Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding unveils wish list ahead of federal Budget

The Mayor of Ipswich has unveiled her list of priority funding, including key roads projects, ahead of today’s federal Budget.

Mayor Teresa Harding. Picture: Cordell Richardson

The Ipswich Mayor is hoping tonight’s “inflation fighting federal Budget”, anticipated to deliver back-to-back surpluses, won’t leave out her fast-growing city.

In an exclusive to the Queensland Times, Mayor Teresa Harding said she was hoping for Ipswich’s “fair share’’ on projects that could add the most value to residents.

“Councils rely heavily on federal funding to be able to deliver projects that require a big budget,” Cr Harding said.

“Our rapid growth means there is incredible pressure on our road and transport network, as well as the need for more housing.

“Ipswich has the land but we need funding to support the creation of new housing.

“That requires roads to be built, water, sewerage, telecommunications, electricity and gas to be laid, before any homes can be built”.

The Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor (I2S) is at the top of Mayor Harding's wish list ahead of the 2024 federal budget. Picture: Ipswich City Council.

Topping her wish list was the long-awaited Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor (I2S), which would once completed provide a rail connection between the Springfield Central and Ipswich railway stations.

“Our highest priority remains the I2S, which will provide reliable and efficient public transport to our booming suburbs including the Ripley Valley and Redbank Plains,” she said.

“The top of my wish list is to see funding allocated for I2S to get shovels in the ground on this critical project, the moment the business cases are completed”.

Ipswich City Council endorsed the strategic and preliminary business cases for the Norman Street Bridge in 2020. Picture: Ipswich City Council.

She listed other key infrastructure projects that she hoped would be included in the Budget, including upgrades to the Warrego and Cunningham highways and the proposed Norman Street Bridge.

“I would like to see funding flow to the upgrades of the Warrego Highway Mt Crosby Rd interchange and the Cunningham Highway Amberley interchange,” she said.

“These highway upgrades have been critically needed for two decades, but we are simply at a point where we can’t be ignored any longer. People are dying.

“We are one of Queensland’s economic engine rooms, with an annual gross regional product of more than $12 billion and predictions of more than 20,000 jobs will be created over the coming decade.

“We need to be connected with safe roads.

“In the last federal Budget, cuts to Financial Assistant Grants, the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Roads to Recovery Program and Bridges Renewal Program meant fewer footpaths and bike paths, fewer sporting field upgrades as well as less kerb and road rehabilitation across Ipswich.

“We are taking in some of the biggest growth in the state and we simply can no longer sustain this inaction.

“I am depending on the federal government to put their money where it is most needed, here in Ipswich roads and infrastructure.

“The federal Government has the opportunity to invest in our region and support the Ipswich community in these significant projects that will allow Ipswich to be well connected, have more jobs and to grow our economy”.

TERESA HARDING’S BUDGET WISHLIST

• Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor (I2S)
• Critical and Enabling Infrastructure (Warrego, Cunningham and Centenary highways)
• Ipswich Central Second River Crossing (Norman Street Bridge)
• Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area
• Waste and Circular Economy Transformation