🚏 Asphalt Alphabet

Ever driven from Sapphire Street to Serenity Street and wondered who dreams these names up?

In this week’s SPOTLIGHT we shine the light on how new Ipswich streets get their names.

Behind every new Ipswich estate—Providence, Sovereign Pocket, Fernbrooke Ridge, White Rock Estate—lies a balance‑sheet first, theme board second. Developers crunch lot yields, then wrap the numbers in a marketable story: gemstones, saints, songbirds, even world cities.

Council’s role is simpler: stop duplicates, keep suffixes logical and make sure ambos can pronounce every word on a radio call. If a name is unique, clear and theme‑aligned, it’s usually approved.

This report tours the suburb subdivisions launched since Springfield Lakes, spotlighting their themes, quirkiest streets, the rules that shaped them and the occasional controversy that still sparks debate.

Check out the full guide →

👀 5 Things I've Spotted and Think You'll Like

Ooo Shiny! 

Giraffe Tools Wall-mount Pressure Washer →

If I Could Afford It:

Yamaha Sound Bar w/ Built‑in Subwoofers →

Best Seller in Australia (#1 in Heating):

Currently 39% off: De'Longhi Mini Portable Fan Heater →

Shut Up and Take My Money:

Fast Drying Ultra Compact Microfiber Towel →

Best Deal:

60% off limited offer: Top‑rated KitchenAid blender →

💰 DIY Leather Classes at TJ’s Leathercraft

Woodend workshop TJ’s Leathercraft now runs weekly hands-on sessions where you can craft belts, wallets, knife sheaths, saddle-bags and more, with all tools and materials supplied. Beginners and veterans alike can book online or contact Nathan & Terri to discuss your leather project.
Class Info →

🏛️ Ipswich–Grandchester Rail Line Turns 160

Queensland’s first train steamed from North Ipswich to Grandchester on 31 July 1865; heritage groups marked the 160-year milestone with a sold-out steam special and online history features. The run sparked Ipswich’s rail era and still underpins Queensland Rail’s legacy today.
More on the Anniversary →

🤠 Come From Away Lands in Ipswich This September

Ipswich Musical Theatre Company brings the Tony-winning 9/11 hospitality story to the Civic Centre for five shows, 13–21 September, featuring a local cast and Celtic-flavoured live band. Tickets are already moving fast after a gala sneak-peek.
Show & Tickets →

🗳️ Vote

🧩 Scramble

📍 GuessWhere

How to play: Look close at the photo, guess where it was taken from in Ipswich. Click the link and drop your pin to see how close you can guess.

GuessWhere →

🤔 Trivia

🏫 Teachers Strike to Disrupt Ipswich Schools 6 Aug

Queensland Teachers Union has confirmed a 24-hour statewide walk-out on Wednesday 6 August after 95% of members backed action over pay and workload. Ipswich state schools will open with only minimal supervision, so parents are urged to arrange back-up care.
Full Story →

🏎️ Supercars Street Meet Lures Fans to Ipswich CBD

All 26 Repco Supercars Championship drivers will line Nicholas Street on 7 August for a free autograph session with simulators, show cars and live music, running 4:30 pm-6:30 pm. Organisers say thousands are expected, delivering a revenue bump for CBD businesses before the Ipswich Super 440 race weekend.
Read more →

🏢 Officeworks Picks Redbank For 77,080 m² Mega Warehouse

Goodman Group officially broke ground on 23 July for Officeworks' new 77,080 m² omnichannel distribution centre at Redbank Motorway Estate, eclipsing Coles' 66,000 m² shed next door. The flagship will lift the retailer's warehousing footprint by 26% and will rank among Australia's eight largest distribution centres (#1 in Ipswich).
Full Story →

🎒 $560 Million Boot Camps Target At-Risk Ipswich Youth

The Crisafulli Government’s $560 million “Regional Reset” unveiled on 27 July will base one of its three Kokoda-run boot camps in the Ipswich–Darling Downs zone, putting local teens into the program’s short-stay, live-in reset cycles. The 12-month wrap-around support aims to cut youth crime on Ipswich streets before offenders reach detention.
Official Statement →

🪦 Tallegalla Cemetery Gets $2.3 Million Heritage Facelift

Ipswich City Council completed Stage 2 works at the 149-year-old cemetery on 24 July, spending $2.3 million on sealed roads, memorial paths, toilets and landscaped lawns. The upgrade creates extra burial capacity and safer access while conserving one of the region's oldest graveyards.
See Some Images →

🚜 AI-Powered Mowers Slash Council Cutting Delays

Ipswich City Council has bought six new ride-on mowers, including two tracked units with onboard AI, to keep parks and sporting fields trimmed after seasons of boggy weather. The extra fleet cuts the mowing cycle from nine to six weeks and lets residents track schedules on an interactive map.
See Mowing Schedule →
Video Tour of New Mowers →

🏉 Jets Slip Further After 26-16 Dolphins Defeat

Ipswich Jets conceded five tries in a 16-26 loss to Redcliffe at Goondiwindi's Gilbert Oval on 27 July in Hostplus Cup Country Week. The result leaves the Jets two wins outside the top-six finals places with six rounds to play.
Recap →

Hear the heartwarming true story of stranded travellers and generous Newfoundlanders in award-winning musical Come From Away, landing at Ipswich Civic Centre 13–21 Sept 2025. Tickets from $69. Perfect for music lovers, history buffs, and feel‑good theatre fans alike. More info →

Wednesday (30 July)

🍻🍽️ Monte Lane Wine Bar - Quiz night 6:30 PM book

🍻🍽️ General Public - Trivia 6:30 PM info

💵 Brothers Leagues Club - Poker $25 reg 6 PM, play 7 PM

🆓 Booval Freemasons - Heartfulness meditation 7 PM info

🍻🍽️ Banshees Bar - Open-mic 7 PM info

Thursday (31 July)

🆓 Box Flat Memorial, Swanbank Rd - Memorial service for Box Flat miners 10 AM more info

💵 Ipswich Turf Club - Horse racing 12 PM details

💵 Learning Centre, 40 South St - West Moreton Health expansion briefing 5-7 PM ($45-70) tickets

💵 Stony Creek Brewing - Ale Alliance craft beer meetup 6-7:30 PM ($100 per year) tickets

💵 Rosewood Hotel - Christmas in July 3-course meal 6 PM ($45) info

🍻🍽️ Studio 188 - Open-mic 6 PM details

🍻🍽️ Club Services Ipswich - Trivia 6:30 PM info

🍻🍽️ Banshees Bar - Karaoke 7 PM-late details

💵 Ipswich Civic Centre - The Addams Family Musical 7 PM (Thu-Sat) ($30) tickets

Friday (1 August)

💵 Hardings Paddock Campground - Inner Man Adventures campout, charity fundraiser 6 PM ($10) more info

💵 Orion Hotel - Comedy night 7-9 PM ($15) info

🍻🍽️ Stony Creek Brewing - Live music: Billy Bridge 6-9 PM info

Saturday (2 August)

💵 Start at Wulkuraka trail head - BVRT Cycling Festival 6 AM-4 PM details

💵 Moggill State School - Mogganza 2025 fair 1-6 PM ($40 pass) more info

🆓 Top of Town, Ipswich Central - Ipswich Lapz car show 5-9pm more info

Sunday (3 August)

🆓 Robelle Domain Parkland - Springfield Markets, crafts & food trucks 8 AM-1 PM more info

🆓 Blackstone Hall - Heartfulness meditation 9 AM info

💵 Grandchester Model Live Steam Trains - Birthday Party Celebration 10 AM-2 PM info

🆓 Heritage Poultry Farm Day, Moggill - Farm fun day 10 AM-12:30 PM info

💵 Ipswich Art Gallery - Social Sewing with Alice Nightingale 10 AM-1 PM ($50) details

🆓 Providence Community Hub - Weekly yoga 10-11:30 AM info

🆓 Banshees Bar & Artspace - Life drawing (nude model) 4-6 PM ($20) info

Monday (4 August)

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Tuesday (5 August)

🆓 Ipswich Knights Football Park - Clean Bundamba Creek 8 AM-1 PM info

🆓 Ipswich Hospital Learning Centre - Healthy Yarning Guide Workshop 8:30 AM-12:30 PM details