IPSWICH is emerging as South East Queensland’s top spot for industrial development, with more future industrial land than Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Moreton Bay combined.
A new report from the Property Council of Australia highlights a shortage of industrial land across Greater Brisbane, with Ipswich holding the largest share of land for future projects. Amidst a significant shortage of industrial land across South East Queensland, the City of Ipswich has emerged as the region’s future industrial hub with the potential to unlock more industrial land than Brisbane, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay combined.
A report released by the Property Council of Australia has raised the alarm on the significant lack of future industrial land across Greater Brisbane as it continues to grow rapidly, noting the City of Ipswich holds the majority of the region’s future supply of industrial land.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the report came as no surprise as major businesses continued to gravitate to Ipswich to take advantage of its population growth, proximity to major freight routes, as well as its current supply of industrial land.
“Ipswich has more greenfield industrial land on offer than any other council in South East Queensland, and as the region grows into the future, we continue to offer opportunities to expand our industrial footprint,” said Mayor Harding.
“In recent years, we have welcomed major investment from global and national companies such as Coles, Australia Post, Loreal, Suntory Oceania and Bapcor as they relocate their Queensland manufacturing and distribution centres to Ipswich.
“Most recently, we announced the arrival of Officeworks to Ipswich as they commenced construction of a new 77,100 sqm facility at Redbank Motorway Estate. The location was a strategic choice, with this site enabling Officeworks access to 2.8 million consumers within a 60-minute drive.
“As the region continues to grow, Ipswich offers the ability to unlock new industrial opportunities such as the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area.
“The Ebenezer area has the potential to unlock 3,500 full time jobs for Ipswich residents across high-value industries including manufacturing, transport, postal and warehousing, as well enabling more industrial land to support the growth of South East Queensland.”
Queensland Property Council Executive Director Jess Caire said the region needed a clear plan to provide well-located industrial land across South East Queensland to avoid an inflationary impact on the cost of goods.
“Queensland is in the midst of responding to a housing crisis, delivering on the Olympics and constructing a record infrastructure pipeline, however, one shortage that does not receive the attention it deserves is our critical undersupply of employment land,” said Ms Caire.
“The groceries we order, the products we buy and materials we need to service demand are all developed in and transported through warehouses, distribution centres and manufacturing facilities.
“If we do not have a plan to unlock job creating industrial development then the price of industrial land will increase, rents will increase, and Queenslanders will have to bear the cost.
“While unlocking new opportunities such as the Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area are part of the solution, it is essential we adopt a balanced and holistic approach across the entire region and cater for future supply in areas proximate to demand, transport networks and jobs.”
More information on the Property Council of Australia’s report, No room to grow – Industrial Land Supply and Vacancy Report, is available here.
