Ipswich City Council
Edition 12 ~ Oct 2012
Planning and
Development
Update
New Flood and Rainfall Gauges
Upgrade to Flood
Monitoring System
Ipswich City Council has commenced
a project to upgrade its flood and
rainfall monitoring system across the
city. Council plans to install a number
of rainfall only alert stations as well as
stream and rainfall alert stations.
City Infrastructure Committee Chair,
Councillor Cheryl Bromage, said
that the new locations included
Ripley, Six Mile Creek, Goodna Creek,
• Mayor’s Message
• Message from the Chair
• Strategic Planning News
in this edition
• Heritage Award for Council
• Development News
• Fast Track Applications
• Honouring Our Heroes
• Joseph Brady Park Reopens
• River Heart Parklands Stage 2
• Sizzler Restaurant to Expand
Grandchester, Rosewood, Redbank
Plains, Thagoona and Washpool.
“Installing these stream / rainfall alert
stations will enhance Council’s flood
warning systems and provide Council
with more information to draw upon
during flooding situations,” she said.
Tenders have been called for the
project.
“Ipswich City Council owns and
operates a network of stream and
rainfall alert stations throughout the
Ipswich region. Council’s regional
alert station network links into the
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) flood
telemetry system, which the BoM
use to provide flood and weather
warnings to the general public and
other Councils.”
Cr Bromage said the new stations
would ensure additional flood
warning systems were in place
throughout the City.
“This is another example of Council
improving its flood prepardedness in
light of the extreme weather events of
recent years.”
Cr Bromage said information obtained
from these alert stations could also
provide data for incorporation in
future revised Australian rainfall and
run off publications.
“The data produced will also help
us to better plan for the future by
providing average rainfall figures
and stream heights over a wider
area. Historical knowledge and
observations from previous large
rainfall / flooding events in the region
and future development areas will
provide a better basis for long term
planning.”
Cr Bromage said as part of the
ongoing partnership, Council
would engage the Ipswich Rivers
Improvement Trust (IRIT) to project
manage the installation of the new
stream and rainfall alert stations.
“Through these new stations Council
will be well placed to assist in the
provision of data for future flood
warnings throughout the City.”
• New Child Care Centre for
Goodna
• Re-use of Character Home
• New Autobarn for Bellbird
Park
• Staff Profile - Nicole Yiannou
• Staff Profile - Dannielle Owen
• Pregnancy Club Update
• Heritage Committee Members
Appointed
• Studio 188 - old Baptist
Church
• Ipswich’s Heritage
• A Look Into Our Past
• Main Contacts
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
1
Mayor’s Message
This edition of our Planning and
Development Update Newsletter
showcases the opening of a number
of very important community
facilities.
Joseph Brady Park at Karalee has
reopened following the devastation
of the 2011 flood and in a number
of ways it is even better than it was
before the flood (see article
Page 6). Work is also forging ahead
on the reconstruction of the Colleges
Crossing Parklands - one of the most
affected places from the January 2011
inundation.
A brand new park has opened in the
Ipswich City Centre with the extension
of the River Heart parklands along
King Edward Parade to Bob Gamble
Park (see article Page 7). The new
water features within the park have
proven to be extremely popular with
the arrival of our warm weather.
The new ‘Studio 188’ in the former
Baptist Church (see article Page
11) offers an amazing cutting edge
performing arts complex, particularly
targetted at youth engagement in the
Top of Town Precinct in the Ipswich
CBD.
Each of these sites offer not only
highly sort after community facilities
but also strongly complement other
Council initiatives towards flood
restoration, community building and
economic revitalisation.
Mayor Paul Pisasale
City of Ipswich
Message from the Chair
In the company of our City Planner
and staff from the Strategic Planning
Branch, I was proud to recently
receive an award from the National
Trust of Queensland for our adaptive
reuse guidelines for character places
(see article Page 3). These guidelines
have been kindly described by former
Queensland National Trust President
John Jackson as ‘the next standard
bearer for local government heritage
conservation in Queensland’.
The latest edition of Planning and
Development Update includes lots of
interesting information on:•
a new fast track process for well
made, low risk development
applications (Page 5);
Wintergarden Theatre 1979
Source: Picture Ipswich
•
honouring our Defence Force
Heroes, through the naming
of ‘Heroes Way’ at the main
entrance to RAAF Base Amberley
(Page 5);
•
profiling a broad range of
development activity througout
the City (Pages 4 - 8);
•
the re-establishment of the
Ipswich Heritage Consultative
Committee and Monuments and
Memorials Committee (Page 10);
and
•
historical information about our
City’s past (Pages 12 - 16).
On a lighter note, the pregnancy
‘epidemic’ continues in the Planning
and Development Department with
further new announcements on
Page 9.
Councillor Paul Tully
Chairperson - Planning and
Development Committee
Interior of Wintergarden Theatre 1940
Source: Picture Ipswich
2
Foyer of Wintergarden Theatre 1930s
Source: Picture Ipswich
Strategic Planning News
The Strategic Planning Branch has
recently finalised the provisional
listing of the drowning site of the
‘Babies of Walloon’ as a Character
Place in Schedule 2 of the planning
scheme.
The waterhole is located on land
adjacent to the Haislea- Amberley
Road, with the listing reflecting
the waterhole’s cultural heritage
significance established by Henry
Lawson having written a poem in
1891 about the drowning of two
sisters at the site.
Further Information
For further information, please
contact the Strategic Planning Branch
on 3810 6251.
Heritage Award for Council
Implementation
Guideline 26 Recognised
by National Trust
Council’s heritage efforts have
received another official recongition
by the National Trust of Queensland.
Implementation Guideline No 26 Adaptive Reuse of Character Places,
Identified Places of Interest and Pre1946 Buildings Located in Character
Zones was awarded the Silver
Governor’s Heritage Award for Local
Heritage Projects.
The new guideline was recognised
as being ground breaking and a
major positive for heritage and
character places in Ipswich. The
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
guideline supports the restoration
and conservation of Ipswich’s historic
places by offering infrastructure
contribution relief (based on the
extent of community access and site
visibility) and innovative car park
solutions. The guideline also provides
clarification on the range of suitable
reuse options for character places
based on the applicable zones.
Over 2 decades ago, Ipswich City
Council introduced a landmark
standard for Queensland with its
much lauded heritage program
with over 7,000 local properties
now protected through its planning
scheme.
Copies of the guideline can be
accessed by selecting
PD Online on Council’s web site
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
3
Development News
A number of significant development
applications have been processed
since the last Newsletter.
Further information regarding these
applications can be accessed via
Council’s web site and following the
links to PD Online. When prompted,
insert the application reference
number which appears below
(eg DA 1234/10).
•
•
Combined Application - Home
Based Activity (Harness Racing
Equipment Supplies) and
Advertising Device at 126 Queen
Street, Marburg (DA 938/12)
•
Indoor Recreation (Proposed
Training Facility) at 2/11
Ellenborough Street, Woodend
(DA 961/12)
•
Extension to Service Trades Use
(Warehouse) at 103 Riverview
Road, Riverview (DA 7187/111)
Indoor Recreation (Martial Arts
Training Facility) at 53 Briggs
Road, Raceview (DA 1520/12)
•
Extension to Business Use
(Restaurant) at 70 Brisbane
Street, East Ipswich (DA 2908/12)
Office and Ancillary Tutoring
Activities at 1 Court Street,
Ipswich (DA 3353/12)
•
Extension to Shopping Centre at
117 Brisbane Street, Ipswich
(DA 4158/12)
Commercial / Industrial Uses
•
•
Orion (Stage 2) at 1 Main Street,
Springfield Central (DA 1218/12)
Residential Uses
•
80 lots at 21 Francis Street, Tivoli
(DA 7980/09)
•
32 lots at Heritage Drive, Brassall
(DA 5453/11)
•
The Springs Stages 2B and 3:
42 lots at Santa Monica Drive,
Augustine Heights (DA 6462/11)
•
Brookwater Stage 11D: 31 lots at
Crest Ridge Parade, Brookwater
(DA 1050/12)
•
20 Townhouses at 2 Lakes
Entrance Drive, Springfield Lakes
(DA 1449/12)
•
68 Units at 40 Old Logan Road,
Gailes (DA 8282/10)
•
195 lots at Bellbird Drive, Bellbird
Park (DA 1785/11)
•
Brentwood Stages 4 and 5:
Bellbird Drive, Bellbird Park
(DA 3939/09)
•
•
St Peters Child Care Centre
(Stage 2A) at 66B Sinnathamby
Boulevard, Springfield Central
(DA 2640/12)
Accounting Practice at 23 Church
Street, Goodna (DA 1295/12)
•
•
•
3 lots at 114 Woodend Road,
Woodend (DA 3819/11)
Permissible Change at 2 Clay
Street, West Ipswich
(DA 8295/10)
•
Permissible Change at 1380
Warrego Highway, Brassall
(DA 7342/08)
Extend Period of Approval at 16
Henry Street, Brassall
(DA 609/07)
•
•
Shop at 346-348 Redbank Plains
Road, Bellbird Park (DA 2033/12)
•
•
Office Extensions and Motor
Vehicle Workshop at
193-195 Cobalt Street, Carole
Park (DA 3311/12)
Outdoor Sporting Facility at 242
South Station Road, Raceview
(DA 2466/10)
•
Shade Structure at 82 Chermside
Road, Ipswich (DA 562/12)
4
110 lots at Deebing Creek
Connection Road, Deebing
Heights (DA 5699/11)
Fast Track Applications
Development
Applications Hit the Fast
Track
A fast tracked residential
development application process
providing for 5 day approval
timeframes will be introduced by
Council on 1 October 2012.
Planning and Development
Committee Chair, Councillor Paul Tully
said that these local development
assessment reforms meant planning
scheme applications for minor forms
of residential development such as
boundary realignments and dual
occupancies would be turned around
in 5 days.
“This is a great initiative as it
increases the speed and efficiency
of the approval process while
still ensuring appropriate levels
of assessment, consultation and
oversight,” Cr Tully said.
“It’s all about Council partnering
with private enterprise to ensure
speedy resolution of low risk and less
complex matters.”
Decision ready applications for
minor forms of code assessable
development encompassing single
residential uses, dual occupancies,
boundary realignments, access
easements, multi residential
development up to 10 units,
residential subdivisions involving
up to 10 lots, advertising devices
and building works not associated
with a material change of use,
that are not subject to statutory
government referral process and
are not significantly constrained,
will fall under the new assessment
timeframes.
Cr Tully said the changes were in line
with those introduced by other local
governments in collaboration with
the Council of Mayors South East
Queensland (COMSEQ).
“It’s all part of ensuring Ipswich
maintains competitive development
assessment processes that are
consistent with the aims of the City.”
Honouring Our Heroes
Honouring our Service
Men and Women
As a mark of respect for our Defence
Force men and women, Council has
named a road at Amberley ‘Heroes
Way’.
The section of Southern Amberley
Road that extends from IpswichRosewood Road to the main entrance
of RAAF Base Amberley, has been
named ‘Heroes Way’.
The RAAF Base Amberley is the
largest defence base in the southern
hemisphere with almost 4,000
personnel.
Mayor Paul Pisasale said that
members of the Australian Defence
Force made important contributions
that went far beyond their official
duties.
“We are indebted to them and their
families. On a day to day level,
they are participants in our P&Cs,
our sports organisations and our
community groups.”
“Through designating this section of
road to be known as Heroes Way, we
want to tell the world that they are
our heroes, the ones who make this
country strong,” he said.
Planning and Development
Committee Chair, Councillor Paul Tully
said Council considered it important
to honour the role undertaken by
members of the Australian Defence
Force in overseas missions and the
fact that they risked their lives to
protect our way of life, often in very
difficult conditions.
“We have a wonderful relationship
with the Defence Force and wanted
to officially acknowledge and thank
them for their efforts.”
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
5
Joseph Brady Park Reopens
Residents can once again enjoy
picnicking, canoeing and playing
alongside the Brisbane and Bremer
Rivers’ junction, with the official
reopening of Joseph Brady Park.
Mayor Paul Pisasale said thanks
to joint local, state and federal
government funding, Joseph Brady
Park was looking better than ever
after it was left devastated by the
January 2011 Flood.
“Joseph Brady Park, which sits on the
junction of the Brisbane and Bremer
Rivers, was inundated by a 19.5
metre wall of water and the scale
of devastation required a complete
rebuild of the park,” Cr Pisasale said.
“With funding from the State and
Federal Governments and a further
contribution by Council, the $1.4
million rebuild is now complete and
families can once again enjoy this
recreational area and some great new
facilities.”
Cr Pisasale said the park’s
reconstruction was a great example of
three levels of government working
together to rebuild a community.
“We all know parks make an
important contribution to the social
fabric of our communities - they are
where we congregate, where we
spend our down time and where
we gather to celebrate important
milestones,” he said.
Joseph Brady Park after reconstruction
works were completed
6
The park reconstruction includes
a new children’s playground and
climbing wall with shade sales to 50%
of its area, upper and lower car parks,
barbeque facilities, shelters, picnic
tables and landscaping.
Joseph Brady Park following January
2011 Flood
River Heart Parklands Stage 2
A spectacular fireworks display, fun
family activities and a free sausage
sizzle marked the public opening of
Stage 2 of the River Heart Parklands.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said
the Stage 2 works included a zero
depth water park and extensive play
equipment including a spider web
style climbing frame and a 25 metre
flying fox.
“We also think the littlies will enjoy
the football field sized ‘Discovery
Forest’ which incorporates features
including forts, a bridge across a dry
creek bed, carved wooden totems and
balance beams,” Cr Pisasale said.
“It’s all been designed to ensure
Ipswich residents can gain maximum
enjoyment from the time they
spend with their families in the
great outdoors. Without a doubt,
the parkland’s reputation as one
of Ipswich’s showcase parks will be
enhanced by these new additions.”
River Heart Parklands Stage 2 works
extended Stage 1 of the parklands
further east along King Edward Parade
which has been linked through a walk
and cycleway to Bob Gamble Park.
The total cost of Stage 2 is $7 million
with $3.4 million committed by
the Federal Government and the
remainder coming from Council.
“Stage 2 looks fantastic and we’re
really looking forward to seeing
everyone out and about, enjoying
everything this space has to offer.”
The new boardwalk will be a boon to
walkers, joggers, cyclists and others
on the move.
Stage 1 of the River Heart Parklands
was opened in 2006 and has been
strongly embraced by the community.
Sizzler Restaurant to Expand
Diners who like a good steak and salad
are set to enjoy an enhanced dining
experience after Council granted
approval for extensions to the Sizzler
Restaurant at East Ipswich.
Extra toilet facilities as well as a new
portico entrance on the north-eastern
corner of the existing building were
also included in the plan.
Planning and Development
Committee Chair, Councillor Paul Tully
said the Brisbane Road premises were
poised to expand to include additional
dining and kitchen areas.
“This Sizzler Restaurant is a very
popular establishment as it offers
buffet-style meals in a relaxed
atmosphere, and these plans allow
more people to enjoy it,” Cr Tully said.
The extensions will provide for just
over 100m² of additional space.
Additional parking spaces have
previously been approved for the site.
New Child Care Centre for Goodna
A new Child Care Centre has been
approved by Council which will offer
improved facilities at St Francis Xavier
School in Goodna.
Planning and Development
Committee Chair, Councillor Paul
Tully welcomed the approval and said
it would enable the school to begin
construction of a new single storey
building.
“Child care places are highly sought
after. This approval will allow the
school to add another important
facility to the campus by providing
places for up to 24 children,” Cr Tully
said.
“The new centre will be constructed
within the grounds of the existing
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
parish school and church. Other
improvements include external play
areas secured from the remainder of
the site by transparent non-climbable
fencing, a new outdoor play area
with sand pit, shade sails, turf and
landscaping.”
“The construction of the new
kindergarten in Goodna is part of a
broader plan by Catholic Education
to open a number of kindergartens in
2013,” Cr Tully said.
“The approval also requires the
school to extend the existing car park
by an extra 9 bays. A separate gated
pedestrian access is also proposed for
the Church Street entrance,” he said.
St Francis Xavier School is located in
the heart of Goodna in Church Street
and has a proud history of serving the
community since 1910. This followed
the establishment of the parish in
1892.
7
Re-use of Character Home
A character home in Goodna is poised
to take on a new lease of life after
Ipswich City Council granted approval
to the residence’s new owners to
transform it into professional offices.
Planning and Development Chair,
Councillor Paul Tully said the pre-1946
dwelling at 23 Church Street (opposite
the Goodna Police Station) will be
renovated in accordance with Ipswich
Planning Scheme Character Provisions
to accommodate an accountancy
practice.
“It’s great to see old buildings like this
undergo sensitive transformations
which will enable them to embark on
the next stage of their lives,” Cr Tully
said.
Cr Tully said the Church Street
project was a perfect illustration of
Ipswich City Council’s approach to
conservation practice.
focus our Heritage Program
has towards education and
encouragement, rather than strict
regulation.”
“We’ve operated a free Heritage
Adviser Service for the past 20 years
and this, along with other initiatives,
have served to protect the City’s
unique character while enhancing the
value of property owners’ assets,” Cr
Tully said.
A recent survey of residents who used
the service in the previous 12 months
found that all who responded rated
the service as excellent.
“The role of the Heritage Adviser
Service is crucial given the strong
Council also provides property
owners with a wide range of historical
information in the form of heritage
trails, sketch books and education kits.
Two ground level office spaces, a
client reception area and internal
staircase are planned additions
to the building. All works will be
recessed from the outer edge of the
wraparound verandah to preserve the
street appeal of the former residence.
Further planning requirements are
that the building’s exterior be painted
in colours that blend aesthetically
with other buildings in the street,
with roofing and timber elements also
being repaired in sympathy with their
surrounds.
New Autobarn for Bellbird Park
Car lovers can look forward to a new
Autobarn store opening in Bellbird
Park, following planning approvals by
Ipswich City Council.
Planning and Development Chair,
Councillor Paul Tully said the new
store would be located at
346-348 Redbank Plains Road
between the gym and McDonalds.
“This is the second Autobarn for the
Ipswich region and will be a welcome
sight for residents once completed,”
Cr Tully said.
“The new Automarn will have a floor
space of 800m² and stock everything
from spare parts and car audios
to communication and navigation
systems and car accessories. There
will also be an installation service
available to customers.”
Cr Tully said the new store would
have around 15 staff members once
opened, as well as seven day trading.
“Construction has commenced and
the developers are keen to get this
new store up and running,” he said.
8
Staff Profile - Nicole Yiannou
Nicole Yiannou has operated in the
role of Finance Supervisor for almost
2 years with the Ipswich City Council.
Nicole’s role is to manage the budget,
fees and charges and general financial
functions of the Planning and
Development Department.
Nicole studied at the Queensland
University of Technology and
graduated with a Bachelor of Business
(Accountancy) in 2009.
Prior to working in the Planning and
Development Department, Nicole
worked in the Procurement Branch
and Finance Management Branch for
a combined period of 3 years.
Nicole’s interests include cooking
which stems from her Greek
heritage, swimming, music, shopping,
shopping, shopping (and did I mention
her love of shopping?).
Staff Profile - Dannielle Owen
Dannielle Owen commenced with
Ipswich City Council in October 2000
as a Strategic Planning Officer. For
the last 3 ½ years Dannielle has held
the position of Team Co-ordinator
(Strategic Planning).
In her role, Dannielle enjoys managing
the Strategic Planning Team in the
Strategic Planning Branch which
undertakes statutory planning scheme
reviews and amendments and
prepares planning policy. The team
also undertakes reviews of Federal
and State government planning policy
and guidance documents.
Prior to working with Ipswich City
Council, Dannielle was employed at
Brisbane and Logan City Councils and
in private consultancy.
Dannielle has a passion for Ipswich
having spent her high school years
at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School
and currently resides in the Ipswich
community with her family.
Dannielle believes the ‘glass is always
half full’ and enjoys spending time at
the beach and with her friends and
family.
Pregnancy Club Update
Congratulations to all the following
staff:
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
•
Karen Roberts on the arrival of
son Oliver Albert (8lb);
•
Sean Dickson welcomed another
addition to the family with the
arrival of a boy Remy Philippe
(9lb);
•
Troy Bayliss on the arrival of a boy
Matthew Troy (8lb); and
•
Luke Conroy welcomed the safe
arrival of his daughter Matilda
Maree (7lb).
Pregnancy announcements continue
with the news that Tamara Brown is
expecting her first child in January
2013.
This brings the total number of
pregnancies in the Department to 20
over the past 15 months.
There really must be something
special in the water.
9
Heritage Committee Members Appointed
Places of cultural heritage significance
in Ipswich will continue to be
nurtured and protected for present
and future generations following
the appointment of 14 community
representatives to two key Council
committees.
Planning and Development
Committee Chair, Councillor Paul Tully,
said the Ipswich Heritage Program,
established in 1990, had amply
successed in its goal to promote
community awareness of the City’s
cultural heritage.
“The depth and diversity of nominees
indicates that the Ipswich Heritage
Program remains an interest to a
broad spectrum of the community,”
Cr Tully said.
Nominations were received from
14 members of the community,
representing both peak community
groups and individual members.
“We’re looking forward to consulting
with these people on heritage issues,
and to ensuring Council remains a
leader in the conservation of cultural
heritage assets,” Cr Tully said.
Council has appointed the following
people as members of the Ipswich
Heritage Consultative Committee:
•
Melanie Rush (National Trust of
Queensland Ipswich and West
Moreton Group);
•
Graeme Adsett (National Trust
of Queensland Ipswich and West
Moreton Group);
•
Joy Boughen (Rosewood Scrub
Historical Society);
•
Irma Deas (Ipswich Genealogical
Society);
•
Graham Carter;
•
Jacqui Pearce;
•
John Jackson;
•
Joyce Phillips;
•
Bill Oliver.
new era as it built on the strengths of
the past.
“We’ve got an incredibly capable and
dedicated team in place and it will be
great to work with them and tap the
knowledge they have about cultural
heritage and Ipswich’s past,” he said.
Council has also appointed the
following persons and organisations
for membership of the Ipswich
Heritage Monuments and Memorials
Committee:
•
Ray Watherston (Ipswich Railway
RSL Sub Branch);
•
Jim Madden (St Edmonds Old
Boys Association);
•
Kevin Keys;
•
Peter Felton;
•
Mike Atkin.
Ipswich Heritage Monuments
and Memorials Committee Chair,
Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said
the city led the way when it came to
preserving the tangible marks of the
past.
“For example, it’s expected that
within the next year or so, family
history researchers and the loved
ones of people buried in Ipswich will
be able to search for comprehensive
death care information, including
grave locations, online,” Cr Antoniolli
said.
Ipswich Heritage Consultative
Committee Chair, Councillor Bruce
Casos said the Ipswich Heritage
Program was set to enter an exciting
St Pauls Anglican Church
10
Goodna War Memorial
Source: Picture Ipswich
“Preservation of our historic
monuments is also something very
high on Council’s list of prorities. Top
of mind is the work to be undertaken
to restore the damaged war memorial
at Woodend by next Anzac Day.”
Launched in 2008 by Council, the
Picture Ipswich website is a collection
of more than 4,500 records including
historical images, films, documents
and oral histories of people and places
in Ipswich.
Council is currently uploading all
Ipswich General Cemetery records to
the Picture Ipswich website so they
will be readily available to the general
public.
Studio 188 - old Baptist Church
Redevelopment of the old Baptist
Church into a contemporary arts
space culminated in the official launch
under a new ‘Studio 188’ moniker in
September 2012.
Arts, Community and Cultural Services
Committee Chair, Councillor Charlie
Pisasale said the development of
Studio 188 ensured community
members could continue to enjoy the
beauty of the building while engaging
in activites that brought new life into
the space.
“With state-of-the-art performance
equipment and a recording booth,
the space is available for use by the
broader community, with a focus on
youth engagement,” Cr Pisasale said.
“There’s been strong interest in the
venue already.”
Cr Pisasale said $15,000 has been
allocated to Council’s budget to
develop performances and activities
for new and emerging artists.
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
This funding comes after Council
secured $1.5 million from the Federal
Government to refurbish the church
in preparation for its future as a
facility suitable for a diverse range of
community cultural activites.
Studio 188 was launched on
26 September in an event featuring
young people’s performances
and a showcase of the venue’s
lighting, sound and other technical
capabilities.
Cr Pisasale said Studio 188 was
selected as the new name of the
venue because it captures the
creative nature of the 188 Brisbane
Street space in combination with its
street number.
Planning and Development
Committee Chair, Councillor Paul Tully
said this was a shining example of
how Council can work with members
of the development industry to
deliver positive outcomes for the
community.
It was developed in consultation with
community stakeholders, including
members of Council’s Youth Advisory
Council.
“Rendering and an Art Deco façade
was applied to the church in 1938 and
this design has been captured in the
logo to recognise and connect with
the appearance of the building,” he
said.
The venue was transferred to Council
as part of the development approval
for the McDonald’s restaurant on the
remainder of the site.
“Council has worked very hard with
the developers and the community
to ensure the creation of this great
facility. Everyone involved in the
development of Studio 188 should be
congratulated,” Cr Tully said.
11
Ipswich’s Heritage
Heritage Homes
Ipswich is fortunate to have a variety
of historic homes still in existence.
In this Edition, we continue our series
highlighting the history of some of
these stately homes.
The house has a chimney with a
terracotta pot. It has verandahs
on three sides, shaded by separate
straight roofing. Its front verandah
features cast iron balustrades and
fringing. Between the support posts,
which have moulded capitals, are infill
lattice panels.
Aberfeldy
(3 Syntax Street, Sadliers
Crossing)
Brighton House
(14 Whitehill Road,
Newtown)
Aberfeldy was designed by architect
Henry Wyman for William Kippen
and his wife Mary Broughton shortly
after their marriage in 1878. William
Kippen was born in Aberfeldy in
Scotland and he came to Australia
with his parents in 1855.
Frederick Augustus Forbes purchased
land from the New South Wales
Government on 1 November 1855.
The subject land transferred to Eliza
Roberts, wife of James Roberts on
27 March 1871 and was transferred to
William Henry Bemi on 25 May 1886.
Aberfeldy is a low set timber house
and is distinctive because of its
complex gable roof line and the
emphasis granted to its decorative
features. Its façade has twin
projecting gables, finished with cast
iron ballustrading, a timber fretwork
pediment and a cast iron fringe to its
roof.
Research undertaken by the
owners, indicates that the house
was constructed c1888 for William
Bemi. William was the son of English
migrants Henry and Ann Bemi who
migrated from Shoreditch, London,
in 1862 and originally settled in
Maryborough, Queensland.
Aligned with the frontispiece is a
gablet, set centrally on the roof
ridge which spans between the
gable projections. The gablet and
the frontispiece have finials which
match those on the main gables. Set
into each of the main gable walls is a
small, louvered ventilator panel.
Window hoods at the side of the
house have timber fretwork and
brackets. The house also retains
an arched picket fence, spanning
between support posts which have
a bevelled head, beneath which is a
moulded surround.
The dwelling at 2 Syntax Street was
built by Kippen for his daughter and
at No 4, Kippen grew 250 different
species of roses.
12
In 1865, Henry and Ann Bemi and
their family of 4 children travelled
to Ipswich where they settled. Prior
to 1888, the Bemi family lived in a
cottage located at 51 Waghorn Street,
Denmark Hill, which they named
Brighton Cottage after Brighton in
England.
In 1924, Doreen Mary Kerwick
became the owner of Brighton House
in Whitehill Road. During the 1930s,
the Kerwick family subdivided the
land upon which Brighton House was
erected and split the large home into
three individual houses.
The front portion of the original house
(14 Whitehill Road) was retained by
Doreen Kerwick until 1946.
Residence 2 is now located at
1 George Lane and residence 3 is
located at 16 Whitehill Road.
Garowie
(59 Whitehill Road,
Eastern Heights)
Garowie was built by Messrs Robert
Wilson and Co for James Clarke
Cribb, the son of Benjamin Cribb who
founded the Cribb and Foote business
and his wife Alice nee Browne.
The house was designed by Ipswich
builder and architect, Samuel
Shenton, and was completed in 1888.
It is said to have been modelled on
the Denmark Hill home of Benjamin
Cribb, Gooloowan.
James Cribb served the family
company until 1904 when he was
elected to the Bundamba Shire
Council. He was the member for
Rosewood and the Member for
Bundamba (which later became the
seat of Bremer), serving a total of
19 years as a state parliamentarian.
Cribb was also a member of the
Ipswich Hospital Board, a director of
the Ipswich Gas and Coke Company
and the Queensland Woollen Mills, a
trustee of the Ipswich Girls’ Grammar
School, chairman of the Girls’ Central
School Council and superintendent of
the Congregational Sunday School.
After James died, his brother Harry
purchased the house. Harry Cribb
was one of the founders of the
Queensland Hunt Club, played cricket
and polo at interstate level and was
a champion tennis player. He died in
July 1944 and the house was sold to
D Robson and was converted to flats.
In more recent years, it has been
restored to its former glory.
A Look Into Our Past
In this Edition of the Planning and
Development Update Newsletter, we
continue our series looking into the
history of Ipswich suburbs.
Goodna
Towards the eastern boundary of
the City, the Goodna area owes its
origins primarily to pastoralism and
agriculture. As early as 1841 there
was a sheep run called Woogaroo
Station, which was owned by the
Grenier family of South Brisbane. This
name, which referred to a waterhole
in the creek was superseded from
1865 onwards by Goodna, another
Aboriginal name.
By the early 1840s Dr Stephen
Simpson, the lands commissioner
and magistrate for the Moreton
Bay district, was living in a slab hut
and farming on the riverbank near
the mouth of Woogaroo Creek.
As the main road intersected with
the track from Coopers Plains and
the river, this was then a strategic
location for Simpson. In 1851-1852
he purchased 2,000 acres of land,
including 640 acres on Wolston Creek.
The homestead which he built on
that property was called Wolston
House, which is now a heritage listed
building held by the National Trust of
Queensland.
Other well known pioneers settled
or purchased land in the Goodna
area. They included: James Holmes
who arrived in 1851 and established
himself as a grazier; Charles Pitt who
settled in 1855 and grew cotton and
maize; Harriet Holmes bought 33
acres upstream from Wolston House
in 1860; and Joshua Jeays, later
Mayor of Brisbane, bought 40 acres
in 1861
Further settlement took place after
Woogaroo was proclaimed a village
in 1856. In the following year Joseph
Broad built a store on the site, which
is now occupied by the Hotel Cecil,
and the cemetery opened in 1859. By
1863 there was a small run to Holmes
Inn, where Harriet Holmes was
postmistress. The ‘Woogaroo Lunatic
Asylum’ was under way nearby, and
the Congregational Church which was
opened in 1863. There was one acting
police sergeant and a constable by
1868. W Law established himself as a
blacksmith in 1870, the year in which
the State School opened.
Daniel Jones built the first sawmill in
1884, which was located below the
Catholic Church / School grounds in
a paddock that reached from Mill
Street to Alice Street (known by locals
as ‘the mill paddock’). In the smaller
paddock immediately behind the
Presbyterian Church and Manse stood
the wooden ‘Honey Shed’ used by
Daniel’s brother Harry in conjunction
with his apiary at Redbank Plains. By
the Second World War, this use had
been discontinued and the site was
used by a group of CWA ladies who
made camouflage nets for the war
effort. The site was also used at one
time by the Goodna Scout Group.
St Francis Xavier Church, Goodna 2003
By 1888 the population of Goodna
was 500, and there were three
friendly societies, the Oddfellows,
Loyal Rose of Denmark and Good
Templars. The foundation stone of
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
(formerly St Patrick’s) had been laid
in 1880 by Bishop James Quinn and
opened in the following year. The
Catholic school was opened in 1910
and the Sisters of Mercy Convent
in 1911. A major employer was the
Wolston Park complex, since shift
workers were easily able to walk to
the complex across a bridge which
existed at the end of Layard Street.
Like other towns east of Ipswich,
Goodna was affected by coalmining.
Robert Towns’ Goodna mine operated
strongly from 1865 to 1877.
Ipswich Road, Goodna (pre 1940)
Source: Picture Ipswich
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
Being near the Brisbane River,
Goodna was also affected by
flooding, especially in 1893 when
residents took refuge at the school.
Building casualties included: a
chemical factory on the river flats;
which was destroyed; the Primitive
Methodist Church, which was carried
downstream but rebuilt in Smith
Street (and later demolished in 1984);
and the railway station, which was
picked up and completely turned
around, but survived, only to be burnt
down later. Despite these ravages of
time and more recent major shopping
centre developments, Goodna still
retains significant elements of its
heritage.
13
A Look Into Our Past Continued
Redbank
The naming of Redbank was
inspired by the red soils found in the
riverbank. The first families settled
on the river flats north of the current
railway station in the late 1850s. The
instigator was a Scotsman, James
Campbell, who founded a major
Queensland hardware and building
materials company.
Owing to the pastoral origins and
riverside location of Redbank, the
first secondary industry was a boiling
down works and fell-mongery
established in the late 1850s by
Messrs (John) Campbell and Towns.
William Kellett later opened a meat
preservation works which continued
until 1931 when the business was
transferred to the Brisbane Abattoirs.
Buildings from the meatworks were
sold to John Morris who refurbished
them as the Morris Woollen Mills.
Kellett also established the Redbank
Freezing Works near the railway
station in 1896.
Redbank Army Camp 1940
A new Presbyterian Church was built
in 1927, preceded by the Methodist
Church in 1904. St Lukes Church of
England was erected in 1910 but
moved to Law Street in 1970.
was used for military camps and as
a training area. Firing ranges also
existed to the south of Redbank Plains
towards White Rock. Three gunpits
were constructed with low walls of
small sandstone blocks, built in semicircles around dug out depressions in
the ground. Remnants of the gunpits
still exist today along the ridgeline
south west of White Rock.
Under the Defence Act of 1903,
the Commonwealth developed rifle
ranges to assist in creating a Reserve
Defence Force. The Redbank site
opened in 1912 and closed about
1980. During World War II, the site
During World War II, a large army
camp was established at Redbank.
The first contingent of 400 men
marched into the camp on
21 October 1939, with the initial
quota of 2,500 men being reached
Playing tennis at Oakleigh, Redbank Plains 1914 - 1918 Source: Picture Ipswich
14
soon afterwards. The camp gradually
developed into a small township
with huts, hospitals, a post office, a
bank and reticulated water supply
and sewerage lines. At the height
of the war up to 6,000 Australian
and American troops were based at
Redbank.
In 1942 and 1943, approximately
80,000 soldiers from the US 32nd
Division were based at Camp Cable,
Jimboomba. These soldiers trained
around White Rock and Spring
Mountain, particularly the area
where the Redbank Plains Library and
Recreational Reserve are today. In
1966, soldiers from 6RAR (6th Royal
Australian Regiment) trained at Spring
Mountain. These soldiers fought in
the Battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam
War in 1967.
A Look Into Our Past Continued
Redbank Plains
Redbank Plains was originally a
farming and grazing area, producing
maize, sugar and cotton. This area
was also used for bee keeping.
Coal was discovered in the 1850s and
numerous mines developed between
Redbank Plains and Blackstone.
is located adjacent to the Redbank
Plains State School. It became the
Westminster Presbyterian Church in
1876. The building has more recently
been used by the school as a heritage
resource centre known as the Yarrow
Centre.
acclaim for his queen bee breeding.
A bee keeping goods factory was
established by H L Jones and Sons
where the Weeroona Hotel now
stands at Goodna.
When hostilities cut the supply
of cotton to England during the
American Civil War in the 1860s,
cotton growing was carried out from
Redbank Plains to Goodna.
The first teacher at the Redbank Plains
‘non vested’ school which opened
in 1868 was John Carroll. When a
state school opened in 1874, Carroll
became the first head master of this
school. He was assisted for many
years by his wife Mary who taught
reading and sewing.
In the late 1920s, George and Lucy
Hallet’s house was built at Redbank
Plains. They operated a dairy farm
and sent the milk to the Booval Butter
Factory. About 1950, the Hallets took
over the post office and telephone
exchange which they continued to
operate until about 1973.
Charles and Jane Yarrow came to
Moreton Bay in 1853. He became a
Timber Getter before buying ‘Spring
Meadows’ farm and settling at
Redbank Plains. The Yarrows grew
maize, cotton, sugar cane and lucerne.
In 1868, Charles donated land for a
Wesleyan Church to be built. This site
Bee keeping at Oakleigh, Redbank Plains c1950s Source: Picture Ipswich
Bellbird Park
The first members of the Jones family
to arrive in the area were Lewis and
Martha who came from Wales in
1864. Lewis started growing cotton
but later turned to cattle grazing and
horse breeding. His son Dan married
Bess Josey and they built Oakleigh
in 1887. The house was purchased
by Henry Lewis Jones (Harry), Dan’s
brother in 1898. Harry developed Mel
Bonum apiary and won international
Harry also operated a timber mill in
Mill Street, Goodna. He was elected
the first Chairman of Moreton Shire
Council. A notable visitor was Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock
Homes books. Oakleigh is also
recognised in the naming of the
‘Oakleigh Room’ in the Ipswich City
Council Administration Building.
Springfield
James Josey arrived in Australia in
1840 as a convict and was sent to
Redbank Plains. He was a supervisor
of a small number of convicts kept
behind to care for the government
flocks (most convicts were returned
to Sydney in 1839). After servicing his
time, he worked as a sawyer, obtained
land and built a sawmill in the area.
In partnership with William Vowle, he
built the first timber house in central
Ipswich.
Parade of soldiers at Redbank c1915 Source: Picture Ipswich
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
15
A Look Into Our Past Continued
In 1859, James Josey settled on 7,000
acres of land four miles south of
Goodna at Opossum Creek. In 1866,
he married Harriet Harris and the
couple built ‘Eden Station’.
also have been buried in the cemetery
(near Collingwood Drive, Collingwood
Park). The earliest burial is thought to
have been a child in 1880 and there
could be up to 14 graves on the site.
On 4 April 1876, the Queensland
Times described the dwelling as
“a beautiful two-storied building,
sixty feet by thirty feet and divided
into apartments, with verandahs
and balconies all round. Mr Josey
has added greatly to nature by the
formation of an excellent garden
and orchard, both of which are well
stocked with the best selection of
the various trees and shrubs which
make up a well-arranged garden and
orchard”.
The first recorded coal mine in
Queensland was started by John
Williams in 1843 to supply the Hunter
River Steam Navigation Company
with coal for its paddle steamers.
The site was on the riverbank at
Redbank, near the junction of Six Mile
Creek. Evidence of the former mining
industry can still be seen in the area.
The crew of four were killed and
the aircraft completely destroyed by
impact and fire. The crew members
were Flgt Sgt Neville James Barron,
LAC Raymond P McGuidan, Sgt John G
Harvey and Eric David Stephenson.
In 1965 leases were taken out by
the Kathage Brothers and mining
commenced a few years later. Mining
was in the Main Seam, believed to be
a combination of the Bluff and Four
Feet Seams. It continued to operate
until 1987 when it was closed and
much of the equipment dismantled
and removed.
The Verralls purchased another 616
hectares in 1868 – 1869 for cattle
grazing, making them one of the
largest land owners in the district.
They also had an extensive orange
grove which was the first of any note
in this part of Queensland. They had
14 children and built a family church
near their homestead which was
serviced by a Church of England vicar
who travelled from Ipswich. A family
cemetery was established, although it
is thought that other neighbours may
16
Development Enquiries Phone: 07 3810 6888
Building Enquiries Phone: 07 3810 6120
Plumbing Enquiries Phone: 07 3810 6130
Collingwood Park
George and Sarah Verrall settled
in the Ipswich district in 1850,
initially renting a farm from Joseph
Fleming. The Verrall’s were the first
to introduce wheat growing in the
West Moreton District. George Verrall
worked at Joseph Fleming’s Bremer
Mills for four years, before purchasing
a freehold farm of 67 hectares in
Redbank Plains.
For previous editions of the Planning
and Development Update Newsletter,
visit Council’s website
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or simply scan the following QR
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On 10 April 1945, a military aircraft
based at Lowood crashed at the Gailes
Gunnery Range which is known as
the Greenbank Military Training Area.
This site is now part of the Springfield
Wildlife Corridor in Springfield Lakes.
Westfalen Parklands Nursery,
27 Bailey Street, Collingwood Park
(formerly Westfalen Colliery No 3)
Previous Editions of
Newsletter
Strategic Planning Enquiries Phone: 07 3810 6888
Cultural Heritage Enquiries Phone: 07 3810 6888
General Council Enquiries Phone: 07 3810 6666
Queensland’s First Labour Strike
Memorial, Collingwood Park
Source: Picture Ipswich
Goupong Park Strike Monument,
Collingwood Park
The first strike in Queensland took
place at the Redbank Mine owned by
Campbell and Towns. On 7 June 1861,
a deputation of miners confronted
Robert Campbell with demands
including a pay rise of one shilling a
ton. Campbell rejected the claims,
the miners went on strike and were
later arrested and tried for illegally
conspiring to injure Campbell’s
interests. The jury found them not
guilty.
Council also operates one
of the most sophisticated
electronic databases in
Australia for development
applications and planning and
development information.
This information (including
details of processing of
development applications,
zoning and development
constraint information) is
available 24/7 by accessing
PD Online on Council’s web
site
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au.