Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area

The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 promotes the location of much of the region's future employment growth in the Western Corridor, stretching from Rocklea in Brisbane through to Ebenezer/Willowbank in Ipswich.

Research conducted by the department identifies a need for more industrial land in the Western Corridor, particularly an urgent need for industrial land for industries requiring large lots and separation from urban areas. The available industrial land for the Western Corridor is predicted to be used up by 2013-2015. For a summary of the findings of this research, read the Synopsis of findings of the Ipswich-Western Corridor Industrial Land Analysis (Dec 2008)(PDF, 2 MB) .

In response, we are working with Ipswich City Council to progress land use and infrastructure planning for the Ebenezer regional industrial area, aiming to make the area available for current demands and ensure it is well planned for future industrial uses.

Location

The 5,800 hectare site is located within the Ebenezer/Willowbank area, south west of Ipswich and immediately north of Goebels Road.

Background

The site is identified as a regional development area to support future industrial development under the regional plan. The site has been highlighted for future regional business and industry development in Ipswich City Council planning schemes since 1993.

The Ebenezer regional industrial area is being planned to accommodate a range of low, medium and high impact industries such as manufacturing and logistics businesses as well as difficult to locate and large footprint industries. There are opportunities within the area for commercial, retail, administration and community uses that support industrial activities and provide key services for workers. The area is not being planned to accommodate noxious, offensive, or hazardous industrial land uses.

Further information on industrial land planning terminology is available.

Project vision

Ebenezer will be an industrial estate of regional, state and national significance that:

  • connects to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
  • accommodates a range of low to high impact industrial uses (e.g. odour, noise, environmental effects etc.)
  • allows for a range of well aligned commercial, retail, administration and community uses
  • does not include ‘noxious, offensive and/or hazardous’ industrial uses
  • is designed to support the function of industrial uses, including expected emissions and noise
  • minimises impacts to the existing land uses surrounding the industrial area
  • provides for medium to large allotments of two hectares or greater
  • provides for smaller infill allotments in appropriate locations
  • is fully serviced
  • achieves sustainable and practicable world’s best practice in terms of:
    • economic viability
    • accessibility
    • water cycle management
    • energy
    • waste stream management and disposal
    • emissions
    • effluent (e.g. sewage)
    • environmental outcomes
    • urban design.

As the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area is located near Ipswich, and future urban development areas through Ripley Valley, there is also potential for the close surrounding areas to provide a workforce for industrial businesses.

Project program

The structure plan for the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area (ERIA) was originally expected to be completed by the end of 2010 or early 2011. This schedule has since been amended as a result of the project team’s improved understanding of and details about certain project requirements, such as environmental values and complex infrastructure supply issues.

Instead of a complete structure plan the original, four phase program will now result in the development of a land use and infrastructure planning framework. This will assist with strategic development sequencing options, development intents and policy required by Ipswich City Council to adopt appropriate planning mechanisms into the Ipswich City planning scheme.

Following better understanding of key project requirements, in particular relating to addressing matters of National Environmental Significance (NES) identified in the study area, it has been decided to undertake a Strategic Assessment of the study area, in accordance with the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This assessment is considered necessary to provide planning certainty, and to improve environmental outcomes for national, state and local NES values for the study area. The assessment will be undertaken by the Federal Government and results will inform land use and infrastructure patterns for the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area. Timing of final planning outcomes for the ERIA will be dependent upon completion of the Strategic Assessment.

Consultation and resources

Consultation has been ongoing with Ipswich City Council, relevant members of parliament, state government agency stakeholders, land owners, local business and community group stakeholders. To date this has included:

  • 20, 21 and 24 July 2010 - enquiry by design workshop
  • 5 May 2010 - community information session
  • 28 April 2010 - information and inception workshop.

The workshops provided a positive and inclusive portal for both the community and the project team to inform planning processes as a result of the technical and local knowledge of all participants.

Outputs of the workshop - including preliminary compilation mapping - have been summarised and can be accessed below.

Land use and infrastructure planning for the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area will incorporate the outcomes of the technical studies and consultation.

Further information and updates on project progress can be accessed below.