Responding to social change: The Ipswich context

This note from the Director of the University of Queensland Boilerhouse Community Engagement Centre in Ipswich comments on some responses to disadvantage in Ipswich a city west of Brisbane that has suffered a number of forms of disadvantage and adversity, including floods in 2010:

The Ipswich Local Government Area, in Australia, has a population of ~165,000. It is situated approximately 40 kilometres west of the Queensland capital, Brisbane, and is the state’s oldest provincial city. Settled by Europeans in 1827, and proclaimed a city in 1904, Ipswich’s social and economic background revolved mainly around coal mining, railway workshops and agricultural industries. During the 1970s, these traditional ‘blue collar’ industries experienced decline, with operations either downsizing or closing. Negative social and economic impacts continued into the 1990s and a general sense of decline permeated the city.

However, the twenty-first century quietly heralded a new era of growth for Ipswich with the city population predicted to double to approximately 350,000 by 2026. This population growth, along with associated residential development and job creation, has prompted renewed enthusiasm and pride, and a rejuvenated image for the city. Opportunities and requirements to support the transition phase into this ‘new era’ are being explored. Social change and potential social impact is being discussed. An overview of one emerging area follows, and links to two other projects are provided.

Youth at risk and youth mental health

In response to increasing concerns in this area, agencies are looking at how they can coordinate what are currently disparate services and support to young people in need. Key focus areas being explored or implemented include,

• regional coordination processes,
• enhanced regional engagement with young people,
• creative arts projects and spaces,
• better linked referral processes,
• increased service provision at early stages,
• youth at risk programs (skills development and social interaction),
• focus on developing an evidence base, and
• education and training pathways.

Groups working collaboratively on these initiatives include state and local government agencies, non-government service providers, education providers, and medical agencies.

Other ‘social change’ projects currently underway in Ipswich are described in the following reports:

      Integrated Social Infrastructure Working Group Report

      Ipswich, towards a learning community: A profile, audit and gap analysis for Ipswich LGA