IPSWICH has scored higher than Tokyo, Singapore and Brisbane to finish fourth in the quality of living index in a recent competition for cities in the Asia-Pacific region.

A study by FDI Intelligence called Asia-Pacific Cities of the Future 2011/12 awarded Ipswich fourth place in the region for quality of living behind Canberra, Wellington (NZ) and Sydney.

FDI Intelligence is a specialist division of London's The Financial Times newspaper and was set up to provide industry with leading insight into globalisation.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said the recognition topped of a big year of national and international awards received by the city.

"The hard work of the past 10 to 15 years is really paying off. Businesses, sporting and community groups and residents have all played their part in helping Ipswich achieve such global recognition," he said.

"Earlier this year The Financial Times of London invited Ipswich City Council to participate in the awards. There were seven sub categories and one overall top 10 ranking category.

"We were successful in achieving a credible fourth place in the Quality of Living Index category, coming in ahead of cities like Auckland, Brisbane, Gosford, Tokyo and Singapore."

The city of Ipswich, the council and local businesses have won numerous awards this year.

At the Keep Australia Beautiful state awards ceremony, Ipswich took out top gong in the Queensland Sustainable Cities and Heritage and Culture categories, and won the Community Action and Partnerships section at the national awards night.

Ipswich was also named among the world's Smart21 cities by the New York-based Intelligent Communities Forum in 2010 and backed up to be included in the prestigious group again this year.

Robelle Domain has also been regularly recognised, taking out prestigious awards from the Urban Development Institute of Australia and Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.