Article: Ipswich's billion dollar makeover

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Ipswich's billion dollar makeover

Ipswich's billion dollar makeover
Dan Nancarrow
December 15, 2010 - 4:10PM

A $1 billion redevelopment of Ipswich's city centre aims to attract commercial and government tenants, cutting down on the 17,000 people who commute to Brisbane each day.

The Ipswich City Properties awarded the project to developer Leighton Properties today following a competitive tender process.

The development aims to revitalise the retail and commercial core of the city with a 55,000 square metre shopping centre, an office precinct and residential properties to house up to 1000 people.

It will be surrounded by new riverfront public space, including car parking and a library.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said drawing commercial and government offices away from Brisbane would reduce the amount of people travelling to Brisbane for work.

"By us taking away some of the congestion to Brisbane we're going to be part of the solution for southeast Queensland rather than part of the problem," he said.

Ipswich council properties chairman Paul Tully said the project would become a focus for decentralisation of commercial and government offices "in the same way Parramatta serves Sydney".

"This project firmly positions Ipswich as the major regional centre to service the western corridor," he said.

Work is expected to begin on the project by the end of next year, with the entire development expected to be finished by 2016.

According to Leighton Properties a "significant component" of the project would be delivered within five years, with up to 800 workers employed during the period.

Leighton executive director and state manager Andrew Borger said the company planned on creating a vibrant city centre.

"We're looking forward to delivering the flagship redevelopment that will not only generate economic, cultural and recreational opportunities for Ipswich but it will also be the catalyst to ignite major demand for retailing, offices and inner-city living," he said.

The company said there had already been interest in the project from "key major retailers".

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Revamped station plans scrapped

Revamped station plans scrapped

Zane Jackson | 17th December 2010

BUILDING a revamped Ipswich train station as part of the $1 billion redevelopment of the mall was being considered by the State Government before the idea was scrapped.

Ipswich MP and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the possibility of moving the train station to underneath the mall had been previously discussed.

"There was really dedicated consideration given on the part of both Queensland Rail and the council to the idea of integrating the station into the redevelopment – putting it under the mall," Ms Nolan said.

"There was discussion about that but it wasn't a practical thing to do."

She said such a plan would have been too expensive and prohibitive to rail services, so the current station will remain untouched in the coming years as the redevelopment occurs straight across the road.

"The train station is not directly affected by the redevelopment," she said.

Ms Nolan said October's announcement of a $2.6 million refurbishment of Bell Street's bus facilities will not be affected by the mall redevelopment work.

Work on the Bell Street upgrade is due to start early in the new year.

Ipswich City Properties (ICP), a company set up by the Ipswich City Council, on Wednesday unveiled its masterplan for the redevelopment of the mall.

Ms Nolan said the State Government was negotiating with ICP and partner Leighton Properties to have 1200 public service jobs moved into commercial buildings in the redeveloped mall.

The first part of the 15-year project will start construction next year with a commercial tower one of the first buildings expected to be up and running.

QR has committed to moving its headquarters to Ipswich and Ms Nolan said should it move into the redeveloped mall, it would make up a large chunk of the 1200 jobs.

Some water bodies could also be on the move to Ipswich.

"What we hope to do is make the move cooperatively. We'll work with staff and unions to move them across here," Ms Nolan said.

[SteelPan]

A worthy concept and I wish those involved every success.

Sadly, I fear this has been tried before, with no success.  I visted Central Ipswich earlier this year, for the first time in many years and it is clearly struggling.

Careful thought must be given to any makeover - just replicating the endless "mass mall" concepts that pass for development these days, may not be enough!

[ozbob]

Few random photographs around Ipswich











Photographs R Dow 20th December 2010