PREMIER DELIVERS $5.9M FOR SPRINGFIELD PARKLAND

Premier Anna Bligh announced a $5.9 million boost for Springfield’s Town Centre Parklands that - on completion - will be 20 percent bigger than Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland.

Ms Bligh said the new Parklands would cater for a wide range of users and be a place of informal gatherings and public events.

“Just like Roma Street has become a hub of outdoor activity for Brisbane residents and visitors, Springfield’s Town Centre Parklands will be a great liveable, green space for the growing numbers of residents of the south-west,” Ms Bligh said.

“Over the next 20 years, its expected the parklands will service a regional population of up to 500,000 people, and will deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for not only Springfield residents, but those in the surrounding region.

“The project will also have a major impact on the region’s economy, with the development expected to generate more than 250 jobs during construction, and a further 275 indirect jobs with ongoing maintenance work when its complete.”

Ms Bligh said the Government’s funding for Ipswich City Council totalled $5.9 million, including $5 million and an interest-free loan of a further $5 million.

Ipswich City Council and the Springfield Land Corporation will work in partnership to develop Town Centre Parklands at a total cost of $45 million including land, making it one of the largest public parks in south-east Queensland.

The Council expects early site works to begin by June and the project to be completed by the end of 2009.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the project would become an important hub for the community in the future.

“The parklands will provide a significant playground, picnic and barbecue facilities, a plaza, a kiosk, active and passive recreation spaces, open areas and water features,” Ms Miller said.

“Major annual events are expected to be held at what will be a ‘people’s park’, and these events will be great news for our local economy.”

Ms Miller said the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Strategy identified extra regional parks as a priority to service the needs of developing areas.

“It is important we plan for our future, and this parkland will initially serve tens of thousands of people in the western corridor,” she said.

“It will be an exceptional outdoor space for people to enjoy the Queensland lifestyle and to keep fit and active and with the significant growth at Springfield - the proposed Ripley Valley development and the proximity of the park to other communities like Goodna and Redbank Plains - this facility will be an asset for residents in this area well into the future.”

ENDS

Media contacts: Premier’s office: 3224 4500

Jo-Anne Miller: 0409 069 439

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale: Alan Roebuck 0419 500 807