A collaborative engagement program was the catalyst for uniting community, businesses and Council to work toward a collective vision for the future of Ipswich Central, planting a seed for a culture of do-it-yourself action.

Client: Ipswich City Council

The City of Ipswich had suffered from years of political challenges, natural disasters and a cycle of decline in tired inner-city neighbourhoods. Community pride and business confidence was low and it was clear to Council that it was time for a new approach.

Driven by a bold cross-departmental Council and consultant collaboration, the Ipswich Central Revitalisation Project started with those most impacted by the current Ipswich climate: businesses and community. Entering the project there were no pre-prescribed outputs. Instead, Fourfold Studio in partnership with Urban Enquiry and Vee Design, undertook a highly collaborative visioning and engagement process that built on projects already in motion, complemented by community input, to develop a clear road-map for the next 25-years of Ipswich.

The output was in the form of a Positioning Framework supported by precinct scale Place Plans. To change the pace of transformation, the team channelled local energy into the creation of a new grassroots community group to partner with Council and support the implementation of actions identified within the Place Plans, ensuring they are not left gathering dust. Within months of completion, this project has already catalysed the energy of the proud residents and businesses and has attracted discussions about potential partnerships with State Government. Teams that were once working in silos have connected to ensure all sectors can gain the most value from the output and that both short-term and long-term projects are tackled as one Council and one community.