Published Monday, 03 March, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Main Roads caters for regional growth with new Ipswich office
The Queensland Government will establish a new Department of Main Roads office in Ipswich to cater for booming growth in the western corridor region
Speaking at today’s Community Cabinet meeting in Ipswich, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the new office would be established to meet the future road network needs of the local areas of Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.
Mr Pitt said the opening of the office, which would become operational progressively during the next few months, reflected the State Government’s support for growth areas and regionalisation.
“Main Roads is moving quickly to secure office space in the Ipswich CBD as soon as practicable,” he said.
“Staffing numbers are still being finalised but it is expected that the new Ipswich office will require 12 to 15 officers within the first two years of operation.
“In the meantime, and as an interim measure, the new office will initially be co-located in Main Roads' existing Major Projects office at Darra.
“This will allow us to take advantage of the existing facility until we have had a chance to formally establish our Ipswich office.
“It’s no secret that Ipswich and the western corridor are among the fastest-growing areas in the country. Business in Ipswich is booming and new residents are flocking to the area to be part of it.”
“The South East Queensland Regional Plan has already highlighted the enormous potential in the western corridor region, including residential and industrial developments in Springfield and the Ripley Valley, and expected growth in other areas of Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.
Mr Pitt praised the efforts of Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan and Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt, who have continually lobbied for more government services for their growing area.
Ms Nolan said the Ripley Valley alone was expected to eventually house more than 120,000 people and support a potential 200,000 new jobs.
“Plans for Springfield include a new railway station and the potential for residential towers up to 25 storeys, taking the development’s approved ultimate population to 86,000,” she said.
Mr Wendt said the new office was a strategic investment in the region’s future prosperity and would help ensure new development was supported by suitable road infrastructure.
“The Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan has already seen construction begin on the infrastructure that will cater for Ipswich’s future,” he said.
“Main Road is at the coalface delivering this infrastructure, and is heavily involved in delivering in the Ipswich region.
“This new office will focus more on long-term planning for the area, in close consultation with the local governments and other government agencies including the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.”
Mr Pitt said Ipswich’s Local Growth Management Strategy foreshadowed that the city’s population would double to 300,000 during the next 20 years.
“Closer involvement between Ipswich City Council and Main Roads will help facilitate the infrastructure needed to support that level of growth.”
Mr Pitt said the initiative at Ipswich was part of a series of statewide changes to Main Roads administrative boundaries to better service communities around Queensland.
“Following the outcomes of local government reform, Main Roads reviewed its district boundaries to deliver services more effectively, particularly in south-east Queensland’s high-growth areas."
Main Roads currently has 14 districts throughout Queensland, each responsible for a number of local government areas.
In response to local government changes, Main Roads will move towards a system of 12 regions across the state, supported by 15 district offices.
“These changes will retain and reinforce Main Roads’ long history of decentralised delivery and localised decision-making, which allows our staff to make on-the-ground decisions that are best for their area,” Mr Pitt said.
“It means better service for councils and communities, without rationalising facilities or staff – all the current district offices will be retained. Importantly, no one will lose their job and no one will be forced to relocate as part of these changes.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads would consult with local MPs and councils after the March local government elections to finalise the full requirements and services to be offered at the Ipswich office.
Similar discussions across the state will be held to ensure the strong, positive working relationships between Main Roads and local government are maintained and enhanced into the future.
Media contacts: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Speaking at today’s Community Cabinet meeting in Ipswich, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the new office would be established to meet the future road network needs of the local areas of Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.
Mr Pitt said the opening of the office, which would become operational progressively during the next few months, reflected the State Government’s support for growth areas and regionalisation.
“Main Roads is moving quickly to secure office space in the Ipswich CBD as soon as practicable,” he said.
“Staffing numbers are still being finalised but it is expected that the new Ipswich office will require 12 to 15 officers within the first two years of operation.
“In the meantime, and as an interim measure, the new office will initially be co-located in Main Roads' existing Major Projects office at Darra.
“This will allow us to take advantage of the existing facility until we have had a chance to formally establish our Ipswich office.
“It’s no secret that Ipswich and the western corridor are among the fastest-growing areas in the country. Business in Ipswich is booming and new residents are flocking to the area to be part of it.”
“The South East Queensland Regional Plan has already highlighted the enormous potential in the western corridor region, including residential and industrial developments in Springfield and the Ripley Valley, and expected growth in other areas of Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.
Mr Pitt praised the efforts of Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan and Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt, who have continually lobbied for more government services for their growing area.
Ms Nolan said the Ripley Valley alone was expected to eventually house more than 120,000 people and support a potential 200,000 new jobs.
“Plans for Springfield include a new railway station and the potential for residential towers up to 25 storeys, taking the development’s approved ultimate population to 86,000,” she said.
Mr Wendt said the new office was a strategic investment in the region’s future prosperity and would help ensure new development was supported by suitable road infrastructure.
“The Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan has already seen construction begin on the infrastructure that will cater for Ipswich’s future,” he said.
“Main Road is at the coalface delivering this infrastructure, and is heavily involved in delivering in the Ipswich region.
“This new office will focus more on long-term planning for the area, in close consultation with the local governments and other government agencies including the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.”
Mr Pitt said Ipswich’s Local Growth Management Strategy foreshadowed that the city’s population would double to 300,000 during the next 20 years.
“Closer involvement between Ipswich City Council and Main Roads will help facilitate the infrastructure needed to support that level of growth.”
Mr Pitt said the initiative at Ipswich was part of a series of statewide changes to Main Roads administrative boundaries to better service communities around Queensland.
“Following the outcomes of local government reform, Main Roads reviewed its district boundaries to deliver services more effectively, particularly in south-east Queensland’s high-growth areas."
Main Roads currently has 14 districts throughout Queensland, each responsible for a number of local government areas.
In response to local government changes, Main Roads will move towards a system of 12 regions across the state, supported by 15 district offices.
“These changes will retain and reinforce Main Roads’ long history of decentralised delivery and localised decision-making, which allows our staff to make on-the-ground decisions that are best for their area,” Mr Pitt said.
“It means better service for councils and communities, without rationalising facilities or staff – all the current district offices will be retained. Importantly, no one will lose their job and no one will be forced to relocate as part of these changes.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads would consult with local MPs and councils after the March local government elections to finalise the full requirements and services to be offered at the Ipswich office.
Similar discussions across the state will be held to ensure the strong, positive working relationships between Main Roads and local government are maintained and enhanced into the future.
Media contacts: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819