The Ipswich Civic Centre is an incredibly popular cultural and community venue. As Ipswich continues to grow, there is an opportunity to ensure the city has the facilities that meet current and future community needs, support a wider range of performances and events and continue contributing to the vision of Ipswich Central as the cultural hub and beating heart of the Ipswich community.

Additionally it is recognised that performing arts and civic venues all have a positive economic benefit to other businesses in Ipswich Central attracting people to visit cafes, bars and restaurants before and after the shows and events

The concept design explores opportunities to:

• To provide a 250 – 300 capacity black box theatre
• Offer a venue size that is not available within the region and attract additional touring shows and provide space for community productions
• Increase flexibility for performances, events and community activities
• Strengthen connections to surrounding public spaces
• Support arts, culture and entertainment within Ipswich Central
• Create opportunities for increased day and night-time activity

The business case completed by CBRE in 2023 helped to identify a gap in the market for a blackbox theatre that could offer a space more economically viable for family touring shows, community productions and theatre productions.

The project has also been informed by previous engagement undertaken across Ipswich Central, as part of Our Creative Future 2025 – 2035 and with targeted discussions with arts, cultural and community stakeholders. Feedback has consistently highlighted the importance of arts, culture, accessibility, activation, community gathering spaces and creating a more vibrant city centre.

Since the business case was completed, council has secured funding through the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program for several projects within Ipswich Central. This provides an opportunity to consider how the proposed blackbox theatre integrates with the broader Ipswich Central Heart program, creating a cohesive and complementary network of projects.

This engagement provides an opportunity to test whether the concept design reflects these aspirations.

No.

Under the urban Precincts and Partnerships Program funding the existing building renovations or redevelopment is not included and is focused on the addition of a blackbox theatre as identified in the 2023 business case.

The Ipswich Civic Centre Redevelopment (black box theatre) has the potential to:

• Attract more performances, events and visitors
• Support local artists, performers and creative industries
• Increase activity in Ipswich Central during the day and evening
• Support local businesses and the night-time economy
• Provide improved facilities for community and cultural events
• Strengthen Ipswich's reputation as a cultural destination

The Ipswich Civic Centre redevelopment forms part of the broader Ipswich Central Heart project.

Together with the Ipswich Art Gallery expansion, Cultural Heart, Brisbane Street Refresh and Inner City Cycle Network, the project contributes to a connected vision for Ipswich Central that strengthens culture, creativity, public spaces and community life. The Civic Centre is identified as a key destination within this broader network of cultural and civic projects.

Feedback received during this engagement will be reviewed alongside technical investigations, funding requirements and project planning.

The results will help refine the preliminary design approach and inform future design development. A community engagement outcomes report will be prepared to summarise the feedback received and demonstrate how community input has been considered.

No. The Blackbox Theatre is currently in the concept design phase. Community feedback, alongside technical investigations and further planning, will help inform opportunities for future investment.