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You are here: Home Contact DHAInformation about Ipswich

Information about Ipswich

Area Code: 07
Time Zone: EST no daylight saving in summer months
Populations: 135,000

Introduction

Ipswich is situated only 40 kms and 45 minutes west of Brisbane. The city boasts the best of the country, with city convenience in a unique natural environment.

From a city reliant on past economic strengths of coal, mining, railway workshops and a variety of other manufacturing enterprises, Ipswich has transformed into a city creating new development, business and employment opportunities for its citizens.

Diverse sport, cultural and recreational activities are other central elements of Ipswich's lifestyle. Sporting activities from local soccer to national motor sports facilities are all available in the area. There is so much to discover in Ipswich - with almost 2,000 heritage listed buildings, you can explore one of the many heritage trails or sign-posted bushwalks. With antique shops and charming old churches, Ipswich is also home to some lovely bed and breakfast establishments.

Housing

DHA manages over 650 properties in the Ipswich area, covering areas from Rosewood to Forest Lake. Over the next 12 months more new homes will be constructed in the suburbs of Fairview Rise, Flinders View, Springfield Lakes and Forest Lake for allocation to members in the Ipswich and Brisbane regions. The new constructions will all contain covered pergolas and security screens to windows and doors.

RAAF Base Amberley is the largest operational base in the Air Force employing approximately three thousand Service and civilian personnel. This accounts for about ten thousand people contributing to the Ipswich and Brisbane communities.

Ipswich Services

There are two major hospitals which service the Ipswich region. These are the Ipswich General Hospital and the St. Andrew's Private Hospital. Medical services are available 24 hours a day through the casualty section of the public hospital or through selected Medical Centers which offer after hours services. It is highly recommended that upon arrival in Ipswich that you seek to enroll with a doctor of your choice as soon as possible as the number of patients often exceeds the number of doctors available. The region is also serviced by a good range of ancillary service providers, for example, specialists, dentists, optometrists etc.

The three main shopping centers in the Ipswich area:

• Riverlink shopping centre the newest and largest in Ipswich town.
• Redbank Plaza which comprises 100 specialty shops and 5 large retail chains (K Mart, Target, Action, Coles and Reading Cinemas).
• Booval Fair comprises of approximately 60 specialty shops, Big W, and Woolworth's.

For Public Transport Services you can contact Trans Info for information on services which cover the greater Brisbane area from Gympie in the north, to Toowoomba in the west, and south to Coolangatta.

Childcare

There is a vast range of Childcare facilities available through the region. The Amberley Child Care Centre - funded by the Defence Community Organisation is located adjacent to the RAAF Base. Also conveniently located close to the RAAF Base are the Amberley Community Pre-School and Kindy and the Amberley Playgroup. For any enquiries relating to home-based childcare you can phone the Ipswich Family Day Care.

Climate

Due to the subtropical climate, Ipswich experiences high average temperatures nearly all year round, with the winter months still reaching 20 degrees each day, with lows reaching 0 degrees Celsius. Summer temperatures can reach in the high 30's with high humidity.

Education

The Ipswich region has a wide range of education and training facilities, services and programs to accommodate the needs of students. In Queensland children under six years of age attend Pre-School, children from six years onwards attend Primary School ( Year 1 to 7), and children 12 years and over attend High School (Years 8 to 12). There are both public and private educational facilities. There are over 40 state Primary Schools and seven state High Schools. Ipswich also has over 25 private schools and colleges. 47 of the regional state and private schools offer Pre-School facilities. The region boasts a University which is part of the University of Queensland and there are also three TAFE colleges.

South Queensland Housing Management Centre

The Ipswich region is managed by the South Queensland HMC (SQ HMC) which is located in Brisbane, at suites 3-6 on the ground floor of Highpoint Plaza, 240 Waterworks Rd Ashgrove (next door to the Ashgrove Post Office). Customer parking is available on site at the front of the building and in the underground carpark. The SQ HMC is your point of contact for housing allocations, rent assistance and housing maintenance supporting the Enoggera and Bulimba, Amberley, Canungra and Oakey Bases.