WHEN will the ‘Transforming John Street’ project happen?
It’s a question asked by Rocky Maclean, and other residents in the Rosewood district.
In answer, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that John Street was a State controlled road, and council, alongside the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce have been asking the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to commence urgent repairs to address the camber and flooding issues for more than 10 years.
“Council has a role to play in addressing the drainage network in Railway Street, but these works are completely reliant on TMR developing a plan for the John Street works, and progress by TMR,” she said.
“It is beyond frustrating and council raises this issue regularly with TMR and they continue to talk about it and have refused to fund this necessary work.
“Our latest discussion was in November 2021, and council was told yet again that the State does not have the funding available to commence urgent repairs to John Street.
“It is not good enough as it is a safety issue and it is impacting businesses and residents in Rosewood, the state government need to step up to their responsibilities.”
The Mayor’s comments were backed by Cr Kate Kunzelmann.
“Until they do the work, they [TMR] need to do, council’s hands are tied.
“This is extremely disappointing for residents and businesses who have been waiting a long time for TMR to address significant issues impacting the main street of Rosewood.”
Cr Russell Milligan said in regard to the Transforming John Street proposal, that it was … “a very high-level urban design planning project that Council discussed with the Rosewood community in 2017”.
“Council and the community are still waiting on TMR and the Transforming John
Street urban design outcome cannot be scheduled or have funding opportunities looked at until the road reconstruction occurs on John Street by the Department.
“As a background, John Street, is a State-controlled Road and TMR have been investigating options for some time to improve the flooding and drainage issues in this road corridor.
“Council has been assisting TMR in this matter, however TMR is the lead on the proposed works.
“Council has responsibility for works on Railway Street, however this work relies on John Street designs to proceed and council officers regularly meet with TMR officers to discuss local projects.
“In the most recent meeting on November 17, 2021, TMR again confirmed it did not have the funds available to progress its component of the John Street works.”
The Moreton Border News contacted Transport and Main Roads and a spokesman said that TMR were “working with Ipswich City Council to investigate pavement rehabilitation in John Street”.
“Improving pedestrian safety includes reducing the steepness and crossfall of the parking lane, improving access and reducing flooding impacts,” the spokesman said.
“Our own investigations have shown the drainage issue at John Street has to be resolved before the rehabilitation can be completed.
“TMR and ICC are in the process of identifying the best overall solution for the community.”
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said he attended a meeting of Transport and Main Roads engineers Council Engineers and prospective Councillors prior to the 2020 Council election at the Rosewood Bowls Club.
“As I recall TMR engineers advised that they could not upgrade John Street until council upgraded stormwater pipes in Railway Street, as stormwater networks are the responsibility of council,” he said.
“State Government can assist with funding but we need to receive a request from council with details of what work is proposed.
“The Department has completed the design work to upgrade the lower section of John Street, ensuring the new stormwater system along John Street that can cope with major rain events is a key aspect to these works.
“No funding has been allocated for these works but they cannot commence until council completes the stormwater upgrade in Railway Street.”
Mr Madden is in the process of contacting the Local Government Minister to see if council have made a request for funding to upgrade the stormwater pipe in Railway Street.
