Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee - 15 Oct 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• Spring Lake Park public toilet to proceed despite opposition petition
  Council has decided to proceed with the proposed public toilet after considering a petition against it.
  The decision directly affects park users and residents who petitioned council, while a further safety and amenity assessment is also planned.
• $300,000-$400,000 Silver Jubilee Park sports-field upgrade remains unfunded
  Council identified a preferred playing-field rehabilitation program but has no approved funding to deliver it.
  Sports users face an uncertain timetable and possible future closures while council develops scope and seeks funding.
• Bill Paterson Oval athletics upgrade moves to further investigation
  Council considered competing rectification options for Bill Paterson Oval, with further design and funding work proposed.
  The oval's future standard, availability and potential closures matter to athletics organisations and the wider sporting community.

Decisions

• Spring Lake Park public toilet facility
  Council resolved to proceed with the proposed public toilet facility at Spring Lake Park, Springfield Lakes, despite a petition opposing it. Council will also assess the park for opportunities to improve community safety and amenity, and advise the chief petitioner of the outcome.
  The facility is proceeding and further safety and amenity improvements will be considered at the park.
• Riverheart Parklands Green Seat Project
  Council approved the Division 3 Missing Matter – The Green Seat Project within Riverheart Parklands, Ipswich, for $1,500, progressing it to design and construction under the Capital Investment in Provisional Projects Policy.
  A small local improvement will receive council funding and proceed to delivery.
• Silver Jubilee Park playing-field rehabilitation
  The committee considered Option 2, an enhanced maintenance, soil recovery and turf improvement program, as the preferred rehabilitation option. The estimated cost is approximately $300,000 to $400, but no approved funding currently exists. Further scoping, irrigation assessment, procurement activity and cost verification are required before works could begin, subject to future funding approval.
  The playing fields may require future closures or changes to use, and delivery is dependent on a future budget decision.
• Bill Paterson Oval rectification
  The committee considered further investigation and design work for rectification of Bill Paterson Oval, including options to meet grass athletics-track standards. The available extract records a proposed amendment favouring Options 2 or 3 and future capital-program funding, but does not show a final resolution.
  Further works, funding and potential oval closures remain subject to investigation and a later budget decision.
• Draft State Planning Policy 2026 submission
  Council received and noted its submission on the draft State Planning Policy 2026, which was open for public consultation until 26 October 2026. The submission addressed proposed changes to state interests, strategic aspirations and assessment benchmarks.
  The policy changes may affect future planning-scheme requirements and development assessment across the city.

Discussion

• Silver Jubilee Park playing fields
  An independent agronomic assessment identified issues involving soil and substrate condition, drainage, turf suitability and irrigation. The preferred rehabilitation approach is expected to cost about $300,000 to $400, with an indicative delivery period of approximately 12 months from funding approval.
  Users of the two rectangular fields may be affected by future works, field closures and changes to sporting access.
• Ipswich Athletics Facility and Bill Paterson Oval
  Council considered the cost and scope of works needed to improve Bill Paterson Oval to standards required by Ipswich District Athletics and Ipswich Little Athletics. Further investigation and design were proposed to inform future capital funding.
  Athletics groups and other oval users may face access restrictions while options and funding are assessed.
• Spring Lake Park petition
  A petition opposing the proposed public toilet facility was considered, but council resolved to proceed with the facility and undertake a further park safety and amenity assessment.
  Residents who signed or supported the petition will receive advice on the outcome, while the facility remains part of the park plans.
• Capital project assessment
  The committee approved a provisional project under council's capital investment policy: the $1,500 Green Seat Project at Riverheart Parklands.
  The project provides a funded public-space improvement in Division 3.

Impacts

• The Spring Lake Park public toilet project will proceed despite a petition opposing it.
• Silver Jubilee Park playing-field rehabilitation is not currently funded and will require a future budget decision before works can commence.
• Bill Paterson Oval rectification remains subject to further investigation, design and funding consideration; access and closure arrangements will require consultation.
• A $1,500 improvement project will proceed at Riverheart Parklands.
• Council's submission on the draft State Planning Policy 2026 may influence future planning and development rules.

Places

• Silver Jubilee Park, Spring Mountain (park and sporting fields)
  Site of proposed rehabilitation works for two rectangular playing fields.
• Bill Paterson Oval (sporting oval)
  Site of proposed athletics-track rectification and further investigation.
• Ipswich Athletics Facility (sporting facility)
  Related to standards and requirements for Bill Paterson Oval.
• Spring Lake Park, Springfield Lakes (park)
  Location of the proposed public toilet facility and further safety and amenity assessment.
• Riverheart Parklands, Ipswich (parklands)
  Location of the approved Green Seat Project.
• Division 3 (council division)
  Division containing the approved Riverheart Parklands provisional project.

Next

• Undertake further detailed scoping, irrigation assessment, procurement activities and cost verification for the Silver Jubilee Park rehabilitation option if funding is approved.
  Before any rehabilitation works commence; indicative delivery is approximately 12 months from funding approval.
• Identify a funding source and consider Silver Jubilee Park rehabilitation through a future budget amendment, capital works allocation or other approved funding mechanism.
  Future budget deliberations.
• Continue investigation and design activities for Bill Paterson Oval rectification and consider required funding.
  During preparation of future capital-program budgets.
• Continue consultation with relevant stakeholders about access to and closure of Bill Paterson Oval.
  As rectification options are developed.
• Undertake a further assessment of Spring Lake Park for community safety and park amenity opportunities, and advise the chief petitioner of the petition outcome.
  Following the committee decision.
• Progress the Green Seat Project from approval to design and construction.
  Under the Capital Investment in Provisional Projects Policy.

Extract

15 OCTOBER 2026 INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ASSETS COMMITTEE NO. 2026(08)] of 11 INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ASSETS COMMITTEE NO. 2026(08) 15 OCTOBER 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Andrew Antoniolli (Chairperson); Councillors Paul Tully (Deputy Chairperson), Mayor Teresa Harding, Pye Augustine, Marnie Doyle, David Martin, Jim Madden and Jacob Madsen (Observer – via audio-link) COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Planning and Regulatory Services (Brett Davey), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), General...