The project was identified in the Top of Town and Centre Core Place Plans in 2021 and aligns with other council strategies including:

• iFuture
• Economic Development Strategy 2023-2027
• Creative Industries Action Plan
• iGO Active Transport Plan

This project provides an opportunity for the community to embrace and enhance our cultural assets in Ipswich Central.

The renewal of d'Arcy Doyle Place is not currently funded beyond development of the preliminary concept design, however it will be able to be considered for future capital budgets by Council and may be considered for external funding by state and federal governments.

History

The obelisk was commissioned by the Ipswich City Council in 1987, to stand as a landmark item near the Brisbane Street entrance of the City Mall which was then being developed. The artist commissioned was the Australian sculptor Tom A Farrell. The panels depict a number of historical themes in Ipswich.

Preliminary Concept Design

A key element of the preliminary concept design is improving access, pedestrian and cycle connectivity, through the inclusion of the Inner City Cycle Network.

Should the preliminary concept design proceed, the obelisk may be removed from d'Arcy Doyle Place to make space for the needed transport infrastructure and to improve sight lines to Denmark Hill.

Council recognises the historical significance of the obelisk and further community engagement will occur.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote and develop Ipswich Central, council conducted two rounds of community engagement on the Developing the Cultural Heart project in 2023 and 2024. At that time this included the potential removal of two street trees outside 116 Brisbane Street (Indian Mehfil Restaurant).

These trees are having impacts on the heritage building, including tree roots affecting pavement and decking, blocked gutters, water ingress, and the risk of termite activity.

A change to the scope of the project means further design work is needed, meaning there is no plan to remove the trees at this point.

The scope of the project has changed because council received $3.8 million in Federal Government funding under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships program to expand the Ipswich Art Gallery.

This funding will also be used to continue work on planning and designing the broader Ipswich Central Heart, including the inner-city centre bikeway, a Brisbane Street streetscape refresh and redevelopment of the Ipswich Civic Centre.

To keep up to date on the whole project visit Designing the Cultural Heart.