Division 4 by-election date set for October 26 with costs revealed by ECQ, council wants your views on the future of River Heart Parklands, CMC Rocks 2025 another sell-out, sports awards finalists announced, and have I found Ipswich’s most expensive coffee? Time for another yarn over the back fence with Ashleigh Mac. Published: 17 September 2024. E…

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will be central to recording the real story of Queensland and complete the picture of the state’s history. Truth will allow all Queenslanders to heal and move forward. In this special episode chairperson Joshua Creamer explains more about the Inquiry which aims to build and understand First Nations history and …

This month’s council meeting again exposed deep divisions, verging on outright hatred, between two increasingly distinct factions in the chamber. Fortunately, there was some important council business dealt with, but the future looks far from rosy for all sides. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show after the September 12 meeting of Ipswich City Coun…

A by-election will determine who fills the Ipswich City Council Division 4 vacancy. Russell Milligan missed out on a councillor spot in March. This week he announced he will be a candidate with a platform which includes no place for party politics in local government. Will voters give him another chance? Russell Milligan is hoping so and he joins t…

It all started with civility to decide which of two options councillors would vote for in order to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former councillor David Cullen. There were tense moments, but it was clearly a done deal beforehand with the numbers having it for a by-election. Hear the arguments for and against in a special meeting of Ip…

How best to avoid swooping magpies and is it possible to make friends with an aggressive bird? All your questions answered from a wildlife expert, plus tips on reducing your chances of encountering snakes around the house. Published: 3 September 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Magpie by photographer Rebecca Tregear (Pixabay) Ipswich…

In a shock announcement first-time Ipswich councillor Dave Cullen has resigned citing on-going health problems. Dave Cullen joins this episode of Ipswich Today to discuss what's behind his decision. Ipswich City Council CEO Sonia Cooper issued a statement which confirmed that under Section 166 of the Local Government Act 2009, there are two options…

Ash Barty donates books for kids to libraries across Australia, UniSQ announces new chancellor, council shortens the shortlist for new western waste centre, Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve to open before Christmas and Galvanized festival kicks off this week. Published: 27 August 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: University of Sou…

Mihi Grove flood buy-back drags on while council considers what to do with other properties purchased under the scheme, Greenwood Village Road right turn issue unresolved, greyhound facility approved at Purga with additional noise conditions, regulations dropped for sex workers and why council needs, or doesn’t need, advisory committees. In this ep…

Federal member for Blair Shayne Neumann criticises Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding under parliamentary privilege, school plan for Scott’s farm quashed, countdown to the state election, copper theft costs council dearly, Galvanized heritage festival and I, Object comes to Ipswich Art Gallery. All this and more with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac who …

Scott’s Ripley farm saved from school plans, Ipswich councillors agonise over solutions to problem intersection on Redbank Plains Road and sex workers now in the same classification as other home-based businesses. What does this mean for the typical suburban street? Published: 15 August 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich MP Jen…

Copper thieves cost Ipswich City Council more than $750,000 since 2020, the rebirth of Fire Station 101 as a place for creative arts, Riverview green waste area doubles in size, National Science Week at UniSQ and later in this episode Rachel Vickary co-creator of Queerswich joins the show (5:04 from start). Published: 11 August 2024. Theme music: w…

Technology and soundproof booths are being used to help teach young Indigenous teens in Ipswich coping with life skills. Places are now available in a new 10-week program. VitalHub’s Russ Wright joins the show to explain more. Published: 7 August 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com VitalHub Ipswich: https://www.vitalprojex.com/ Ipswich Festiva…

Labor’s Wendy Bourne hasn’t stopped campaigning since her loss at the state by-election in March. The hot issues in the seat of Ipswich West are mostly due to rapid population growth. Wendy Bourne joins the show for the first time. Published: 5 August 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: ALP candidate for Ipswich West Wendy Bourne (suppl…

Healthy lifestyle habits are easy to start but hard to maintain. Failed diets, lack of exercise and sleep can bring us unstuck. Ipswich-based Loz Antonenko has a fresh take on how to stick with these healthy habits in her new book with an edgy title. Published: 3 August 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Loz Antonenko (supplied) Loz Li…

Should councillors have a side hustle and does it pass the pub test, Indigenous wild food and culture coming to Ipswich Turf Club, Goodna park upgrade complete and a proposed revamp for d’Arcy Doyle Place. Published: 1 August 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Councillor Paul Tully, mayor Teresa Harding and deputy mayor Nicole Jonic at…

Ipswich councillor Jacob Madsen finally admits publicly to having a side hustle, but insists it does not impact his ability to perform the role of councillor. In this episode you’ll hear first-hand from Madsen as he reveals why he applied for a second job. Interview recorded: 25 July 2024. Published: 27 July 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com…

Another chapter in the Swifts saga, AI gets attention in council, Ipswich motions for the LGAQ conference later this year and Ipswich City Council’s We Can’t Wait advocacy almost nuked in this month's meeting when Andrew Antoniolli called for an immediate halt to the campaign. All this and more with mayor Teresa Harding. Recorded: 25 July 2024. Pub…

Only eight years until the Brisbane Olympics and local kids are looking to participate in the games, new diabetes service at Ripley Satellite Hospital, Park2Park clocks up 20 years, Galvanized steps back in time and sites shortlisted for a new waste facility in western Ipswich. Published: 23 July 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Twen…

Shock health announcement from Ipswich West MP Darren Zanow and Ipswich City Council campaigns for state funding of major projects. Ashleigh Mac joins the show for another yarn over the back fence. Also in this episode RAAF Amberley supports Exercise Pitch Black and more serious health advice from West Moreton Health. Published: 14 July 2024. Theme…

Ahead of the state election Ipswich council launches an aggressive push for more infrastructure spending in the region before two and a half hour commutes from Ripley to Brisbane become the norm, if nothing is done to build more critical infrastructure. Ipswich can’t wait any longer campaign launched on July 7. Also in this episode Crime Action Gra…

Nominations open for this year’s Ipswich Sports Awards, SPARK Ipswich on now, Ipswich West Greens candidate revealed, Blazin' Bull Ride night coming to Ipswich Showgrounds, a new healthcare service for First Nations people living in Ipswich and West Moreton and the Peaks to Points Festival returns from July 20 to August 4 with more than 50 free and…

If you’re a male over 40 when was the last time you had a PSA blood test? In this episode a serious message about prostate cancer from ManUp! Australia, which was established in 2010 by Brian and Jill Costello after Brian was diagnosed with prostate cancer and the family had trouble finding relevant information and support about the disease. Sadly,…

As sure as the sun rises Ipswich City Council increased rates in its annual budget for 2024-2025 handed down this week. In this episode you’ll hear highlights from the city’s $663 million budget delivered by mayor Teresa Harding and was that an apology from Andrew Antoniolli near the end of the meeting? Published: 28 June 2024. Theme music: www.pur…

It was sorry business that interrupted an emerging art career and then kick-started it again 15 years later. David Pearce is an Indigenous artist from South Australia living in Queensland. David paints in his own unique style. It is Indigenous art but not as you know it. Ipswich Community Gallery highlights the works of local artists each month and…

The FO (food organics) is going from FOGO in Ipswich, fire ants fire up councillors with a report about who pays for future treatment of council-owned land, first public disagreement over recommended tenancy in Nicholas Street Precinct, Andrew Antoniolli criticises decisions of the previous council, the end is near for River Heart walkways, council…

After a short break Ipswich Today is back and time for another yarn over the back fence with Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac. In this episode we talk about the cost of living and its impacts on hospitality businesses, River Heart Parklands to lose its over water walkways, from horsepower to SPARK as Ipswich turns on the festivals and we remember B…

Can shopping for Christmas in June save you money? Consumer expert Park Thaichon from the University of Southern Queensland joins the show. He shares tips and views on saving money at the mid-year sales. Also in this episode sister city relationship strong as task force visits to help solve bat problem and West Moreton Health wants your help. Publi…

They liked the company so much they bought it. Meet new Pumpyard owners Jack Anderson and his dad Deryk. Nine years since it first launched, Pumpyard and 4 Hearts Brewing is about to have new owners. Also in this episode University of Southern Queensland climbs world rankings to crack the top 400 and Ipswich council extends CMC Rocks sponsorship un…

SPARK Festival returns for a fourth year in July with a bigger program, stroke training save lives, Sutton Park lighting boost, SEQ Council of Mayors descend on parliament, Willowbank Raceway set to host 2024 Winternationals and Floating Images takes Ipswich to the world. Published: 31 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: SPARK Festi…

The fallout continues after the second vote on disaster management chairperson in Ipswich. Andrew Antoniolli has now been endorsed twice by the majority of councillors as the chairperson of the Ipswich Local Disaster Management Group. Can councillors move forward in relative harmony after such deep divisions? Published: 29 May 2024. Audio credit: A…

Mayor fails in second bid for disaster management chair as hostilities break out in the council chamber. The second Ipswich council meeting of the new term gets off to a far from harmonious start with disruptions from the public gallery, and is the mayor considering a third tilt for federal seat of Blair at next year’s election? Teresa Harding join…

Council meeting chaos as Ipswich councillors reject a renewed bid from mayor to chair local disaster management group, Warrego Highway pain continues at Bremer River, what’s new in Nicholas Street, another cracker Ipswich Show, Festival of Horsepower coming in June and we reminisce about Cribb and Foote. All that and more with Ashleigh Mac and Walt…

Can the sound of the ukulele really ease a hangover? In this episode a break from local news and politics to catch up with Jeni from the Royal Mail Ukulele Group. You’ll also hear one of their songs as performed live on the Community Stage at this year’s Ipswich Show. Published: 20 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Royal Mail Ukul…

Ipswich City Council responds to Queensland Government homeless review, major earthworks begin at Colleges Crossing, have your say in annual survey of library services and get ready for an expanded Festival of Horsepower. Published: 16 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Earthworks at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve (supplied) …

May is small business month, a new fish highway coming to Six Mile Creek, flexispaces target disengaged students in three Ipswich schools and a University of Southern Queensland study reveals the impact of bad parenting on the mental health of children. Published: 9 May 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: A local fishway in Woogaroo Cre…

May is showtime in Ipswich. Show president Darren Zanow joins this episode with a rundown of what we can expect this year including a special appearance from Bluey and Bingo in the Bluey Live Interactive Experience, the city’s population now estimated at 254,000 and a new Sounds of Ipswich to keep you guessing. Published: 3 May 2024. Theme music: w…

A free safe online program to help young people aged seven to 17 with mental health issues has been released and is backed by six universities. It’s a self-help online platform available now. Project lead is Professor Sonja March from the University of Southern Queensland. Also in this episode can you guess the sounds of Ipswich? Published: 29 Apri…

After a hectic few weeks with the council election and Ipswich West by-election your humble host had a week off. Now back in the studio I reminisce about ANZAC Day when at school, speculate on what’s ahead in the Ipswich City Council chamber, pop in some local news and talk about a new feature coming soon to the podcast called Sounds of Ipswich. Pu…

In this local news episode: ANZAC Day in Ipswich, new Ipswich Art Workshop looking for your ideas, West Moreton Health recognised for their innovative hepatitis C testing and treatment program, and a reminder to get your flu vax before winter sets in. Published: 19 April 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: West Moreton Health Alcohol an…

We pause to offer condolences to families of Sydney stabbing victims, the extraordinary events at the post-election Ipswich council meeting, farewell Bell Street pedestrian bridge, more laughs with Stitch in the Swich and we reminisce about the opening of Ipswich Art Gallery. Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join the show for our regular yarn over …

Ipswich councillors split over who should be deputy mayor and every other major decision at the post-election meeting held April 11. This included division over selecting members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and Local Government Association of Queensland policy representative, meanwhile second term councillor Jacob Madsen was nowhere …

New faces in the chamber for Ipswich City Council’s post-election meeting, Australia’s single biggest defence export to be built at Redbank, Prison Health Service staff benefit from new correctional centre and researchers at the University of Southern Queensland challenge young people stereotypes. Published: 9 April 2024. Theme music: www.purple-pl…

As the dust settles after the Ipswich council election jockeying for the deputy mayor spot is well underway. The first meeting of council on April 11 will also decide on standing committees and deal with any urgent business held during caretaker. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show and will also answer why council officers approved a controversial …

Ipswich mayor and councillor positions declared by ECQ, work to resume on the current Redbank Plains Road upgrade, IHF community donors support West Moreton Health and extra money for sports facilities in Ripley Valley and Blackstone. Published: 28 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Stalled works on Redbank Plains Road (supplied)…

In an era of constant change in technology and radio station ownership will local radio survive in the future? In this special episode two guests explore the past and try to predict the future. David Greenwood and Dr Ashley Jones are media experts and both have a strong connection to Ipswich and its original radio station 4IP. The show features 4IP…

Four new councillors on the cards for Ipswich City Council and a new LNP member for Ipswich West. After a big weekend of voting there’s going to be a few changes. Walter Williams and Ashleigh Mac join the show for our regular yarn over the back fence. Recorded: 19 March 2024. Published: 20 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Local govern…

Ipswich votes for more change with four new councillors likely to be declared as counting continues this week. Meanwhile Teresa Harding retains the top job as mayor. A massive swing puts the LNP's Darren Zanow as the new member for Ipswich West and the ECQ under heavy criticism for the way this election was run. Former councillor Cheryl Bromage joi…

As campaigning for Ipswich City Council and Ipswich West enters its final hours former Ipswich councillor Cheryl Bromage joins the show one more time before election day with further analysis and insights. We chat about how candidates are feeling with two days to go, early voting numbers and the ugly side of elections. Recorded: 13 March 2024. Publ…

First time councillor Andrew Fechner is aiming for a second term in Ipswich City Council Division 3 and is being challenged by two Greens candidates. In this episode his reaction, significant achievements, other key issues facing the city and why he is running again. Published: 11 March 2024. Theme music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Ipswich Divisi…