Zadig
Reviews
"Bad news for those who live near the river"
North Ipswich, once a quiet forgotten suburb of workers cottages and old colonials, now the centre of new development with RiverLink and plans for three bridges, a foot bridge and highrise development. Many houses in this area were under water in the 1974 flood. House prices have soared yet the facilities such as having proper drainage (storm water), good street lighting and parking have been ignored in the rush to capitalise on this once forgotten part of Ipswich.
More and more properties have been halved and new houses and appartments are going up everywhere yet no allowances have been made for adequate drainage for all this new development. Recent heavy rains saw some houses near Cribb Park flowing with knee deep water, mud and debris on a regular basis. Houses that had weathered earlier rainy seasons easily now flood more frequently due to inadequate drainage. Look carefully before you rent or buy in this area or any area close to the river. Ask the neighbours about the 74 flood and rent or buy above the flood line.
I guess that is why it has such high crime and unemployment. Stand proud and tall by all means. But I wouldn't raise a mongrel yellow dog there let alone my family. 4 years of living there, and it was the worst experience of my life.
Ipswich is a special place in rapid transition.
With new and upgraded roads making times and distances to travel to Brisbane shorter, Ipswich is in a truely unique position. I am certain that it will become the much valued "historical centre of South East Queensland".
Ipswich will experience very high population growth over the next 20 years and the things that Ipswich people have taken for granted for so long such as the many parks, the historic buildings, the wonderful gracious character houses, the great natural environment around the river, and the safe and quiet streets, will be the motivation to attract more people (richer and poorer) to settle there. In fact, the council really has its work cut out to manage that situation and to keep the urban revitalisation positive and balanaced so that all the good things are retained and enhanced.
Over the coming years we will continue to see many the older timber houses extended and most will be renovated far beyond their former glory. Thankfully much of Ipswich's 100+ year old character has been preserved due to the lack of re-development and big commercially driven changes in and around the inner city suburbs over the past 60 years. There are still so many magnificiant colonials and beautiful Queenslanders there.
Unfortunately however, something that will change over time is the present availability of cheap housing and low rents - particularly in the inner city suburbs.
Because Ipswich has its own distinct civic character and history it will never be seen as just a satalite regional centre of Brisbane - it will always be its own "city" - standing proud and tall !!