A masterplan for Rosewood Showgrounds that has laid dormant for a decade has been revitalised, thanks to Division Four Councillor Jim Madden who is pushing to see an updated plan come to fruition.
At last Thursday’s Ipswich City Council meeting, Cr Madden noted the existing Master Plan for the showgrounds was completed in 2016 and to be updated with feedback from residents and regular users of the showgrounds via the Shape Your Ipswich campaign
“There’s lots of buildings in it that have since been demolished,” Cr Madden said.
“It doesn’t have the newly constructed camp kitchen or utility block in it either, for example.
Cr Madden said more than 20 tenants occupy the showgrounds.
“We’ve got new groups like Pickleball, and the Hack and Pony Club hold their State Championships here.
In his motion, Cr Madden outlined that Shape Your Ipswich feedback from locals and users of the precinct be used for consultation.
“I’m not too worried about the history, but where it’s clear, we should be talking to our groups that use the precinct when we update the master plan.
Cr Madden said the motion was to simply update the 2016 master plan, not create a new one he says is “60 to 70 per cent accurate” in 2026.
“It’d be a much bigger thing if we were starting from ground zero.
In response, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said she was supportive conceptually of updating the master plan but noted further discussions needed to take place.
“It should move to a budget workshop for further consideration where we can as a Council decide it and prioritise it in accordance with all things.
“That’s where I stand,” she said.
All Councillors voted for the motion, with Mayor Haridng and Councillor Pye Auigustine voting against.
With no timeline around consultation set in stone, Ipswich Tribune Today suggested the upcoming Rosewood Show in June as a starting point.
“We should focus on that time period around the show, that’s a good suggestion.”
On reflection, Cr Madden said he criticised the maintenance of Council master plans in years gone by.
“I’m not going to say Council did the wrong thing, but we shouldn’t go 10 years without upgrading a master plan.
“Every master plan should note at the bottom of the page that it needs to be reviewed by a certain date,” Cr Madden said.
