Residents can now get around more quickly thanks to the recent opening of a new major connecting road – Australia Avenue.
On May 25, master developer Springfield City Group (SCG) officially completed its construction of the road, transferring ownership to Ipswich City Council as planned.
Australia Avenue runs north to south from Eden Station Drive, Brookwater, to Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central – flowing seamlessly via the existing Trackstar Drive under the Centenary Motorway.
The new direct link between Brookwater and Springfield Central gives locals the option to circumvent the main thoroughfare of Springfield Parkway to the east – which is frequently congested – and improve access to Springfield Central railway station.
Intersecting objectives
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, said Australia Avenue will ease pressure on the surrounding road network and improve access to the Centenary Highway.
“Seventy per cent of Ipswich’s growth is occurring in the corridor between Springfield and Ipswich Central,” she said.
“Australia Avenue will become an important link for easing congestion in this rapidly growing area.”
Roadwork on Springfield Parkway, which extends south along Springfield Greenbank Arterial, includes the much-needed expansion from two to four lanes to improve transport through Brisbane’s fast-growing eastern corridor.
Those upgrades are jointly funded by Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
Residents react
Augustine Heights resident Keegan Peace said connecting with public transport would now be easier.
“Finally! This will mean great access to the train station,” Keegan said.
Navin Chandra, from Spring Mountain, believed the new road would help the traffic.
“Yes! That’s amazing news! A much needed road to ease congestion,” Navin said.
Springfield Runners Group member Shayne Guy concurred with the positive sentiments, saying it was great news and would hopefully take some traffic away from the main roundabout.
Through the first week of operation, however, some local residents said the traffic lights were too slow to change, sharing their experiences on Facebook.
Resident Katie Doyle said the lights needed a vehicle sensor.
“I sat at that intersection this morning on Eden Station Road, waiting for ages for the red light to change, with no traffic going across the green out of Australia Avenue,” Katie said.
Kym Adamson agreed: “Hopefully the timing of the traffic lights have been fixed.”
SCG Executive General Manager of Planning and Infrastructure Brett Wilson welcomed the road’s opening.
“Our growing community enjoys the convenience of life in Greater Springfield and the opening of Australia Avenue will create better traffic conditions in this area,” Mr Wilson said.
“This project, combined with the current Springfield Greenbank Arterial upgrades and the planned duplication of the Augusta Parkway bridge over the Centenary Highway in 2024/25 by Council, continues to ensure traffic is managed in a sustainable way.”
For more information about public and private transport, visit greaterspringfield.com.au/living-and-visiting (Springfield City Group), ipswich.qld.gov.au/explore/getting_around (Ipswich City Council), or tmr.qld.gov.au/travel-and-transport (Transport and Main Roads).
