THERE was one thing that stood out for me in our story this week with former Ipswich state MP Rachel Nolan and her view on the past, present and future of her city.
As she reflected on her own time as an MP, her relationship with former mayor Paul Pisasale and the dramatic changes that have occurred in the past four or five years, Ms Nolan commented that she believed Ipswich was at a critical point in shaping its future.
I’m sure this comment resonated with a lot of readers as there has been a feeling of ground zero – both literally and metaphorically – since our entire council was dismissed and our city centre was gutted and rebuilt.
Talks with retail brands to set up in the overhauled CBD are progressing and ‘significant players’ in the cinema industry are eager to take over the complex in the city centre
Something must have improved at Ipswich City Council over the past six months.
This week we reported the role of deputy mayor would be passing over from Councillor Marnie Doyle to another new face in the chambers, Councillor Nicole Jonic. Cr Nicole Jonic has been voted in as deputy mayor.
It wasn’t a unanimous decision, despite an earlier pledge by the new-look council to rotate the deputy position every 12 months.
Four out of the nine votes were for Cr Doyle to stay in the role. Cr Doyle’s vote was one of the four, which was interesting to see, especially given the fact she briefly resigned from the position last September, before changing her mind and coming back.
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DIVISION 2 councillor Nicole Jonic has been appointed as the city’s new deputy mayor but councillors were divided on her taking on the role, with even divisional colleague and running mate Paul Tully voting in favour of Marnie Doyle continuing in the position.
The accountant’s business acumen has served her well during her first stint as an elected representative.
She is the chair of the council’s Economic and Industry Development Committee and has spearheaded several economic initiatives to aid the city’s recovery in the wake of COVID-19, while also leading the taskforce into the sluggish response to the Halloween hailstorms.
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THE installation of new turning lanes at an Eastern Heights intersection is among several upgrades set to improve driver safety.
Ipswich City Council this week confirmed the major works had been completed at the corner of Robertson and Grange Road.
Works finished ahead of the expected completion date.
Further upgrades included the installation of traffic signals at the previously unmarked intersection, as well as LED street lighting and the reconstruction of some footpath and kerb and channel.
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Major works were also undertaken to rework the road’s stormwater network as well as along Robertson Road and France Street.