community services · Ipswich City Council
Ipswich Council rejects solar lighting for Cameron Park playground
Ipswich City Council refused a petition for solar lighting at Cameron Park playground in Booval, citing network consistency, light spill and anti-social behaviour concerns.
Ipswich City Council has knocked back a petition for solar lighting at the new Cameron Park playground in Booval, with councillors voting on the issue at the Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee meeting on 21 April 2026.
The petition was lodged by Mrs Josephine Hutt on behalf of residents of Division 3. It asked for solar lighting at the playground within Cameron Park.
Councillors refused the request because Council does not have any other playgrounds lit across the public park network. They also raised concerns that light spill to nearby residents could be prevalent, and that anti-social behaviour and unwanted attention could be exacerbated.
The committee said lighting playgrounds does not form part of the Desired Standard of Service for new parks.
The resolution said the request to install solar lighting for the playground in Cameron Park, Booval, was not supported, and the chief petitioner would be advised of the outcome. Councillor Andrew Antoniolli moved the recommendation, Councillor David Martin seconded it, and Councillor Paul Tully abstained. The motion was carried.
The committee also endorsed Amendment Package 1 to the Ipswich City Plan 2025 for consideration by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. That package followed public consultation that drew eight submissions, all relating to two proposed local heritage listings.
Council asked for further clarification about the previous condition and heritage values of 81 East Street, and said any DSDIP-required administrative amendments would be made before final adoption.
The same meeting also received and noted the status of current Planning and Environment Court actions linked to development planning applications. In general business, councillors recorded a technical issue with the Development.i platform.
The committee met on 21 April 2026, starting at 9.04am and closing at 9.39am.
Reference minutes
Based on the Ipswich City Council Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee minutes of 21 April 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ipswich City Council’s Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee met on 21 April 2026.
- The committee refused a petition for solar lighting at the new playground in Cameron Park, Booval.
- The petition was submitted by Mrs Josephine Hutt on behalf of residents of Division 3.
- Councillors cited lack of precedent across the public park network, light spill to nearby residents, possible anti-social behaviour and consistency with the Desired Standard of Service for new parks.
- Councillor Paul Tully abstained from the vote, and the motion was carried.
- The committee also endorsed Amendment Package 1 to the Ipswich City Plan 2025 for State Government consideration.
- Eight submissions were received on the planning amendment, all relating to two proposed local heritage listings.
Why it matters
- The refusal leaves Cameron Park playground without lighting through this petition process and sets out Council’s position on lighting requests across its park network.