Published Wednesday, 24 September, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
New government office to cater for growth in Ipswich region
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today opened a new office for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation in Ipswich, to cater for the significant growth occurring in the region.
Mr Pitt said the new office would provide the region’s councils with closer face-to-face contact with the department, improving service delivery for ratepayers in south-east Queensland.
“The establishment of offices outside the Brisbane CBD is part of the department’s commitment to better understanding the challenges faced by councils,” Mr Pitt said.
“South-east Queensland is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia and this growth places significant pressure on state and local governments to work closely together to ensure the sustainability of the region.
“The new Ipswich office will house staff from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation and the Office of Rural and Regional Communities, improving interdepartmental communication and collaboration and providing more streamlined service delivery to our clients.
“Initially, the office will have 12 departmental staff, with room to allow for up to 25 staff as the needs for the region grow,” he said.
Ipswich is expected to become Queensland’s fastest-growing local government area during the next 25 years. It is the oldest provincial city in Queensland and currently accounts for 43 per cent of available industrial land in south-east Queensland.
“There is no doubt that Ipswich is a hub for the growing western corridor,” Mr Pitt said.
“As the population increases, so too does the demand for infrastructure and with this demand comes a heightened expectation from the council to manage the effects of this growth for residents.
“Having departmental staff on the ground will enable the delivery of local solutions to local problems by local people,” Mr Pitt said.
“This is another example of how the Bligh Government is working to make Queensland stronger and fairer in the future.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the new office would provide the region’s councils with closer face-to-face contact with the department, improving service delivery for ratepayers in south-east Queensland.
“The establishment of offices outside the Brisbane CBD is part of the department’s commitment to better understanding the challenges faced by councils,” Mr Pitt said.
“South-east Queensland is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia and this growth places significant pressure on state and local governments to work closely together to ensure the sustainability of the region.
“The new Ipswich office will house staff from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation and the Office of Rural and Regional Communities, improving interdepartmental communication and collaboration and providing more streamlined service delivery to our clients.
“Initially, the office will have 12 departmental staff, with room to allow for up to 25 staff as the needs for the region grow,” he said.
Ipswich is expected to become Queensland’s fastest-growing local government area during the next 25 years. It is the oldest provincial city in Queensland and currently accounts for 43 per cent of available industrial land in south-east Queensland.
“There is no doubt that Ipswich is a hub for the growing western corridor,” Mr Pitt said.
“As the population increases, so too does the demand for infrastructure and with this demand comes a heightened expectation from the council to manage the effects of this growth for residents.
“Having departmental staff on the ground will enable the delivery of local solutions to local problems by local people,” Mr Pitt said.
“This is another example of how the Bligh Government is working to make Queensland stronger and fairer in the future.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819