The City of Ipswich suburbs include:
Amberley , Barellan Point , Basin Pocket , Bellbird Park , Blackstone , Booval , Brassall , Bundamba , Camira , Churchill , Chuwar , Coalfalls , Collingwood Park , Dinmore , East Ipswich , Ebbw Vale , Flinders View , Gailes , Goodna , Ipswich , Karalee , Leichardt , Marcurg , Moores Pocket , Newtown , North Booval , North Ipswich , One Mile , Peak Crossing , Raceview , Redbank , Redbank Plains , Ripley , Riverview , Rosewood , Sadliers Crossing , Silkstone , Springfield , Springfield Lakes , Thagoona , Tivoli , Walloon , West Ipswich , Willowbank , Woodend , Yamanto

The existing situation:

• Population of 137,000 supported by 49,000 jobs.
• Jobs/population ratio of 36%.
• Significant daily vehicular commute in and out of the City via the Ipswich Motorway.
• Framed by protected greenspace comprising 20% of the total City area.
The future plan

• Ultimate population of 676,000 supported by 313,000 jobs.
• Jobs/population ratio of 46%.
• Well serviced, quality residential sectors of the City focused on a network of central business districts and major centres in reasonable proximity, and connected by an efficient transport network to large business and enterprise parks and general business areas framed by attractive, diverse and protected greenspace.
• Efficiencies in transport, water, energy, communications, general service delivery.
• Deliver sustainable community well being, substantial reduction per capita in long distance commuting and facilitate community capacity building.
• Enhanced social, economic and environmental outcomes for the community.

Transport Infrastructure

The Ipswich Motorway

• Currently carries up to 80,000 vehicles per day.
• Is part of the national highway system.
• Requires a massive upgrade at an estimated capital cost of $600m.

Extension of Centenary Highway to the Cunningham Highway
• Indicative capital cost $100m.
• Linking people to jobs – 281,000 ultimate development population in the emerging Springfield, Redbank Plains and Ripley Valley areas linked with job carrying capacity areas luminium 126,500 jobs at final development in Carole Park/Synergy Park, Swanbank Enterprise Park, RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich Aerospace Precinct and Ebenezer Industrial Park.

Warrego, Cunningham, Centenary Highway connection
• Connecting three highways and major employment generators with combined job carrying capacity of 25,000 jobs.

Improved rail commute times and vehicle/bus/rail interchanges
• Will encourage substantially increased use of the rail service and lighten the load on the Ipswich Motorway combined job carrying capacity of 25,000 jobs Requires a massive upgrade at an estimated capital cost of $600m.

MEDIA RELEASE R.E.I.Q
Monday, 13 September 2004
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) today released the June quarter figures for Ipswich, which show a strong result for City's property market. Ipswich has seen significant price gains across the board in the June quarter as investors and first home buyers look further out for more affordable property. This has resulted in an across the board gain of 8.5% in the June quarter. REIQ Research Manager, Fiona Bergin said the growth in Ipswich was unique in the region:
"The increase in the Ipswich median house price was not only the highest in the greater Brisbane region, but also topped the entire Southeast in the June quarter," she said.
This strong price growth is backed up by an analysis of price points in Ipswich. Sales under $200,000 have dropped from just over 54% of total sales in the March quarter to a little over 45%, while sales in the $200,000 to $300,000 range have risen to just over 40% of total sales from less than 35% in March. This price growth has pushed through all price brackets with sales over $300,000 in Ipswich Shire accounting for about 14% of all sales in the June quarter compared to only 11% in March.

This strong growth is highlighted by the top ten growth suburbs in Ipswich, which between them averaged growth of some 12.2% for the quarter.
"While the investor market in the greater Brisbane region has to a large extent dried up over the last ten months, Ipswich is bucking the trend and still attracting a reasonable number of property investors," Ms Bergin commented.

REIQ research shows that around 45 per cent of all house sales in Ipswich in the June quarter were to investors. Most were local Brisbane buyers but approximately 25 per cent were from New South Wales.
"Affordable property is also appealing to first home buyers who are also active in the Ipswich market.
"For this reason particularly, we believe growth will continue more strongly in Ipswich than in other greater Brisbane shires.”
(Source: www.reiq.com.au)

Demographic
Ipswich is the oldest provincial city in Queensland, and this is reflected by the grace and magnitude of more than 6,000 heritage listed buildings and locations. A significant strength is the culturally diverse community comprised of over 118 multi-cultural groups. Ipswich boasts a business environment and a quality of life that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. The city is forging ahead in the information age and is becoming an information rich community. Booval House, Ipswich The people of Ipswich have a strong sense of belonging and stewardship for their City which provides for a high quality of life. Residents take great pride in their City and its surrounding rural areas.

Ipswich’s identity is based on the sense of the place defined by its special heritage, history, rivers and creeks, mountains and valley and urban rural centres. Ipswich has an opportunity to achieve a high standard of living and to enhance personal well being. A sustainable and diverse economy provides for a wide range of business and employment opportunities and jobs in both urban and rural areas. Ipswich has used its strategic gateway location, historical past, rural hinterland and urban future to create this positive solution.

Location

Climate
Ipswich experiences high average temperatures nearly all year round, with the winter months still reaching 20 degrees each day, with lows reaching 0 degrees Celsius. Summer temperatures can reach in the high 30's with high humidity.

Economy
The story of Ipswich’s future is one of sustainable development and is intrinsically interwoven with the story of South East Queensland’s future. The master plan for Ipswich as a City of centres and job generators is designed to achieve Ipswich’s vision to be recognized universally as a great place to live, work and visit. The master plan for this City of 1,207 sq kms clearly lays out the ultimate sustainable development scenario for Ipswich’s lifestyle vision.

Growing Suburbs
A recent article in REIQ magazine “Qld Property & Lifestyle” Autumn 2005 stated:
The other issue to consider in relation to Southeast Queensland greenchange destinations is availability of infrastructure and services. This is one reason for the current excitement surrounding the Ipswich local government area, southwest of Brisbane.
“Ipswich is an area that is much closer to Brisbane than the western suburbs of Sydney and as we see major levels of growth it is clear that the existing resources that are available in Ipswich such as high quality schools, health services and the like, will continue to be a magnet,” says Peter Sherrie, president of the association representing developers, the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).

Lifestyle
Ipswich is acknowledged as a desirable place to live. Ipswich Central, Ripley Valley Town Centre and the Springfield “Gateway” CBD and a supporting network of other urban and rural centres are keys in the creation of a highly liveable community.

Ipswich is clearly established as a regional city with vibrant neighbourhoods and rural towns, thriving business districts and cultural facilities linked by parks, green spaces and a variety of transportation options. Ipswich is an exciting place to live, work, invest and visit. Ipswich offers all the modern facilities and attractions of a progressive city. Attractions include the Ipswich Art Gallery, the Workshops Rail Museum, steam trains, more than 500 parks, as well as wineries, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and shopping centres.

Ipswich hosts regular national and local festivals and events such as the Queensland Open Golf Championships, the Ipswich Cup (the city’s annual major horse race), the Winternationals Car Drag Races, and the Ipswich Festival.

Culture

Ipswich is recognised as a city of great strengths drawn from the diversity and involvement of the people in their community. Ipswich residents are drawn from 115 countries of origin, and over 80 different languages are spoken. Strong cultural influences throughout the City can be attributed to Indigenous occupation of the Ipswich region (reportedly 40,000 years ago), European settlement in the 1800s, particularly Welsh, German and Dutch cultures, and more recently, immigration from Asia and the Pacific. Throughout its history, the people of Ipswich have been proud supporters of community and voluntary organisations, from the provision of essential emergency services to the care of frail and vulnerable residents. People working together to solve common problems in Ipswich is a valued asset. By valuing the strengths of our diverse community, the people of Ipswich have developed partnerships and relationships which form an effective network of community services and infrastructure.

Ipswich Art Gallery
The Ipswich Art Gallery is in the central business district of Ipswich. Entry to permanent and long-term exhibitions is free. See great art from around the world and learn what makes this part of the world so unique. There are many exciting things to do and see at the Ipswich Art Gallery. The Ipswich Art Gallery offers guided group tours of its permanent and temporary exhibitions. They last about an hour but we suggest you allow a couple of hours to really enjoy the Ipswich Art Gallery.
Workshops Rail Museum
The Workshops Rail Museum is an inspiring place. It is state-of-the-art and wholly interactive. It’s full of big machinery, colourful multimedia experiences, glimpses into the future and of course, reflections on the past. The Workshops Rail Museum's permanent exhibitions take visitors on a lively and colourful journey of discovery into the Queensland rail story. See the huge Model Railway; learn about the Ipswich Railway Workshops and Rail in Queensland. See some unique piece of Queensland's intriguing rail history and see how fast trains can really go in Rail Today while the Other Railways display introduces a Queensland icon - the sugar cane train. A highlight of The Workshops Rail Museum experience is a Behind the Scenes Tour where sparks fly and furnaces roar as the skilled QR workers maintain and restore the gems of the QR train fleet.

Wineries

IRONBARK RIDGE VINEYARD
Ironbark Ridge produces many award winning wines. The historical tasting room built in the early 1900's, was originally a miner's cottage and now offers Cellar door tasting and sales along with a selection of cheeses, olives and coffee. Located in Purga. www.ironbarkridge.com
KOOROOMBA VINEYARD & LAVENDER FARM
Cellar door, wine tasting & sales, vineyard restaurant, lavender farm. Enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine in the fully air conditioned Restaurant 40 minutes from Ipswich surrounded by the picturesque Scenic Rim, vineyard & lavender. Located in Mt Alford.
NORMANBY WINES
Cellar door and wine tastings. The wine is made from grapes grown only on the property - 100% Ipswich. Winner of 10 wine medals. Located in Harrisville. www.normanbywines.com.au
WARREGO WINES
Warrego Wines is a state-of-the-art winery and cellar door only 15 minutes from Ipswich. Great lunches and award winning wines are available daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The cellar door also boasts an art gallery for local artists as well as olives and wood craft nic-nacs. Located in Marburg. www.warregowines.com.au
PARADINE ESTATE WINES
Our 100 year old “Barn Cellar” door has been lovingly restored, taking advantage of the panoramic 360° views. Wines on offer include Cabernet Sauvignon, Port, Rose, Durif and Mourvedre. Restaurant also open offering country cuisine. Located in Harrisville.

Parks
Ipswich boasts over 500 parks. Some of these include:
QUEENS PARK
Queens Park is located in the heart of Ipswich, and having been established in 1864, hold's a special place in the heart of Ipswich residents and visitors alike. The parks features include picnic facilities, gazebos, electric barbecues, toilets and disable access, but the park is also home to some extra-special features:
The Queens Park Nature Centre is an environmental oasis featuring a wide range of Australian wildlife, exciting exhibits and lush landscaped gardens. Walk through the free flight bird aviary and farm animal nursery. See kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, emus, deer and more!
Nerima Gardens (Japanese Gardens of Ipswich). The first stage of Nerima Gardens was opened on 17 May 2001 by former Ipswich Mayor John Nugent and Mayor Saburo Iwanami of Nerima to commemorate the Sister City Relationship between Ipswich City and Nerima City, Japan. Nerima Gardens has been designed in consultation with Ipswich City's sister city Nerima. The philosophy of the garden is to create a place of peace and tranquillity, a place to meet nature and calm the spirit. The garden is designed to take advantage of the existing vegetation and landform of Queens Park in such a way that the visitor is taken on a journey of discovery, where the perspective of the garden changes and lightens the heart. Nerima Gardens seeks to capture the elements of a Japanese style garden whilst retaining a distinctly Ipswich identity through the use of local plants including rare and endangered species. The garden is a picture of the local environment and how Ipswich fits within South East Queensland. The first stage of the garden portrays the ocean with latter stages to be added that will portray more closely the character of the Ipswich region, its rivers, mountainous peaks and vegetation.

COLLEGES CROSSING Recreational Reserve
Colleges Crossing Recreational Reserve lies along the bank of the Brisbane River running to the North of Ipswich City. Access to the river mean that this park is a great place for canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. Being beside the water also creates a great atmosphere for you next barbecue or picnic with family and friends.
FLINDERS - GOOLMAN CONSERVATION ESTATE
The Flinders - Goolman Conservation Estate located to the south of Ipswich is a section of preserved bushland around the base of Flinders Peak. The estate provides walking tracks, hiking trails, and barbecue facilities at the Hardings Paddock and Flinders Plum picnic areas. This is a great place to view birdlife and you may event spot Ipswich's faunal emblem, a brush-tailed rock wallaby.

Education
Some of Ipswich’s Public and Private Schools include:

Ipswich Hospital
Ipswich Hospital is a 310-bed facility serving the entire West Moreton District. Services provided include: Medical & Surgical Services; General Medicine, Emergency Services, Orthopaedics, Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Renal Dialysis, Rheumatology, Paediatrics, General Practice, Psychiatry; Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery, Burns, Rehabilitation. A building project costing $62 million involved construction of a new ward block of 300 beds, redeveloping clinical services and intensive care, and refurbishing a ward tower block to become an administration area.

Ipswich Racecourse
The Ipswich Turf Club Incorporated is a proud and historic Club having grown from the first races held in the Ipswich area in 1848, to the first official race meeting in Queensland in 1859 to the forming of the Ipswich Amateur Turf Club in 1890 to race at the Bundamba Racecourse. The Club was renamed in 1988 and the track renamed in 1991 to become The Ipswich Turf Club, racing at the Ipswich Racecourse. There are approximately 46 race meetings each year including 2 Saturday meetings, one of which is the famous Ipswich Cup.
The Club provides the following products / services:

Transport Train Network
Operated by the QR City Train, the Ipswich line runs for 38.7 kilometres (24.0 miles) south-west from Brisbane's Central Station. Normal suburban services are provided by QR City train, and the average travel time between Ipswich and Central is approximately 55 minutes for an all stations service.
Bus Network
Operated by Westside Bus Company. Approximately 19 routes across Ipswich.

PROPERTY RETURNS

Median House price change pa 20.1%
Rental return pa 4.2%
GROSS PROPERTY RETURN 24.3%

Population 2005 70,490
Population 2004 69,629
Population growth rate 2004 to 2005 1.2%
Proportion of people aged 65 years and over 13%
Proportion of people aged 15 years and younger 23%
Average age 33
Average weekly household income $600-$699
Average monthly home loan repayment $600-$799
Average number of people per household 2.6