Newly-approved Ebbw Vale business hub set to boost employment in Ipswich

A huge block of land nestled between two busy highways, which is currently vacant except for four homes, is set to be transformed into a bustling business hub that will boost local employment. SEE THE PLANS

Four homes will soon be demolished to make way for a huge new commercial development which is set to boost local employment in a booming Ipswich suburb.

Applicant DJS (Qld) Pty Ltd proposed to build two commercial buildings — one 2180m2 in size and the other 5012m2 — on 3.29ha of land at 74 Brisbane Rd, Ebbw Vale for the purpose of ‘bulky goods sales’.

The subject site consists of 16 DJS-owned lots which are mostly unimproved by development, except for four homes which will be demolished before construction of the commercial buildings begins.

The subject site of the Ebbw Vale commercial development planned for 74 Brisbane Rd.

It is bordered by the Ipswich-Rosewood railway line to the north and Brisbane Rd to the south with easy access via the Warrego and Cunningham Hwys and the Ipswich Motorway.

Plans submitted to Ipswich City Council in October last year indicated the first stage of the development would include a two-storey building with a gross floor area of 2180m2, as well as 81 carparks and six bicycle parks.

Stage two of the development will include a second two-storey building with a gross floor area of 5012m2 and an additional 71 carparks and six bicycle parks.

An artist's impression of the first building to be constructed at 74 Brisbane Rd, Ebbw Vale.

While details of the goods to be kept at the premises are not yet public, the buildings will be used “for the sale, or displaying or offering for sale, by retail of bulky goods”, which could mean floor coverings and titles, furniture, domestic appliances, or building and construction materials.

“The proposed bulky goods sales development is considered to be the highest and best use for the site and is an efficient use of constrained land within Ipswich,” DJS stated in its application.

“There is limited existing commercial development with Ebbw Vale, with the closest commercial centre being located in Booval.

A commercial development use is seen to be the most logical use for the site, as it provides amenity to the residents of Ebbw Vale and creates employment opportunities within a growing suburb.”

The council-approved plan for the 74 Brisbane Rd, Ebbw Vale commercial development.

In its approval of DJS’ application, Ipswich City Council stated the business must only operate at the premises between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 6pm Saturday and Sunday.

DJS must also provide a minimum of 101 carparking spaces, construct an acoustic barrier, and store all trade materials, products, and plant within the confines of the buildings or approved storage areas.

The design of the development is set to include “landmark features” in the form of screen towers at the end of each building which are intended to provide a “point of difference” from a nearby industrial warehouse.

An egress access point will be constructed from the site to Brisbane Rd, along with a temporary driveway.

Originally published as Newly-approved Ebbw Vale business hub set to boost employment in Ipswich