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Expanding Horizons: Local Government
Mayors of Ipswich, 1970s-1990s
1970-1972 James Thomas Finimore
1973-1979 Arthur George Hastings
1979-1991 Desmond Allan Freeman
1991-1995 David Francis Underwood
1995-1999 Owen John Nugent
Ipswich in the 20th Century, chapter 6.
By the early 1970s, the basic work of roads, water and sewerage was starting to come under control and Council could look beyond the immediate necessities. The first social worker, public relations consultants and town planner were appointed. The word “environment” began to be heard more frequently and an art gallery was opened.
Division System. Source: Ipswich Year Book, Volume 1, 1977-1978, p.47
The division system, introduced in 1964, was discontinued in 1973 and 1976. Under the division system, there were five Divisions, each represented by two Aldermen and the Mayor. From 1973 and 1976, ten Aldermen, plus the Mayor, were elected.
Council Departments were the Department of City Administration, Department of Works, Department of Finance and the Department of Health. The Office of the City Solicitor was established and the first City Solicitor was appointed in August 1977. At this time the Council operated from the following buildings:
- Administration building at 116/122 Brisbane Street.
- 4th floor of the Commonwealth Bank building.
- Temporary accommodation at 41/43 Roderick Street.
- Humanities Building, corner Nicholas and South Streets.
- Civic Hall.
- Municipal Library, corner Nicholas and Limestone Streets.
Ipswich City Council and Moreton Shire Council Amalgamation. Source: Ipswich in the 20th Century, Chapter 6.
In 1994, Local Government Commissioner Greg Hoffman recommended that Ipswich and Moreton Shire Councils should be amalgamated. His stated reasons included that it would provide an opportunity for better planning for the total community, that there would be cost savings and that Moreton residents were already using Ipswich facilities.
Both councils opposed the merger, but had very little say, even in the detail. The amalgamation took place on 11 March 1995. Elections were held and the sitting Moreton Mayor, John Nugent was elected as the first Mayor of the combined area.
Local agitation resulted in further changes in 1998 when Karana Downs and Mt Crosby were transferred to Brisbane and the areas in the extreme south including Rosevale were transferred to Boonah Shire. In 2004, the size of Ipswich was 1205 sq km and the population was around 135,000. There were around 46,500 dwellings.
