Rosewood is at a pivotal moment strategically, economically and socially and is well positioned to benefit from a shared vision and coordinated delivery pathway.

Rosewood sits at the heart of the Western Growth Corridor, meaning that growth pressures and opportunities are increasingly intersecting in and around the township. This makes it timely to establish an agreed direction to manage change and leverage future investment.

Rosewood sits within the Western Growth Corridor, an area that has been identified for significant growth for over 30 years and is now actively transitioning into reality. Council is currently developing a Structure Plan for the corridor.

The Place Plan is a chance for the community to have a say in what Rosewood should look and feel like as it grows, and how the town can make the most of the opportunities that come with growth - such as more investment and greater support for local businesses.

The Western Growth Corridor is one of Ipswich's key growth areas, made up of the suburbs of Rosewood, Walloon and Thagoona. As Ipswich continues to grow, council is developing a Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan to guide how the area changes over time, including how it manages housing, infrastructure, environmental conservation and community facilities.

The Structure Plan and the Rosewood Place Plan are separate but connected. The Structure Plan sets the long-term framework for growth across the corridor, while the Place Plan focuses on the heart of Rosewood, its main street and community facilities, and the projects and ideas that will shape the town as it grows.

You can find out more about the Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan at shapeyouripswich.com.au/western-growth-corridor.

The Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan is a high-level strategic planning project that guides long-term growth, land use, infrastructure and development across the broader Western Growth Corridor area. In contrast, the Rosewood Place Plan focuses specifically on the Rosewood town centre and surrounding community, identifying local priorities, improvements and actions to help shape the town’s future character, services and public spaces.

The Place Plan will be developed with input from the local community, businesses, landowners, community groups and key stakeholders, alongside Ipswich City Council. Community feedback will play an important role in identifying local priorities, opportunities and ideas for Rosewood’s future.

The following items may be influenced by the Suburban Renewal program:

• The vision and future priorities for the future of Rosewood
• Ideas for future projects - big and small
• What aspects of Rosewood's identity should be protected and celebrated
• Opportunities to support local businesses
• How the community uses and anticipates using key community facilities, including the John Street, Rosewood Aquatic Centre, community halls and local sporting field

The following items will not be influenced by the Suburban Renewal program:

• Major infrastructure or land‑use decisions already set by the Ipswich Planning Scheme
• Growth forecasts for the Western Growth Corridor
• Private development proposals
• Rosewood Showgrounds
• Community and social housing

The “Transforming John Street” project was an early, high-level urban design concept developed in 2017. It explored ways to enhance John Street’s look, feel and functionality as Rosewood’s main street.

The concept included ideas such as:

• Improved landscaping and greenery
• Wider and upgraded footpaths
• Building façade improvements
• Kerb extensions (build-outs)
• Potential traffic and parking changes

These ideas were shared with the community through workshops and a public consultation document.

However, the project has not progressed because key underlying infrastructure issues, particularly flooding and road conditions, must be addressed first.

The original concept focused on streetscape improvements and did not fully consider:

• Flood resilience
• Road reconstruction requirements
• Engineering and drainage challenges

Without resolving these foundational issues, any streetscape upgrades could be ineffective or create additional problems.

John Street is owned by the Queensland State Government (Department of Transport and Main Roads – TMR).

This means:

• Any work along this road corridor, including planning, reconstruction or any construction activities would be undertaken by TMR
• Council is unable to proceed with any potential urban design improvements until road corridor upgrade works are undertaken

At this time:

• $3 million was allocated under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2025–26 to 2028–29 (Investment ID 2384694) to develop planning and design. TMR is currently developing the design.

• No Council funding has been allocated for further planning or delivery, as we would rely on road corridor works being undertaken by TMR first.
• Based on the newly released Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) for 2026–2030. (link: Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2026-27 to 2029-30 - Dataset - Publications | Queensland Government), it appears that the State Government have not committed any funding for project work along John Street.
• For further information on this project please contact the TMR project team on: metropolitan@tmr.qld.gov.au or 3066 4338

Any streetscape improvements, such as landscaping or footpath changes, are unable to proceed until TMR undertakes any proposed road reconstruction and flood resilience works.

This is because:

• The road may need to be reshaped or raised
• Drainage infrastructure may change
• Any improvements that may be installed could be removed or reworked after any road corridor reconstruction undertaken
• Council will require a formal approval / permit for any work within the state road corridor, which would be unlikely due to impact on any future proposed TMR works

Before any streetscape upgrades can be considered:

1. TMR will need to finalise any commenced planning and fund the road reconstruction or upgrades
2. Flood resilience and drainage issues must be resolved
3. Detailed design work needs to be finalised

Only after these steps can council consider future streetscape improvements.

Improvements to John Street remain a long-term opportunity dependent on state government road upgrades.

Council will continue to advocate for these works, while the Place Plan allows the community to focus on many other initiatives that can shape Rosewood’s future in the short, medium and long term.

Through the Place Plan, the community can help shape:

• The vision and future priorities for Rosewood
• Ideas for future projects — both big and small
• What aspects of Rosewood’s identity should be protected and celebrated
• Opportunities to support and grow local businesses
• How key community spaces are used now and into the future