to comply with the public health direction and must apply the public health direction taking all reasonable measures and steps to do so,” the statement read.

“(The) council has identified roles that are impacted by the public health direction and are working with about 200 staff to ensure they are complying with the direction.

“(The) council is committed to working with the entire workforce to create a culture where everyone feels mentally and physically safe in their workplace.”

The statement noted that the chief health officer’s direction is enforceable by the Queensland Police Service.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding.

Venues including libraries, community facilities, outdoor community events, customer service centres and sport facilities will still be accessible to the unvaccinated come Friday, according to Ipswich City Council.

The announcement comes less than a week after a controversial ‘Ipswich business for pro-choice’ event saw more than 300 local residents and business owners, as well as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Queensland premier Campbell Newman, rally against the mandate.

No Ipswich City councillors or local state or federal members of parliament attended.

A second ‘pro-choice’ event will be held at Raceview restaurant Casa Mia on Thursday evening, with guest speakers set to include business consultant Simon Honrstra and business owner union representative Deidre Abell.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson spoke against the impending vaccine mandate at a ‘pro-choice’ event in Ipswich on Thursday, December 9. Picture: Facebook / Casa Mia

It is understood last week’s meeting was held on the same night as the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce AGM, and Thursday’s meeting will be held on the same night as the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce AGM.

Ipswich City Council stated it would continue to “strongly encourage the vaccination of its employees, contractors and visitors”.

“(The) council also understands the concerns of some businesses and members of the community that these new vaccination requirements are complex and represent significant change,” the council’s statement read.

“(The) council will continue to provide updates as the circumstances evolve and offer support to the community wherever possible.”