OPINION: Here are the most popular stories from across the Ipswich region this week

News of Jude and Graham “Skroo” Turner’s vision for Grandchester was by far our most popular story this week. Here’s what else Ipswich people were reading.

The top stories from across Ipswich this week.

Glamping vision takes flight

By far our most popular story of the week was Lachlan McIvor’s piece on Jude and Graham “Skroo” Turner and their plans for a camping retreat out at Grandchester.

We are privileged to have such a naturally beautiful part of the world on our doorstep and this fact has obviously not been lost on the Turners.

The glamping thing is not for those who want to rough it, of course, but it does seem to be a particularly appealing idea for those who want to enjoy the wilderness without getting missing out on the creature comforts.

We will watch with interest as this development takes shape.

Rental crisis a sign of the times

We have known for a few months now that the rental market is barren, just how bad things are might come as a surprise to a lot of our readers.

You know things are bad when people are trying to outbid each other for rentals, or offer a year’s rent in advance in order to secure a place to live.

It seems almost unfathomable that people would go to such lengths, in fact you would have to wonder if it would be easier to buy a house.

Then again, house prices have also climbed significantly since the onset of Covid.

These are strange and worrying times.

A new stadium by any other name

The new Brisbane Lions stadium at Springfield has been on the cards for many years and now we are finally getting to see what was once a dream become reality.

This week we reported on the official dual naming of the facility.

Like Lang Park, the stadium will carry a geographical name in addition to a sponsor’s name.

I guess you would call that a win/win situation.

Lagoon costs are eye watering

We know Orion Lagoon has been enormously popular since opening six years ago, and there is no doubt it has been a great asset.

Let’s not forget it is free for all to use. You cannot complain about that.

When we recently asked Ipswich City Council for figures on the money spent maintaining public swimming pools, even we were shocked at how big the budget is for the Springfield lagoon.

The ratepayers of Ipswich can decide whether they get their money’s worth from Orion Lagoon to justify that expenditure. Your decision might come down to where you live.

One of the complaints I hear most often from readers is that too much money gets spent in the emerging suburbs like Springfield, while more established suburbs seem to be ignored.

While our aim is not to create a divide, I feel this story certainly does shed some light on this equation.

City trading a tough gig

You have to feel sympathy for Ipswich restaurant owner Raj Sharma.

He was hit by thieves again this week, and by the sounds of it his resilience is being tested.

Ipswich’s CBD and its tenacious traders are at a difficult time without having to deal with criminals.

Here is hoping the law or karma catches up with whoever was behind this latest break in.