Council lays out vision for integrated transport system

Ipswich Council in South-East Queensland has endorsed a new strategy to advance the city’s transport network for the years ahead.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said since the city’s first integrated transport strategy was released nine years ago, the LGA’s population had grown by more than 75,000 creating new challenges for the network.

“With our population on track to grow from more than 265,000 to well over half a million by 2046, transport remains a critical issue for the people of Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.

Indeed, modelling shows about a 130 per cent increase in the number of trips to, from and within the city to nearly two million per day over the next 20 years. “This growth is not sustainable with existing transport options,” Mayor Harding said.

To realise the strategy’s aims, increased investment from other levels of government is urgently needed, infrastructure committee chair Cr Andrew Antoniolli said. “Our reliance on the car is unlikely to change without other levels of government partnering with council to invest in and deliver more sustainable transport options.”

“Delivering better outcomes cannot always rely on new or upgraded infrastructure and services,” he added.

Transport remains a critical issue for the people of Ipswich.

Council’s vision is for Ipswich to become a more walkable and rideable city that features additional footpath, bikeway and e-mobility infrastructure. “Enhancing these characteristics of our city can help create more vibrant places, where people can leave the car at home and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of walking or riding a bike,” Cr Antoniolli said.

The strategy also calls for better use of land around train stations, outlining the need for higher density residential developments in these areas. “This will enable more people to have easy access to public transport and reduce park-and-ride demand,” Cr Antoniolli said.

The strategy’s priorities are clear, Mayor Harding said. “We want our residents to have more choice when it comes to transport and our neighbourhoods, suburbs and communities to be connected, easily accessible and sustainable.”