What is the Ti Tree Bioenergy Funding?

The Ti Tree Bioenergy Waste Disposal Facility (the facility) utilises waste to generate energy. The facility was established in 2002 and is located in Willowbank.

The Planning and Environment Court issued a development permit for the facility in 2002. This included a ‘Contributions for Local Environmental Improvements’ condition. Under this condition, the operator (Ti Tree Bioenergy) pays council an annual payment to undertake community and environmental improvements. Council, together with impacted stakeholders, decide what improvement projects the payments are used for.

Council has a transparent governance framework for the management and administration of the payments. The framework allows projects to be:

  • identified by community and council
  • assessed against criteria to ensure compliance of the development condition
  • implemented in the community by council.

In the project identification phase, the community can suggest suitable projects to be funded by the payments and delivered by council. This is done through the Project Identification Submission (below). The identified projects will then be assessed against the Eligibility and Assessment Criteria. Through committee, council then makes the final decision on which projects will receive funding. Once approved, council will carry out the project.


2025 Submission Update

Funded projects from previous years submissions continue to be progressed. Submissions for 2025 will open on 6 May 2025 and will remain open for community to submit their project proposals when convenient. Project assessments will be undertaken at least twice a year, generally in March and October. Assessment dates and frequencies may be subject to change and dependent on the number of submissions and the availability of the assessment panel. The assessment panel includes council subject matter experts that are in close communication with the Willowbank Area Residents Group. Projects that are recommended by the assessment panel will be presented to council for approval via the Environment and Sustainability Committee.

To see which projects have been completed or underway in the 2024-2025 financial year, please see further below. For a full list of projects completed as part of this program, proposed projects awaiting council approval, you can visit Ipswich City Council's Transparency and Integrity Hub.

Project Identification Submission

Submissions will be assessed against the Eligibility and Assessment Criteria and successful submissions presented at council.

Examples of eligible projects

Projects need to meet the Eligibility and Assessment Criteria and be local to the facility. Below are some ideas for projects that would be eligible.

What is the process once you have submitted a project identification submission?

The Ti Tree Working Group within council assesses all submissions against the Eligibility and Assessment Criteria. This ensures open and transparent selection of projects. Engagement with relevant stakeholders is also undertaken.

The working group then makes recommendations to committee, then council, for final decision making and approval. If approved by council, the projects are implemented.

The community will be able to view a list of the selected projects on this page.

A review of project submissions is undertaken twice a year to ensure that successful projects meet the requirements of the development condition.

Projects Commenced

  • Ryan Road Reserve (Purga)
    • Planting local native species to fill a current gap in a wildlife corridor along near Purga Creek (completed)
    • Watering, weeding and general maintenance (occurs until April 2026)

  • Paynes Road (Ebenezer) Koala Reserve

    • Development of a new koala/community reserve for the protection of Koalas whilst providing recreational opportunities for residents.
    • Weed management (ongoing)
    • Fuel reduction and ecological burns (ongoing)
    • Perimeter double pipe anti-vehicle fencing (expected completion by 30 December 2025)
    • Masterplan (completion before 30 June 2026)
    • Walking tracks (completion before 30 June 2026)
    • Implementation of masterplan (commence in 2026 - 2027)

  • Heit Park (Willowbank)
    • Replacement of soft fall bark to improve child safety (completed).
    • Installation of shade sails over the play equipment (commenced - completion by mid November 2025).
    • Installation of perimeter bollards, rails and sandstone blocks to eliminate vehicle entry (completed).
    • Replacement of garden mulch and extension of northern garden (completion before February 2026)
    • Installation of motorbike deterrent pedestrian entries (completion before 30 June 2026)

  • Coopers Road (Willowbank)
    • Install approximately 570m of footpath and 150m of kerb and channel to connect the existing footpath on the corner of Willowbank Drive to the Over 50’s Village and Caravan Park.
    • Concept Design (completed).
    • Detailed Design (completion by 30 June 2026).
    • Construction (completion by 30 June 2027).

  • 102 Champions Wy, Willowbank Hardstand + Bollards
    • Install a hardstand and bollards around the fire hydrant to prevent damage & unauthorised access/parking whilst allowing all weather access for the Mount Forbes Rural Fire Brigade.
    • Install a hardstand & bollards to accommodate for water trucks in all weather conditions (completed)
    • Line marking of hardstand and compliance signage (expected to be completed by 30 December 2025)

Projects Completed

  • Mack Family Bush Reserve - Vehicle Deterrent Fence
    • Existing coppers log fence removed and disposed of.
    • Double galvanized pipe fence installed with pedestrian turnstile installed 13 June 2025 at the request.
    • Fence will impede access to motorbikes as requested by the Willowbank Area Residents Group.

  • Fauna Movement and Signage (Willowbank)
    • Replaced redundant signage and installation of new wildlife signs within the Willowbank township
    • Installed a 62m2 “Wildlife” road marking
    • All works completed on 26 May 2025.

  • Visit the Transparency and Integrity Hub

    The Transparency and Integrity Hub provides you with all the income, expenditure and list of completed projects carried out under the program.

    Click here to view the completed projects 

Projects in the planning stage

  • Mobile Variable Messaging Signs
    • Long term hire of 7 Variable Messaging Signs for placement near koala corridors across Ipswich during koala breeding season to warn oncoming traffic of koalas.
    • Signs to be displayed between September to February each year to coincide with koala breeding season/movement.
    • Contract to extend to February 2028 and will be reviewed after this time.