Life line: 816 homes planned for Goodna, Ripley, Deebing Heights, Walloon

More than 800 new homes proposed to Ipswich City Council have made big moves forward in a week, as developers race to solve the city’s housing crisis.

As Queensland’s fastest-growing local government area the complex issue of the ongoing housing crisis is felt keenly in Ipswich, however in the span of one week five developers revealed their plans to ready more than 800 parcels of land across four different suburbs. Picture: David Nielsen

As Queensland’s fastest-growing local government area, the complex issue of the ongoing housing crisis is felt acutely in Ipswich, however developers eager to take advantage of the population boom have revealed plans to build 816 homes.

Last week three separate plans were submitted to the Ipswich City Council for approval to build a total of 563 homes at Ripley and Deebing Heights.

Also, another two housing developments (253 lots) planned for Walloon and Goodna entered the public notification stage of their applications.

Yearly dwelling approvals in Ipswich increased by 31 per cent compared to those recorded in 2019 and 2020.

Ipswich is in desperate need of critical infrastructure, especially housing, as the western corridor is experiencing a sharp population rise — 70 per cent of that population growth is between Ipswich City and Springfield Central.

Another resent housing development application submitted to the Ipswich City Council is the final stage of the Redbank Plains Eden’s Crossing Estate. Peet Limited is looking to build an additional 301 dwellings. Picture: Eden's Crossing/Facebook

The community’s most vulnerable members have bore the brunt of the housing crisis, which has left an arming number of teenagers without a place to call home, DV survivors with nowhere to turn, and flood victims living in tents.

Support service InCommunity saw the devastating effects of the housing crisis first hand, and CEO Paul Tommasini said demand for services increased by 650 per cent since 2020.

He said “hands down” the biggest challenge they were facing was housing shortage.

“Construction isn’t quick enough, there’s been a lot of talk over the years about what’s needed and now is the time rubber has to hit the road, the sound of construction needs to be louder than the sound of debate to get this happening,” he said.

Here’s a list of the Ipswich region’s latest housing development applications pending approval or public notification — some plans are extensions to pre-existing estates or entirely new:

• DEEBING HEIGHTS – 268 lots on 116ha

Location: 152-280 Grampian Drive

Applicant: Deebing Heights Land Partners Pty Ltd and SMEC Australian Pty Ltd

Application type lodged on Wednesday, October 5: Minor change to existing approval to reconfigure one lot into 268 lots, one parking lot, one park lot, balance lots, and three draining reserves.

Estimated project cost: $9m

• RIPLEY – 248 lots on 87.49ha

Location: 7002 Trigona Drive

Applicant: Goldfields Northern Pty Ltd and Saunders Havil Group

Application lodged on Wednesday, October 5: Change to a Priority Development Area approval. Reconfiguration of one lot into 248 residential lots, open space, new roads, and drainage.

• RIPLEY – 48 lots on 3hn

167 – 181 Binnies Road

Application: Gooday Investment Pty Ltd

Application lodged on Thursday, October 6: Three lots split into 48 residential lots.

• GOODNA – 191 lots (public notice)

Location: 288 and 290 Brisbane Terrace and 999 Broadfoot Drive

Company: Harburg Nominees Pty Ltd, ATF The TW Superfund, and North Group Consulting

Application first lodged on May 24, 2022: Reconfiguring three lots into 191 single residential dwelling lots, and common property.

• WALLOON – 63 lots (public notice)

Location: 120 Taylors Road

Company: ID Walloon Developments Pty Ltd and Tract Consultants

Application first lodged on December 20, 2021: Variation request for the development of one lot into 63 house lots and new roads.