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INSIDER #044: Ipswich Timelapse (1984–2026) + The 2026 Calendar


Today we’re watching Ipswich grow in fast-forward. It’s a timelapse tour across 5 parts of the city. Then we back it up with quick infographics that show the numbers behind the rise. We’re also introducing a new Ipswich year-view calendar. Zoom right out and see the year at a glance—festivals, markets, big events and public holidays. All the details below. Catch ya round.

⏩ The Rise of Ipswich (Timelapse Video + Deep Dive)

Watch the transformation of Ipswich in this exclusive timelapse tracking 20+ years of explosive Ipswich growth.

You’ll see the evolution of 5 key precincts—including the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area, Greater Springfield, Redbank Motorway Estate, RAAF Amberley, and Ipswich Central.

The footage is paired with detailed infographics for each location to give you the real numbers behind the boom. See the visual proof of how the "sleepy town" became Queensland’s new industrial engine.

Watch timelapse video →

🚀 The Ultimate Ipswich Year Calendar

Stop scrolling through endless weekly lists. You can now visualize the entire Ipswich calendar on a single screen with our new Year View.

Plan your year faster. Weekends are shaded for instant orientation, and we've colour-coded the essentials: Blue for public holidays, Green for markets, Orange for major events, and Purple for council festivals.

Track multi-day festivals without breaks or tap any date for details. This is the city’s master schedule—if you know of a community event that belongs here, hit "Submit" to share it with the rest of Ipswich.

See the big picture →

The Insider runs on coffee ☕

It takes a serious amount of coffee to keep the Insider running—about 3 cups a day. If you got something out of this issue—whether it was fun, useful, or just saved you time—consider supporting my love of coffee and this newsletter.

Buy Me a Coffee →

Want a poster here? Details →

PICK 'SWICH: Pick your favourite Ipswich character homes and discover architectural gems you've never seen before in our Pick 'Swich upvote/downvote game. Just click the up or down arrow for all the houses on the page to vote. Play Pick 'Swich →

$1.8m (est.) Bellbird Park. This 2-acre "triple threat" features a luxury 4-bedroom home, a high-end commercial shed with offices, and DA approval for a 3-lot subdivision. A rare mix of lifestyle, business infrastructure, and development profit. See Full Listing →

You YouTube? I just made a channel for Ipswich Insider. We're doing more Ipswich videos. Subscribe to @IpswichInsiderAU for the latest local video tours and guides. Follow the channel here →

Whatever It Takes by Ipswich author Toni Risson tells the Beaumont Transport story, from North Ipswich to Tivoli, with trucks, drivers, coal, the 1974 flood and yarns. 320-page full-colour hardcover, $50 Email Toni here to Buy →

🗳️ Vote

🤔 Trivia

🧩 Scramble

Unscramble your GuessWhere hint

📍 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 get.

Ipswich, GuessWhere →

🚧 QTA details Mount Crosby Road overpass closures, 30-minute delays expected on Warrego

The Queensland Trucking Association advises the Mount Crosby Road overpass will close both ways from 8pm Jan 16 to 5am Jan 19, with the westbound Warrego Highway closed. Repairs will keep the overpass shut until Jan 24, forcing detours via Kholo or River Road. Queensland Trucking Association →

🏗️ North Ipswich Reserve Western Grandstand demolition started 12-JAN ahead of upgrades

Ipswich City Council filings reveal demolition at North Ipswich Reserve is anticipated to begin in early 2026. The work paves the way for a new western grandstand and lighting upgrades, disrupting reserve access during construction. Project Brief →

⚖️ Teen accused in Yamanto Coles stabbing seeks Mental Health Court referral

The 14-year-old charged with attempted murder in the Jan 2025 Yamanto Central Coles stabbing will apply for a Mental Health Court referral. The case is adjourned to Jan 27, delaying a decision on whether the matter proceeds to trial. 9News →

🌳 Council opens feedback on Paperbark Flats upgrade concept through Feb 1

Ipswich City Council seeks community input on the Paperbark Flats Picnic Area concept plan until Feb 1, with pop-up sessions scheduled for Jan 17 and 21. The feedback will shape facilities at the key White Rock-Spring Mountain gateway. Shape Your Ipswich →

🎭 Council adopts 'Our Creative Future,' a 10-year strategy for Ipswich arts

Ipswich City Council adopts "Our Creative Future 2025-2035," replacing the 2018 framework. The new vision sets 10-year priorities for arts advocacy, venue planning, and creative industry support across the region. Shape Your Ipswich →

Your event poster here! Let's chat...

Events Labels:

🆓 Free entry
🍻🍽️ Free, buy food/drink
💵 Ticketed

Wednesday (14 January)

🍻🍽️ Banshees Bar and Artspace - Open Mic 6 PM info

🍻🍽️ General Public - Trivia 6:30 PM info

Thursday (15 January)

🆓 Rosewood Aquatic Centre - Rosewood Family Fun Day 9am-12pm info

🆓 Rosewood Library – Rosewood History Group gathering with guest speaker Michelle Witheyman-Crump (Diploma of Family History) bring something historical to show 10:30am info

🍻🍽️ Ipswich Turf Club - Race Day info

🆓 Silver Jubilee Park, Ipswich - Take it to the Streets activities 3-7 PM info

💵 South West Wildcats Netball Club, Springfield Central - Netball Gainz preseason training 3:30-6:30 PM ($85) tickets

💵 Everyday Mums Hub - Zumba class 6:30-7:30 PM ($12) tickets

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

🍻🍽️ Orion Hotel - Trivia 7-10 PM ($1) details

Friday (16 January)

💵 Imbibis Craft Distillery - Tour and tasting 2-3 PM tickets

🍻🍽️ Brothers Leagues Club - Nikita Tszyu v Michael Zerafa live and loud 4-6 PM info

💵 Banshees Bar & Artspace - Out of Abingdon and David Flower 7pm ($23.50) details

Saturday (17 January)

🆓 St Luke's, Rosewood - Rosewood Markets 7-11am info

💵 Goodna Community Hall - Kohokai Kyudo, Iaido and Jodo classes 10 AM-2 PM ($25) tickets

🍻🍽️ Royal Mail Hotel - Dillion James Band 4:30-7:30pm info

🍻🍽️ Stony Creek Brewing - Livic Music: Seap P 6pm info

💵 Banshees Bar & Artspace - FTMB, Post-Cats and Nemicidal 7pm ($10) info

Sunday (18 January)

🆓 Orion – Springfield Markets 9am-4pm info

🆓 White Rock Community House - Weekly restorative yoga 10-11:30 AM info

Monday (19 January)

🆓 Weekly Adventure Walk - Coffee + walk (free) w/Kez @thingstodoIpswich 9am follow her page for details

💵 Orion Town Centre - Ipswich Thriving Seniors Movie & Mingle 10 AM-1 PM ($8) tickets

Tuesday (20 January)

🦗

😎 Top 6 Upcoming Events:

21 Jan – Simpsons trivia, Hotel Commonwealth info

21 Jan – Paperbark Flats Upgrade Community Pop-up info

25 Jan – Celebrating 80s Oz Pub Rock, Racehorse Hotel tickets

26 Jan – Aussie Day Long Weekend, Brothers Leagues Club details

26 Jan – 5th running of Falvey’s Australia Day Pig Races, Yamanto info

26 Jan – Car park Party, Hotel Commonwealth details

All upcoming events →

🧩 This Week's Answers

Scramble Answer: EXPLORERS BRIDGE

Mount Crosby has been the engine room of our water supply since the 1890s, when it first began pumping river water up to a hilltop reservoir. While drought forced the construction of an early concrete weir in 1902, it was the 1927 weir-and-bridge combo that locals came to know best. That era officially ended in March 2024, when the new, flood-resilient Explorers Bridge opened to traffic, taking the crossing high above the old weir.

GuessWhere Answer:

📍 Taken from the Chuwar side of Explorers Bridge looking at Mount Crosby Eastbank Pumping Station.

This Week's Trivia Answer:

B) $45 million. Ausbuild won a bidding war against 8 other developers. They plan to build a 500-home estate.

📊 Last Week's Results

The Trivia:

Trivia #043

If the Swanbank B chimneys were still standing, they would be how much taller than Oaks Aspire (Ipswich’s current tallest tower)?

❌ A.) 2x taller (~95m) — 53% guessed wrong

✅ B.) 3x taller (~137m) — 40% guessed right

C.) 4x taller (~190m) — 7% guessed wrong

197 participants

📍 GuessWhere:

GuessWhere #043

  • Players: 181
  • Average guess distance: 1,309m
  • Farthest guess: 10.57 km
  • Closest guess: 1m (good work!)
—Jamey (Facebook · Instagram · YouTube)
Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD 4305
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