Ipswich is a suburb and a major urban centre of metropolitan Brisbane Queensland, Australia approximately south-west of the Brisbane CBD in South East Queensland. The City of Ipswich including surrounding suburbs has an estimated population of 162,383.
Once a large independent city, Ipswich and its suburbs were absorbed by Brisbane's south west urban sprawl along the railway and freeway corridors during the mid 20th century. However the city has retained its municipal status and along with it an independent history and culture. The city is situated on the Bremer River and the urban area extends along the river's hilly valley. Ipswich is a major commercial and industrial area, with the Ipswich CBD one of the largest activity centres outside of central Brisbane. It is currently undergoing major transit oriented urban renewal which was first planned in the Ipswich Regional Centre Strategy.More
Economy
Ipswich was a major mining centre, particularly coal mining. The city is the 'cradle of coal mining in Queensland'. Other secondary manufacturing industries included earthenware works, sawmills, abattoirs and foundries, while the region is also rich agriculturally.
Ipswich is the site of RAAF Base Amberley, the Royal Australian Air Force's largest operational base. RAAF Amberley is currently home to No. 1 and No. 6 Squadrons flying F-111 strike aircraft. These aircraft will be decommissioned in December 2010 and have been replace by the FA-18E/F Super Hornet. In addition a number of ground support units are located at Amberley. The airbase is currently being expanded and will eventually also house No. 33 Squadron (flying Airbus A330 MRTT tanker-transports) and No. 36 Squadron (flying C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft) and several Army units.More