Ipswich Climate Action Group

02/06/2026

🎨♻️ TURNING PLASTIC WASTE INTO A MESSAGE FOR CHANGE ♻️🎨

Ipswich artists and environmental advocates are joining forces this weekend to highlight the impact of plastic pollution through art, education and community action.

Ipswich Climate Action Group is speaking at a free World Environment Day event at the Queen's Park Rotunda this Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm, with this year's global theme focused on ending plastic pollution.

A highlight of the event will be an art competition where artists and community members use plastic waste and recycled materials to create works that raise awareness about pollution. Children will be encouraged to create colourful artworks, while adult entrants will be challenged to produce pieces with a stronger environmental message.

Art has a unique ability to engage people in conversations about complex issues. By transforming discarded plastic into creative works, local artists are helping our community think differently about waste, consumption and our impact on the environment.

The morning will also feature guest speaker Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne, who will discuss plastic pollution from a legislative perspective, alongside presentations from Ocean Crusaders, Scenic Rim campaigners opposing waste incineration, and local advocates speaking about the health impacts of plastics.

Importantly, the event is not just about highlighting the problem. It is also about exploring practical solutions. Visitors will learn simple ways to reduce, reuse and repurpose plastic, and discover circular economy approaches that treat waste as a valuable resource rather than rubbish.

Plastic pollution affects our oceans, wildlife, climate and increasingly our own health. Events like this help build awareness while empowering people to take meaningful action in their everyday lives.

📍 Queen's Park Rotunda, Ipswich
📅 Saturday
⏰ 9.00am to 12.30pm

Come along, be inspired, and help build a cleaner future for Ipswich.

Ipswich artists and environmental advocates are joining forces this weekend to highlight the impact of plastic pollution through art, education and community action. Ipswich Climate Action Group will host a free World Environment Day event Read more

01/06/2026

Sunday, 19th July 2026 1.30pm - ICAG will sponsor the movie, FUTURE COUNCIL, directed by Damon Gameau at Limelight cinemas. "Damon Gameau (2040, That Sugar Film) takes eight kids on the untimate school excursion a road trip across Europe to challenge powerful leaders and find solutions to our greatest ecological challenges. This is a coming-of-age journey that dares to imagine a brighter future. Go to www.icag.org.au/events for ticket information

18/05/2026

Powerline friendly trees for Ipswich and Brisbane 🌳⚡

One of the biggest mistakes people make when planting verge trees is choosing species that eventually grow into powerlines, block visibility, crack footpaths or create ongoing maintenance headaches.

In Ipswich and Brisbane, trees planted near overhead powerlines should generally mature at 3 metres or less within 7 metres of the lines.

Energex recommends choosing smaller growing species and avoiding large fast growing canopy trees.

Here are some genuinely good looking and practical options for local verges and front gardens.

🌸 Crepe Myrtle
A classic small flowering tree with beautiful summer colour and smooth bark. It handles pruning well, stays compact and works well in smaller suburban verges.

Great for:
• bees and pollinators
• seasonal colour
• narrow verges and small yards

🌿 Small Leaved Lilly Pilly
Dense native foliage with edible berries and excellent screening potential. It stays manageable and attracts plenty of birdlife.

Great for:
• native birds
• screening and privacy
• low maintenance native gardens

🌼 Golden Penda
One of the best flowering native trees for subtropical Queensland. Bright yellow flowers attract nectar feeding birds and bees.

Great for:
• lorikeets and honeyeaters
• pollinators
• tropical style gardens

🌺 Ivory Curl Tree
A fantastic North Queensland native with creamy curled flowers and glossy foliage. Excellent for smaller spaces under lines.

Great for:
• bees and butterflies
• compact shady verges
• evergreen structure

🩷 Pink Bottlebrush
Tough, hardy and very wildlife friendly. Bottlebrushes are one of the safest and easiest native choices near services.

Great for:
• honeyeaters
• bees
• habitat gardens

🌳 Native Wisteria Tree
A softer spreading native shade tree that works well where you want filtered shade without huge height.

Great for:
• shade without massive canopy growth
• pollinators
• wildlife gardens

🌿 Tulipwood
A very underrated local native with attractive foliage and yellow seed capsules. Brisbane City Council regularly uses Tulipwoods as street trees because they are reliable and adaptable.

Great for:
• bird habitat
• subtropical streetscapes
• lower maintenance planting

🌺 Coral Gum
A smaller flowering eucalyptus with stunning red and coral flowers. Unlike many gums, this species is more suitable near services when properly positioned.

Great for:
• parrots and honeyeaters
• native pollinators
• feature planting

⚠️ Trees to avoid under powerlines

Avoid planting large species like:
• figs
• camphor laurels
• poplars
• large eucalyptus species
• bamboo near poles or lines

These species quickly become expensive maintenance issues and can create safety risks during storms.

🚶 Safety matters

Always consider:
• pedestrian access
• driveway visibility
• sight lines at intersections
• underground services
• future canopy spread

Brisbane City Council specifically notes that street trees must not obstruct pedestrians, cyclists, road users or overhead services.

🌱 Ipswich free street tree program

Ipswich residents can request free council street trees twice each year through the Street Tree Program.

Requests open:
• February for March and April planting
• June for July and August planting

Council selects suitable species based on the site, nearby utilities and available stock.

🔌 Before planting

Always check:
• Energex Plant Smart guidelines
• underground utilities through Before You Dig Australia
• distance from poles, driveways and crossings

The right tree in the right place means cooler streets, more wildlife and far fewer future problems.

18/05/2026

13/05/2026

Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Share via Email Print Ipswich households can access free compost bins and worm farms under a new Ipswich City Council Organics at Home initiative aimed at reducing the amount of household waste sent to landfill.The program, launching during International Compost A...

11/05/2026

Who should pay for climate damage? Your community or big polluters who are causing the problem and not paying their fair share? Sign our petition if you think that we need a Climate Compensation fund to help communities deal with the intensifying effects of climate change.