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 construction of the Cultural Heart Project (d'Arcy Doyle Place and Nicholas Street South) is not currently funded beyond development of design documents, 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.

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 potential inclusion of the Inner City Centre Bikeway.

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.

Mature trees are an important part of Ipswich Central's character, providing shade, cooling, habitat and contributing to the identity of the city centre. Through previous engagement, we heard strong support for urban greening and increasing tree canopy across Ipswich Central. We also heard from local businesses and property owners experiencing ongoing challenges where some trees have outgrown their location, resulting in impacts to footpaths, drainage infrastructure, underground services and nearby heritage buildings.

Council's preference is to retain established trees wherever possible. As the design work progresses, significant trees across the precinct are being considered individually, taking into account their condition, life expectancy, contribution to the public realm and any impacts on surrounding infrastructure.

In some locations, trees planted decades ago are no longer well suited to the constrained urban environment in which they are growing. Where replacement is identified as the preferred long-term solution, the focus is on ensuring any loss of canopy is balanced by increased planting, improved growing conditions and a long-term approach to urban greening.

The Ipswich Central Heart project aligns with council's commitment to creating a cooler, greener and more connected city centre. This includes opportunities to increase overall canopy coverage, improve biodiversity and support healthier tree growth through contemporary streetscape design and infrastructure. Community feedback will continue to play an important role in shaping how mature trees and urban greening are considered as the project progresses.

Community feedback gathered during previous engagement for the Cultural Heart project has helped shape the preliminary design approach. Feedback highlighted the importance of protecting and celebrating Ipswich's heritage, improving public spaces, increasing greening and shade, supporting arts and culture, improving accessibility and creating a more vibrant city centre.

The preliminary designs have been developed to respond to these priorities while balancing technical, environmental and financial considerations. This engagement is an opportunity to understand whether the current design approach reflects the community's aspirations and identify any further improvements before the next stage of planning.

Yes. Protecting and celebrating Ipswich Central's unique heritage character is a key consideration in the development of the preliminary designs.

The project aims to enhance connections between cultural, civic and public spaces while respecting the area's heritage buildings, streetscapes and stories. New elements are intended to complement Ipswich's character and strengthen the identity of the city centre rather than replace it.

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

The results will help refine the concept designs and detail design outcomes. A community engagement outcomes report will be prepared to summarise the feedback received and demonstrate how community input has been considered.