South East Queensland is home to over 3.5 million people. It is one of the fastest growing regions in the nation and a vital component to accommodating Australia’s sustained population growth. In 2017 the Queensland Government identified and protected a public transport corridor between Ipswich and Springfield via Ripley. When complete, the project will support population and economic growth and deliver the Government’s long-term vision for the South East Queensland rail network.

In the development of a business case for Ipswich Council, Mecone were tasked investigate and report on the city shaping transformative opportunities that could be unlocked from heavy rail transport investment in the corridor. This included identifying the economic, social and sustainability benefits that could be achieved by better connections within the LGA to the wider region. Mecone’s task included:

• Investigating and analysing the travel patterns, employment and socio-economic profile of Ipswich LGA residents and workers;
• Working with urban designers Roberts Day to understand and quantify how current transport constraints may limit the realisation of the land use vision for the Ripley Valley growth area;
• Identifying how connecting the two employment centres of Ipswich and Springfield would improve their economic relationship and benefit the brader region;
• Mapping the expansion of the 30-minute city across the corridor;
• Presenting City Shaping concepts with clear graphics, maps and in a concise report.