State money eyed off for critical development at Ipswich Ripley

Something big is in the works for Ripley — Ipswich council has held a special meeting to decide whether to tap into millions of state government funds set aside for development and urban infrastructure.

Ipswich City Council has held a special briefing to discuss tapping into $150 million of state government funds set aside for diverse and affordable housing.

The state government’s Catalyst Infrastructure Fund 2022 was created to help urban infrastructure keep pace with booming population growth.

The fund provides low-interest loans to councils, developers and industry, to build essential infrastructure within Priority Development Areas.

If the council makes a bid for the money it will be going into the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area, where the population is destined to hit 120,000 by 2025, with at least 50,000 new homes.

Vulnerable community members are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis, leaving an alarming number of young people without a place to call home.

No decision was made at the August 30 councillor briefing, which was not attended by councillors Paul Tully or Sheila Ireland.

Councillors raised potential issues and asked for more information on guidelines, funding available, and priorities for the state initiative.

Documents did not specify which councillors were seeking more detail but council said General Manager planning and regulatory services Peter Tabulo would seek clarification from the state government’s Economic Development Queensland on funding available to local governments.

“Specifically, whether the council is eligible to access developer contributions quarantined for the relevant Ripley Valley Priority Development Area infrastructure,” the document said.

Economic Development Queensland’s response is to be shared with councillors.