Council - 26 Mar 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• Council rejects Jones Road crossing but backs footpath option
  Residents asked for a pedestrian crossing near the Redbank Plains Scout Den, but council refused the crossing and instead backed a priority investigation into a concrete footpath.
  This directly affects pedestrian safety and access in Bellbird Park and Redbank Plains.
• Waste fleet maintenance contract grows to $12.6 million
  Council approved a major increase and extension to its Volvo waste vehicle servicing contract, lifting the likely spend to about $12.623 million and extending it to 2035.
  Waste collection is a core service and the contract change signals rising operational costs.
• Council backs public transport corridor business case
  Council agreed to progress the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor to a Detailed Business Case and will continue advocating for funding.
  This is a key step in a long-running transport project that could shape future commuting options.

Decisions

• Jones Road pedestrian crossing petition response
  Council did not support installing a pedestrian crossing on Jones Road, Bellbird Park, citing speed limit, road function, safety and infrastructure constraints. Council instead agreed to investigate a concrete footpath on the western side of Jones Road from Harris Street to the Redbank Plains Scout Hut, and to advise the chief petitioner.
  Affects how pedestrians move around Bellbird Park and the Redbank Plains Scout Hut area, with a footpath investigation instead of a crossing.
• Dog bowl installation in Queens Park
  Council approved a provisional project to install a dog bowl outside the Ipswich Nature Centre in Queens Park, Ipswich, with a budget of $3,000.
  Small amenity improvement for park users and visitors to the nature centre.
• Disposal of land interests to Energex
  Council resolved that an exception applies under the Local Government Regulation 2012 for several land interests to be disposed of to adjoining road for Energex Limited, and approved disposal for a nominal fee of $5,000 excluding GST.
  Supports electricity infrastructure-related land dealings affecting multiple residential areas.
• Willowbank electricity easement with Energex
  Council approved an easement agreement over part of land at 133 Champions Way, Willowbank for electricity supply purposes and delegated authority to the CEO to negotiate and finalise terms.
  Facilitates electricity works in Willowbank.
• Contestable site electricity procurement
  Council decided to use the Local Buy LGA arrangement for electricity procurement for small contestable sites, with an estimated contract value of $3.4 million over about three years to 31 August 2029, and delegated contractual implementation powers to the CEO.
  Affects Council electricity purchasing and may influence operating costs passed through to services and rates indirectly.
• Volvo waste vehicle maintenance contract varied
  Council approved increasing the Volvo waste vehicle maintenance contract from $9.3 million to about $12.623 million and extending expiry from 31 May 2032 to 30 June 2035.
  Impacts the servicing of waste collection vehicles and the continuity of rubbish collection operations.
• Sport and community advisory recommendations adopted
  Council adopted recommendations from the Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Libraries and Customer Services Advisory Committee.
  Supports ongoing community sport, library and customer service planning.
• Event sponsorships and allocations noted
  Council approved $50,000 over three years for Spartan AUS 3.0 for OCR World Championships and Spartan Trifecta Weekend events, and noted multiple sponsorship allocations including Springfield Christmas Carols, Ipswich Show, Pacific Action Sports, GTR Events and Australian Karting Association Limited.
  Provides funding support for community events and major event tourism activity in Ipswich.
• Environment and sustainability petition response
  Council received and noted a petition from the Ipswich Climate Action Group, reaffirmed its Sustainability Strategy 2021-2026 actions, and agreed to continue community engagement for the 2026-2027 strategy review.
  Residents can expect ongoing climate and sustainability initiatives and consultation.
• Ipswich to Springfield Central public transport corridor
  Council supported progressing the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor project to a Detailed Business Case and added an advocacy commitment for the project and required funding.
  Important for future transport planning and public transport access between Ipswich and Springfield Central.
• Council of Mayors delegation approval
  Council approved Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic’s participation in the Council of Mayors (SEQ) International Delegation to the 2026 World Cities Summit in Singapore.
  Primarily governance and external representation, with limited direct resident impact.
• Representation on electorate boundaries submission
  Council supported a submission on electorate boundary issues, with added wording to include the whole suburb of Spring Mountain in the proposed Springfield electorate if the submission is accepted.
  Could affect state electoral representation for residents in Ripley, South Ripley and Spring Mountain.

Discussion

• Road safety and pedestrian access on Jones Road
  The meeting considered a petition about a pedestrian crossing near the Redbank Plains Scout Den and instead directed investigation of a footpath solution on the western side of Jones Road.
  Likely to affect pedestrians in Bellbird Park and nearby school/scout users.
• Waste services fleet maintenance costs
  Council approved a sizeable increase and extension to the Volvo waste vehicle servicing contract.
  Relevant to the reliability and cost of waste collection services.
• Public transport corridor planning
  Council backed the next stage of work on the Ipswich to Springfield Central corridor via a Detailed Business Case.
  Important for long-term transport connectivity and possible future funding decisions.
• Sustainability strategy implementation
  Council received a petition and recommitted to the current sustainability strategy and future review process.
  Affects environmental policy direction and community engagement.

Impacts

• Bellbird Park and Redbank Plains residents may see a footpath proposal progress instead of a pedestrian crossing on Jones Road.
• Queens Park visitors will gain a small new dog amenity near the Ipswich Nature Centre.
• Ipswich waste collection operations are likely to continue under an extended Volvo maintenance arrangement.
• Community groups and event organisers may benefit from continued sponsorship support for local events.
• Residents using or advocating for public transport may see further planning work on the Ipswich to Springfield Central corridor.
• Climate and sustainability groups will be able to engage in the next strategy review cycle.

Places

• Jones Road (road)
  Location of the petition about a pedestrian crossing and proposed footpath investigation.
• Bellbird Park (suburb)
  Area affected by the Jones Road petition response and nearby land dealings.
• Redbank Plains Scout Hut (facility)
  Endpoint of the proposed concrete footpath investigation.
• Queens Park (park)
  Site of the approved dog bowl outside the Ipswich Nature Centre.
• Ipswich Nature Centre (facility)
  Location for the new dog bowl installation.
• Willowbank (locality)
  Site of the electricity easement at 133 Champions Way.
• Ipswich to Springfield Central corridor (transport project area)
  Public transport corridor taken forward to Detailed Business Case.
• Spring Mountain (suburb)
  Mentioned in the electorate boundary submission.

Next

• Investigate a concrete footpath on the western side of Jones Road from Harris Street to the Redbank Plains Scout Hut.
  As a matter of priority
• Advise the chief petitioner of the Jones Road crossing decision and footpath investigation.
  Following the meeting
• Progress the Queens Park dog bowl project to design and construction.
  After approval
• Finalise Energex easement and land disposal arrangements through the CEO delegation.
  As required after resolution
• Progress the Ipswich to Springfield Central corridor to Detailed Business Case stage.
  Next project phase
• Include community input in the 2026-2027 review and update of the Sustainability Strategy.
  During 2026-2027

Extract

of 24 MINUTES OF COUNCIL ORDINARY MEETING 26 MARCH 2026 Held in the Council Chambers, Administration Building 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich The meeting commenced at 9.15 am 1.ATTENDANCE AT COMMENCEMENT Mayor Teresa Harding (Chairperson); Councillors Jacob Madsen, Pye Augustine, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Paul Tully, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden ADJOURN MEETING RECOMMENDATION Moved by Mayor Teresa Harding: Seconded by Councillor Paul Tully: That the meeting be adjourned at 9.15 am to reconvene at 9.25 am. AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE Councillors: Councillors: Harding Nil Madsen Augustine Jonic Tully Doyle Antoniolli Martin Madden The motion was put and carried. The meeti...