Ipswich city center's US$1 billion redevelopment approved

Ipswich city center's US$1 billion redevelopment is set to begin by the end of 2011 and scheduled to finish by 2016.

The revitalized city center aims to decentralize business and state offices thus cutting down on the number of people who commute to Brisbane for work. Leighton Properties will lead development to build a 55,000 square meter shopping center, office precinct and residential properties as well as a new riverfront public space complete with car parking and a library.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said, "By us taking away some of the congestion to Brisbane we're going to be part of the solution for southeast Queensland rather than part of the problem.” The concept will work the same way that Parramatta complements Sydney.

"This project firmly positions Ipswich as the major regional center to service the western corridor," Ipswich council properties chairman Paul Tully said. Leighton Properties forecasts that most of the major aspects of the center will be done in five year’s time and employ around 800 people.

"We're looking forward to delivering the flagship redevelopment that will not only generate economic, cultural and recreational opportunities for Ipswich but it will also be the catalyst to ignite major demand for retailing, offices and inner-city living," Leighton executive director and state manager Andrew Borger said.

Ipswich is located in the south east Queensland region nearby Brisbane city and Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys. It is a 40 minute drive from Brisbane, an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast and 60 minutes drive from domestic and international air and sea ports.