TRADITIONAL circuses which use exotic animals have been banned in Ipswich after the local council voted 6:5 to permanently outlaw them from city limits.

Local councillor Paul Tully said the council had voted 6:5 to support a ban, making Ipswich the first council in Queensland to outlaw circuses with exotic animals.

"We always knew this was going to be a close vote", Cr Tully said.

He said the vote  was in line with moves by the RSPCA to ban animal circuses across Queensland.

Cr Tully said the ban was a defining moment in Queensland history.

"This is the beginning of the end of animal circuses in Queensland," Cr Tully said.

He said the vote meant that 43 local authorities across Australia now banned animals circuses.

Circuses with human performers would always be welcome in Ipswich, he said.

Bron: News.com