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.
    • Planting to be completed before 30 June 2025.
    • Watering, weeding and general maintenance to occur until April 2026.

  • Paynes Road (Ebenezer) Koala Reserve

    • Weed management.
    • Fuel reduction through regular burns.
    • Establishment of informal walking tracks.
    • Developing a concept design for future day use areas and formal walking tracks.

  • Heit Park (Willowbank)
    • Replacement of soft fall bark to improve child safety.
    • Installation of shade sails over the play equipment.
    • All works with the exception of rails on perimeter rails are expected to be completed before 30 June 2025. Rails expected to be installed before December 2025.

  • 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 and order of cost estimate is expected to be completed by 30 June 2025. The concept design will also inform the construction feasibility.

  • Fauna Movement and Signage (Willowbank)
    • Replacement of redundant signage and installation of new wildlife signs within the Willowbank township.
    • Includes 62m2 of a “Wildlife” road marking
    • All works are expected to be completed before 30 June 2025.

  • Champions Way (Willowbank)
    • Install bollards around the fire hydrant to prevent damage and unauthorised access/parking
    • Install a hardstand to accommodate for water trucks in all weather conditions
    • Expected completion before December 2025

Projects completed

  • 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
    • Purchase of two Variable Messaging Signs mounted on trailers for movement across Ipswich during koala breeding season to warn oncoming traffic of koalas.
    • The signs may also be used for other wildlife on an as needs basis.
    • Further investigations needed into which type of unit would be most suitable, how the unit will be used (staff or contractors or both), most appropriate storage location and booking system. Likely to be purchased in the 2025/2026 financial year.