THERE'S no question that Riverlink's opening in 2007 was the final nail in the coffin for an already bruised and battered Ipswich Mall.

The steady procession of businesses across the river since then has turned our beloved Nicholas St into a sad shadow of its former self.

Many of those businesses that didn't relocate to Riverlink have struggled to survive the last nine years, while some have shut up shop all-together.

Poor old Ipswich City Square has long-resembled the set of some kind of a post-apocalyptic zombie film, where everyday people dare not venture.

For someone who grew up here it has been a depressing devolution to witness - a rapidly growing city with a decaying heart - and for those from outside, I'm sure it doesn't paint us in a particularly good light.

News that something will be done about the Ipswich Mall is not only a relief, but long overdue.

Experience has taught me not to get my hopes up, but the mall redevelopment, if and when it happens, can only be an improvement on what we see in the CBD today.

If it is done well it will hopefully bring some pride back to those who have remained loyal to the centre of Ipswich over the years.

With that will hopefully come increased business and prosperity.

I think most people will welcome the changes that are to come.