5 September 2005

The new One Mile Bridge has been open to traffic since last November, but the official opening waited until the works associated were completed and last Friday saw the official opening. Thank you again the everyone in Leichhardt/One Mile and to Lobb Street businesses for your patience during construction. Special thanks to Premier Peter Beattie for the state government contribution to this jointly funded project. Don Livingstone told stories of how long he has been asking for the bridge. Now have a new vital piece of infrastructure to add to the other major projects underway across the city.

On Saturday the commemoration service of the West Ipswich/One Mile World War I Memorial was held in Leichhardt Park. This was an important occasion as the refurbished memorial had been relocated to make way for the new bridge. Ipswich and Ipswich Railway sub branches of the RSL have given the relocation their full support along side local councillor Charlie Pisasale. This has been a tremendous example of a great result for the community through effective partnerships and cooperation with the RSL, community groups and family members whose names appear on the memorial.

We keep hearing about the growth in South East Queensland and Ipswich is certainly at the front line of this growth. Last week another piece of the jigsaw puzzle was put in place with the commencement of construction of Sinnathamby Boulevard linking the Springfield-Greenbank Arterial Road and the new Centenary Highway interchange. When completed this new four lane road will become a vital link with Education City, a new medical precinct and the new Orion shopping centre. If anyone needed further evidence that standing still in Ipswich is not an option, then please have a drive to this area of Springfield and see it all for yourself.

The Annual Local Government Conference was held last week in Brisbane and Ipswich was well represented by Cr Paul Tully. This annual conference is very important for councils as it is the primary policy setting mechanism for the LGAQ.

John Marsh pulled into the station for the last time at QR last Friday. Friends and colleagues gave John a fitting farewell at QRI and thanked him for many years of loyal service to QR and for his many years of volunteer work for the local community, particularly the Brassall Christmas Carols.

The inaugural Ipswich Racing Awards last week was held in the Eyeliner Lounge at the Ipswich Turf Club. Congratulations to Wayne Patch and Brett Kitching on a successful evening.

Westside Business Womens Network hold regular breakfast meetings at the Springfield Tavern and it was great to join members last week. Well done to Cecilia Snuggs and the committee for getting these meetings together. They are an excellent networking opportunity for local women in business.

Congratulations to all the students who entered the Redbank Plains High School Art Awards last week. In creating their artworks I know many students worked with retired miners Joe Llewellyn, Bevis Evans, Lance Waldron and Allan Berlin. The students also heard many great stories about our proud mining past.

Happy 20th birthday to Redbank Plaza. It's hard to believe that two decades have past already since the Plaza was opened. Thank you also to Deputy Mayor Victor Attwood for joining the celebrations on Saturday.