Advocacy Advisory Committee - 6 Oct 2026 2:00 PM

Topics

• Ipswich cultural venues added to regional funding advocacy list
  The Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Civic Centre have been endorsed for the Regionally Significant Project list.
  The designation positions two major civic and cultural facilities for future state and federal funding advocacy, although no funding commitment was made.
• Ipswich City Centre Bikeway gains local advocacy priority
  The committee agreed to place the Ipswich City Centre Bikeway on Council’s Locally Significant Project list.
  The listing may strengthen advocacy for cycling and active transport funding, but the minutes record no construction date or funding allocation.
• Council seeks next step on Ipswich Second River Crossing business case
  The Chief Executive Officer has been asked to advise councillors on progressing the project’s Detailed Business Case.
  The advice could clarify whether the major transport proposal is moving towards a more advanced planning stage.

Decisions

• Projects added to advocacy lists
  The committee agreed that the Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Civic Centre be included on the Regionally Significant Project list, and that the Ipswich City Centre Bikeway be included on the Locally Significant Project list.
  The listings are intended to support future state and federal funding advocacy for cultural facilities and active transport infrastructure.
• State Budget measures noted
  The committee noted State Budget 2026–2027 measures relevant to local government and the Ipswich region.
  The budget measures may affect future government funding opportunities for local projects and services.

Discussion

• Active transport funding
  The General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services was asked to provide councillors with a summary of funding opportunities and timing for active transport projects.
  This could inform the timing and funding prospects of cycling and walking improvements, including the Ipswich City Centre Bikeway.
• Ipswich Second River Crossing
  The Chief Executive Officer was asked to provide advice on progressing the Ipswich Second River Crossing Detailed Business Case.
  Further business-case work may clarify the next stage of planning for a major transport connection.
• 2028 advocacy preparation
  The committee considered preparation for future advocacy, including project submissions and funding opportunities.
  Future advocacy may shape which Ipswich projects are presented to state and federal governments for support.
• Woollen Mills site
  The Chief Executive Officer was asked to provide councillors with a briefing note about the Woollen Mills site.
  The briefing may provide further information about the site and its future, but no outcome was recorded in the extracted material.

Impacts

• The Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Civic Centre will be promoted as regionally significant projects for government advocacy.
• The Ipswich City Centre Bikeway will be promoted as a locally significant project.
• No funding allocation, construction commitment or project delivery date was recorded in the extracted material.
• Further advice is expected on active transport funding, the Second River Crossing business case and the Woollen Mills site.

Places

• Ipswich (city and region)
  The meeting considered projects and State Budget measures relevant to the Ipswich region.
• Ipswich Art Gallery (cultural facility)
  Included on the Regionally Significant Project list.
• Ipswich Civic Centre (cultural facility)
  Included on the Regionally Significant Project list.
• Ipswich City Centre Bikeway (active transport project)
  Included on the Locally Significant Project list.
• Woollen Mills site (site)
  Subject of a requested briefing note to councillors.

Next

• Economic Development Manager to provide Regionally Significant Submission and State Budget Submission reports.
  For consideration at the next Advocacy Advisory Committee meeting.
• General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services to provide councillors with a summary of active transport funding opportunities and timing.
  Timing not specified.
• Chief Executive Officer to provide advice on progressing the Ipswich Second River Crossing Detailed Business Case.
  Timing not specified.
• Chief Executive Officer to provide councillors with a briefing note on the Woollen Mills site.
  Timing not specified.

Extract

6 OCTOBER 2026 UNCONFIRMED ADVOCACY ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(04)] of 6 UNCONFIRMED ADVOCACY ADVISORY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(04) 6 OCTOBER 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Mayor Teresa Harding (Chairperson); Councillors Marnie Doyle (Deputy Chairperson), Pye Augustine, David Martin, Andrew Antoniolli (via audio-link) and Jim Madden COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Community, Cultural and Economic Development (Ben Pole), Economic Development Manager (Dan Heenan), Senior Project Officer – Major Projects (Sibel Gradinscak), Manager Infrastructure Strategy (Tony Dileo), Principal Transport Planner (...