Darrell Giles October 2, 2020
Proposed Ipswich-Springfield public transport corridor
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has welcomed a $1 million funding commitment towards the next stage of the options analysis for the Ipswich to Springfield public transport corridor by the Palaszczuk Government.
In a joint statement by local State Government members, Jennifer Howard (Ipswich), Jim Madden (Ipswich West), Lance McCallum (Bundamba) and Charis Mullen (Jordan) part-funding was committed to progress the proposed 25km public transport corridor between Ipswich and Springfield via the booming Ripley community.
“This is great news for all of Ipswich and is a significant step on the journey to securing a game-changing transport infrastructure project in South East Queensland for our booming high growth city.”
Mayor Harding said 70 per cent of the city’s population growth – 500,000 by 2040 – will occur between Ipswich and Springfield and this public transport corridor will help to ensure access to the booming suburbs in Greater Springfield, Ripley and Deebing Heights.
“Ipswich is the fastest-growing region in Queensland, with an annual population growth rate of 4.1 per cent – 3 per cent above the state and national averages,” she said.
Mayor Harding said a corridor, with up to nine new stations between Ipswich Central and Springfield Central stations, would support quicker trips to and from Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. “A dedicated connection between Ipswich and Springfield, which will dove-tail into the SEQ Council of Mayors’ fast rail network proposal, will provide unprecedented accessibility for our residents.
Early iterations of the business case for the project indicate that the development of the corridor would provide a catalyst to mixed-used land outcomes, including the potential to encourage economic hubs and enhanced service provision along the corridor, providing residents with employment and service accessibility opportunities, and local business with investment opportunities in close proximity to a large residential workforce.
Potential stations on the route include:
* The University of Southern Queensland Ipswich campus
* Berry Street, Churchill
* Yamanto
* Deebing South
* Ripley North
* Ripley Town Centre
* Swanbank
* School Road, Redbank Plains
* Keidges Road, Augustine Heights