Councillor Briefing and Workshop Session - 8 Sep 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• Ipswich waste policy review weighs costings and waste arriving from other areas
  Council’s third workshop on a major waste and circular-economy policy raised questions about costings and incoming waste volumes before the policy position is refined.
  Future waste services, disposal arrangements, charges and community consultation could be affected.
• Major Ipswich bridges, interchanges and bus projects put under TMR briefing spotlight
  Transport and Main Roads briefed Councillors on a broad pipeline of bridge, highway, interchange and bus projects affecting Ipswich and surrounding growth areas.
  The projects could affect congestion, freight routes, safety, development access and public transport connectivity.
• Ebbw Vale War Memorial faces repair or replacement after major damage
  Council is considering how to restore the Ebbw Vale War Memorial after the stone soldier’s head and gun-holding hand were removed.
  The decision affects preservation of a local memorial and community heritage site.

Decisions

• Waste policy review to be refined
  Councillors discussed the third workshop on the Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Policy Directive review, including draft principles, community engagement and costings. Officers will further refine the strategic policy position and provide an update on next steps.
  Future waste services, charges, waste volumes and community consultation may be affected, but no policy change was adopted at this meeting.
• Ebbw Vale War Memorial repair options considered
  Councillors discussed remediation or replacement options after significant damage to the memorial’s stone soldier, including removal of its head and the hand holding a gun. Feedback was provided on repair options.
  The memorial is expected to undergo repair or replacement works, preserving a local heritage and community landmark.

Discussion

• Waste and circular economy policy
  Workshop 3 considered updated draft principles and a proposed approach to community and stakeholder engagement. Councillors raised questions about costings and the volume of waste received from other areas.
  Residents may later be asked for input, and future policy settings could influence waste management services and costs.
• Transport infrastructure briefing
  The Department of Transport and Main Roads briefed Councillors on current and emerging transport matters, including bridge works, highway interchanges, development-area access and the Goodna bus interchange.
  The projects could affect travel times, road safety, freight movement, public transport access and development access across Ipswich.
• Strategic priorities
  September priorities included a regional sports facility and long-term waste disposal arrangements. Councillors discussed the associated strategic opportunities, risks and future direction.
  Both matters could influence future community facilities, service capacity and long-term waste arrangements, but no funding or final project decision was recorded.
• Ripley Valley PDA update
  Councillors received an update on the current status of the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area and discussed related challenges and opportunities.
  The update may inform future planning, infrastructure and development decisions in the Ripley Valley growth area.
• Ebbw Vale War Memorial damage
  Councillors considered the damage identified on 9 May 2026 and discussed repair or replacement approaches for the stone soldier.
  The outcome concerns the restoration of a prominent local memorial and community heritage asset.

Impacts

• No formal motions, committee recommendations, adopted policies, funding allocations or development approvals were recorded.
• Further work on waste policy may lead to later community engagement and potential changes to waste-management arrangements.
• Transport projects discussed may produce future changes to roads, interchanges, bridges and public transport infrastructure.
• Repair or replacement works are expected to address damage to the Ebbw Vale War Memorial.

Places

• Ipswich (city and local government area)
  The transport briefing covered matters relevant to Ipswich.
• Sinnathamby Boulevard (road and bridge project)
  Bridge duplication and bridge design requirements were discussed.
• Village 16 (development area)
  Access arrangements were discussed with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
• Warrego Highway (highway)
  Projects and intersections involving Haigslea Amberly Road, Schultz Road and Mount Crosby Road were discussed.
• David Trumpy Bridge (bridge and connection project)
  The Ipswich–Warrego Highway Connection Road was discussed.
• Ripley Development Area (growth area)
  The proposed Wensley Road Interchange on the Centenary Highway was discussed.
• Ripley Valley PDA (priority development area)
  Councillors received a status update on the development area.
• Ebbw Vale War Memorial (memorial)
  Repair or replacement options were discussed following significant damage.

Next

• Further refine the updated strategic policy position for the Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Policy Directive review.
  Following Workshop 3; timing not specified.
• Provide the Mayor and Councillors with an update on next steps for the waste policy review.
  Future update; timing not specified.
• Progress consideration of remediation or replacement options for the Ebbw Vale War Memorial.
  Future works; timing not specified.

Extract

8 SEPTEMBER 2026 COUNCILLOR BRIEFING AND WORKSHOP SESSION MEETING NO. 2026(19)] of 4 COUNCILLOR BRIEFING AND WORKSHOP SESSION MEETING NO. 2026(19) 8 SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT COUNCILLOR’S ATTENDANCE: Mayor Teresa Harding; Councillors Jacob Madsen, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic (via audio- link), Paul Tully (via audio-link), Marnie Doyle (via audio-link), Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Councillor Pye Augustine OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Environment and Sustainability (Kaye Cavanagh), General Manager Planning and Regulatory Services (Brett Davey), General Manager Community, Cultural and Economic Development (Be...