Community and Sport Committee - 16 Jun 2026 10 minutes after the conclusion of the Finance and Governance Committee or such later time as determined by the preceding committee

Topics

• North Ipswich Reserve Masterplan advances towards workshop and athletics briefing
  Council moved the North Ipswich Reserve project into the next phase with a workshop and technical briefing on athletics track options.
  This could influence major sporting infrastructure and future access to facilities for local residents and clubs.
• Council weighs community and school sport fees review
  The committee discussed proposed fee differences for school sport and arranged further consultation and comparison work.
  Fee changes can affect schools, clubs and the cost of using local sport facilities.

Decisions

• Leave of absence granted for Mayor Teresa Harding
  A leave of absence was granted for the Mayor for this committee meeting.
  No direct service impact, but it affected committee attendance and governance for the meeting.
• Community and Sport Committee minutes confirmed
  The minutes of the 19 May 2026 meeting were confirmed.
  Administrative confirmation only; no direct change for residents.
• Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee recommendations adopted
  Council adopted the recommendations of the Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee No. 2026(03) of 28 May 2026.
  Supports ongoing decisions on sport and recreation matters affecting local facilities and pricing.
• Fee and charges presentation received and noted
  The committee received and noted the presentation on fees and charges for community and school sport, including comparison work and planned consultation.
  May affect what schools and sporting groups pay to use sporting facilities.
• Ipswich Cricket proposal received and noted
  The committee received and noted the proposal relating to Ipswich Cricket and the Ivor Marsden site, including advice that funding could be sought through council's community grant channels.
  Relevant to cricket users and any future planning or funding for the Ivor Marsden sporting precinct.
• North Ipswich Reserve Masterplan workshop and briefing to be scheduled
  A councillor workshop on the North Ipswich Reserve Masterplan was to be scheduled, and a technical report on athletics track options was to go to a future briefing session.
  Could influence the future design and use of North Ipswich Reserve and its athletics facilities.

Discussion

• Community and school sport fees and charges
  The committee discussed proposed differences in fees and charges for schools using sport facilities, with comparative council fee information and further consultation to follow.
  May affect school sport costs and access to council-managed sporting venues.
• Ipswich Cricket (Ivor Marsden) proposal
  The committee considered a proposal for a Master Plan for Ivor Marsden and noted that Cricket Ipswich had been advised about community grant funding options.
  Important for cricket participation, facility planning and possible funding pathways.
• North Ipswich Reserve Masterplan
  Updated potential configurations were presented and discussed, with a workshop and technical athletics track report planned.
  Could shape future sporting infrastructure and community access at North Ipswich Reserve.

Impacts

• Possible changes to fees paid by schools and community sporting groups for field use.
• Future planning decisions may affect the design and athletics options at North Ipswich Reserve.
• Cricket Ipswich may pursue funding for planning work related to Ivor Marsden.
• Further consultation on tenure and fees suggests more stakeholder input before any final changes.

Places

• North Ipswich Reserve (sports reserve / project area)
  Subject of masterplan updates, workshop scheduling and athletics track options.
• Ivor Marsden (sporting facility / site)
  Associated with the Ipswich Cricket proposal and potential master plan work.
• Ipswich (local government area)
  The broader area referenced for community and school sport fees and service settings.

Next

• Schedule a councillor workshop on the North Ipswich Reserve Masterplan
  Future date to be arranged
• Submit a technical report on athletics track options to a councillor briefing session
  Upcoming briefing session
• Distribute comparative sports field fees from other councils to all councillors
  As actioned by officers
• Continue consultation with elected representatives, schools and community sporting groups on fees and tenure options
  During the ongoing review process

Extract

16 JUNE 2026 COMMUNITY AND SPORT COMMITTEE NO. 2026(05)] of 5 COMMUNITY AND SPORT COMMITTEE NO. 2026(05) 16 JUNE 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Jacob Madsen (Chairperson); Councillors Pye Augustine (Deputy Chairperson), Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Mayor Teresa Harding and Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Planning and Regulatory Services (Brett Davey), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), General Manager Environment and Sustainability (Kaye Cavanagh), Manager Marketing and Promotions (Carly Gregory), Manager Media, Communications and Eng...