Date:      11.02.08

Source: Press Release

The booming master-planned city of Greater Springfield will be home to a world-class public parklands, named Robbell Domain,  which will become the “green heart and lungs” of the city.

Springfield Land Corporation chairman, Maha Sinnathamby, announced that plans for the 24 hectare parklands would proceed, following news that the Queensland Government would contribute $5.9m in funding and offer a further $5m interest-free loan to Ipswich City Council.

The Ipswich City Council has valued the project at between $45 and $50million. Earthworks will start in June, with the parklands expected to be opened in the last quarter of 2009. It will be the most significant urban regional parkland in a generation in South-East Queensland and one of the most innovative in Australia.

Mr Sinnathamby welcomed the contribution from the State Government and Ipswich City Council to the Town Parklands, which will be 50 percent bigger than Roma Street Parklands, in Brisbane.

“Robbell Domain will be the ‘Central Park’ of South-East Queensland, offering a massive boost to Greater Springfield and the entire Western Corridor, which will service a regional population of over 500,000 people,” said Mr Sinnathamby.

“The development of these innovative parklands is expected to create up to 255 direct jobs during construction and a further 275 indirect jobs in SEQ region, as well as additional full-time maintenance jobs upon completion.

“The parklands will promote the main themes of Greater Springfield throughout its design, such as sustainability, technology, education and health and wellness.

“We expect it could attract around half a million visitors a year. I’m confident it will become a social and cultural focal point for the entire region and I have no doubt that it will be a key community asset for generations to come.”

Features are expected to include:

·         waterfall

·         South Bank-style feature pool

·         amphitheatre, plazas and squares for local workers as well as visitors

·         water garden terraces

·         walkways and bikeways

·         cascades and pools

·         children’s adventure play

·         BBQ and picnic facilities, lawns, kiosk, parking

·         public art area

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Continued – Springfield to build…

Rob bell Domain will be open seven days a week and will be free to the public. It will be the scene of numerous entertainment and cultural activities, with up to six special events to be held every year.

There is no existing or further identified open space serving the Western Corridor of the scale or quality proposed for the Parklands.

Mr Sinnathamby said the decision to proceed with the parklands was another vote of confidence by the Queensland Government in a region which will handle much of the growth in South East Queensland for the next 20 years.

“On behalf of the entire Springfield community I want to thank Premier Anna Bligh, and the Ipswich City Council for their contribution and initiative in bringing this important green space to life,” Mr Sinnathamby said.

Springfield Land Corporation is donating the land and will pay for part of the capital works.

-end-

About Springfield Land Corporation

Springfield Land Corporation is the master-planner of the $15 billion plus 2860 hectare Greater Springfield project. Acquired in 1992, Greater Springfield encompasses four suburbs and a CBD area.  With $450+ million being spent annually on the Greater Springfield project, and three families moving to Greater Springfield every day, it is no wonder it is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.  Additional information about Springfield Land Corporation and its Greater Springfield project is available at www.greaterspringfield.com.au <http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/>

For media enquiries contact:

Jodie Curtis

Marketing Services Executive

Springfield Land Corporation Pty Ltd

Tel: (07) 3819 9902

Mb: 0409 725 907

Email: j.curtis@murgroup.com.au

Visit our website: www.greaterspringfield.com.au

Ian Eckersley

Principal Consultant

Three Plus

Tel: (07) 3503 5700

Mob: 0430 102922

 Email: ian@threeplus.com.au

About Springfield Land Corporation

Springfield Land Corporation is the master-planner of the $15 billion plus 2860 hectare Greater Springfield project. Acquired in 1992, Greater Springfield encompasses four suburbs and a CBD area.  With $600+ million being spent annually on the Greater Springfield project, and three families moving to Greater Springfield every day, it is no wonder it is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.  Additional information about Springfield Land Corporation and its Greater Springfield project is available at www.greaterspringfield.com.au <http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/>