Australia’s oldest distillery lends a hand for Logan community

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With the bottle shops being inundated you’d be right to think Beenleigh Rum would be increasing their rum production.

But no, the Logan icon has all but stopped the production of rum to focus on producing high-strength ethanol to ensure a much-needed supply of hand sanitiser during the COVID-19 crisis.

Steve Magarry, the distillery’s Production Manager, said it was another way Beenleigh Rum was helping Logan and the broader community in times of crisis.

He said the latest effort first came about in an effort to ensure the health and safety of staff at the distillery.

“Typically we produce two products here at the distillery, which are rum and high-strength ethanol for food and beverage purposes,” he said.

“At the moment we’ve actually halted rum production to focus on the high-strength ethanol.

“With the demand for hand sanitiser, we decided to look into making our own as ethanol is the key ingredient of sanitiser.”

After producing it for staff, it was then intended to be made for retail and to be sold through their sister company, Wheel & Barrow.

“When the Queensland Government approached us we were happy to help and we are now supplying them with 20-litre drums of sanitiser,” Mr Magarry said.

Mark Sawyers – Distiller

Mr Magarry said the distillery had also felt the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak having shut down tours and the visitor centre.

“Fortunately the increased ethanol production has meant we have been able to redeploy staff and utilise them in other areas,” he said.

When asked about whether there may be a rum shortage, Mr Magarry was firm that supplies were fine.

“Absolutely not, there is no shortage of rum,” he said.

“In the coming weeks and months we will re-evaluate and look to return to our normal production.”

See also: A double rum… but not as we know it – Queensland Government Press Release

City of Logan’s COVID-19 relief package to assist community and business

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Logan City Council has announced a financial support package to provide immediate and long-term support to its community and business owners impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Logan Economic Response Package will provide immediate assistance for rate payers, suspend debt recovery measures and prioritise procurement for local business operators.

Council will also redirect $200,000 from the Community Project Grants budget into an Emergency Relief Fund, as part of a broader Community Relief Package.

The Fund will help to cover costs of providing goods and resources immediately to those in hardship and those who have already been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

Key components of the support plan include:

  • An additional interest free period is in place for the April – June quarter rates and charges notice (to September 30).
  • Council’s existing hardship arrangements for residential property owners will be extended to all ratepayers.
  • Council will cut its invoice payment time by half with 14-day payments to contractors.
  • A 50 per cent refund for operational (licence) fees paid since July last year for nearly 1300 businesses including hospitality and food operators, hotels and motels, manufacturers and a range of other businesses.
  • Fees will be waived for any new applications received up until August 31 this year.
  • Three months of lease fees will be waived to external operators engaged to manage Council-owned venues.
  • Annual lease fees for not-for-profit organisations who lease a Council community leased facility will be waived for 2020.
  • Organisations operating from a Council community leased facility (and have none or less than 15 gaming machines), will have their existing levels of Council remissions increased to 100 per cent for the January to March 2020 billing period (billed in April 2020).
  • Financial relief for more than 180 sport, recreation and community organisations within Logan that have memberships in excess of 40,000 people, through lease fee waivers.
  • Future initiatives will be investigated and considered as part of Council’s 2020/21 Budget processes.

Logan City Council Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea, said Council had a civic and moral responsibility to support the local community during this challenging time.

“Council is reaching out to its residents and the business community to offer support and assistance,” she said.

“While all levels of government have a support role to play, Council has a unique position as the leading agency within the Logan community.

“We are here to support our residents and businesses in whatever way possible. This includes job opportunities for locals by revising our procurement process and relieving pressure on household budgets.”

Ms O’Shea said Council’s support and assistance packages were designed to help Logan residents and business tap into social funding and economic stimulus initiatives already announced by the Federal and State government.

These include the Federal Government’s First ($17.6 billion) and Second ($66 billion) Stimulus Packages and the State Government’s $4 billion support package.

For business owners, the Logan Office of Economic Development (LOED) has established a support team to respond to the emerging needs of the business community.

It will include mentors who are available to provide tailored support including financial mentoring and business planning.

Ms O’Shea said the Logan community was strong and resilient but conceded monumental challenges would bring some uncertainty.

Her message is “together we will get through this”.

“My thoughts are with everyone doing it tough, from business owners to those who may have lost jobs, mums and dads, grandparents and children, many of whom are experiencing hardship,” she said.

“Also spare a thought for the hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly for charity organisations around the city who ensure some of our most vulnerable members of the community are supported.

“It’s going to take a dedicated and carefully managed approach and all of us joining together to help support – then reignite – our communities, our businesses and our economy.”

For details on community support, emergency relief, donations and the latest update on Council services go to logan.qld.gov.au/covid-19

Stage 1 commences on $60 million Berrinba mixed-use development

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Queensland developer De Luca Corporation have begun construction on a large scale $60 million mixed-use development project in Berrinba called Berrinba Central.

Founder and Managing Director Nic De Luca said, “This is an extremely exciting time as we have made a speedy and significant commencement on Stage 1 securing an excellent tenant mix”.

Just 30 minutes to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Berrinba Central is located on the corner of Browns Plains Road and Wayne Goss Drive servicing a population of over 41,300 growing at 2.9% per annum.

The location is perfect for the growing needs of the area with over 30,000 cars currently travelling past the site each day and an expected increase to 37,000 cars by 2026.

Tenants who are now committed to the site include; United Fuel Petroleum, Pie Face, Sparkles Car Wash, Bridgestone Tyres and Starbucks. Stage 1 is 90% pre-committed with only one 600sqm service retail vacancy remaining.

The site is currently going through bulk earthworks and service upgrades with Stage one due for completion late 2020.

The Master plan for Stage 2 is currently being finalised and earmarked to include a tavern / club, short term accommodation and bulky goods / retail.

“We are gearing up to move into Stage 2 of the project in the second half of 2020 with new tenant pre commitments currently being finalised and we hope to have the entire development completed by the end of 2021” Mr De Luca said. “Having only settled the site in late 2019, this is an excellent outcome for the project and the Logan area”.

Mitchell Willett of De Luca Corporation is the Leasing Agent for the remainder of this project.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Cherie Kelly    [E] ckelly@deluca.com.au

Berrinba Central Render

About Berrinba Central

Located within the heart of one of the fastest growing areas of South East Queensland, the development is centrally located between Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich, with easy access to the Logan Motorway and the Mt Lindesay Highway.

It is surrounded by the neighbouring suburbs of Browns Plains, Heritage Park, Marsden, Park Ridge and Regents Park as well as the employment hubs of SouthWest 1 Enterprise Park and Crestmead Industrial Estates.

The site is also located within the Berrinba Mixed Industry Business Area, the commercial and industrial lands which extend between Wembley Road at Logan Central and Browns Plains Road, Berrinba.

New $70m industrial precinct for Meadowbrook

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Work has commenced on a new $70 million industrial development in Meadowbrook, which will ultimately feature 19 warehouses with immediate access to the Logan Motorway.

The project, to be called M6 Connect, will be built on the final 10 hectares of a 100 hectare industrial land holding which commenced development in 1986.

The final site remains under the ownership of the Brisbane-based Hoare family, operating as Beal Street Industrial Park.

The family has joined forces with property firm Development Directive to realise the potential of what is now the final industrial development opportunity in Meadowbrook, with plans to fill a gap in the market for spec and custom built warehouses.

Development Directive is a full-service property firm offering an end-to-end solution, including identifying developable sites, arranging approvals and project management through to delivery of the finished product.

Development Directive has contracted Pensar Infrastructure to complete civil works across the site, which is expected to be completed by September this year, paving the way for construction of warehouses in the first stage.

The first six warehouses will be spec built, with all other lots open to custom builds to suit tenant requirements.

Development Directive director Lachlan Macgregor says M6 Connect will meet demand from companies in the logistics and distribution space looking for a central location and flexible options for short and long term leaseholds.

“The Development Directive model is to identify gaps in the market and then find the perfect site to deliver the right project, and M6 Connect fits this criteria by creating new industrial leasing opportunities in the sought after Gold Coast to Brisbane corridor,” he said.

“Meadowbrook is a well established industrial area, and M6 Connect will be the last industrial estate to be built here, so it really is the final opportunity for businesses to get a foothold in this precinct.

M6 Connect site in Meadowbrook

M6 Connect site in Meadowbrook

“In recent years, a lot of the focus in industrial development has been on vacant land sales with few spec built projects on offer – especially for those looking to lease rather than purchase.

“It’s particularly rare to have an opportunity to lease a custom built warehouse in a brand new development.

“We are intending to offer the lots individually, however tenants will have the ability to amalgamate lots to suit business requirements.

“We are completing the entire civil works program up front, so all sites will be fully serviced and ready for builders to move on site and build warehouses to meet demand.”

M6 Connect is being marketed by Savills and Cushman & Wakefield.

Savills agent Peter Trikamji says M6 Connect offers a range of lot sizes to suit a variety of uses.

“We have already had enquiries from businesses in the commercial cleaning, freighting and logistics hire industries, which are all circling M6 Connect due to its proximity to the Logan Motorway, with easy access to the interchanges for the M1 and Gateway motorways,” he said.

“Sites range from 1,500sqm to almost 6,000sqm, so they are suitable for small to medium scale businesses.

“The project offers value, with leasing rates expected to range from $125 to $140 per square metre.”

Cushman and Wakefield agent Freddie Donne says the industrial market has shown a trend towards quality spec built product.

“In the past 18 months or so we have seen an uptick in interest in spec built offerings. Developers are finding they are able to lease spec built projects ahead of completion,” he said.

“We expect to see continued interest in M6 Connect from businesses looking to move from areas like Acacia Ridge, Slacks Creek and Underwood, which have older warehouses and don’t have the benefit of upgraded infrastructure.

“The ability to lease these spaces also gives businesses greater agility to respond to market activity.”

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES, CONTACT SHEREE BREUST, PROMEDIA, ON (07) 55932 011

Major new office development to start construction next month

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Construction will start next month on the first major commercial office development in Beenleigh.

InvestLogan and Alder Developments have received development approval from State Government and local council to proceed with The York, at 96-98 York St.

The approval allows for an underground carpark and a winter garden overhanging the street.

InvestLogan Chairman Steve Greenwood said the approval for the seven-storey building was an exciting step forward for project partners and the people of Beenleigh.

“We are extremely pleased with this outcome and look forward to getting the project under way in what will be a catalyst for the revitalisation of Beenleigh,” he said.

“The built form of the development pays tribute to Beenleigh’s rich history, urban structure and rural setting in both building form, colour and materials.

“The development is designed to provide a modern interpretation of the distinctive character of Beenleigh’s historic buildings with elements like the winter gardens protecting the street like an awning, while enabling passive surveillance of the active spaces and streetscape.”

Artists impression of The York building in Beenleigh

The York will have 156sq m of ground floor retail, 452sq m of study or home office space and 4003sq m of office space as well as two levels of underground carparking with 10 short term car parks for public use.

It is the first new major commercial office building to be constructed in Beenleigh in the last decade, the project is expected to bring 140 new full-time jobs and 100 construction jobs to the area.

General manager of Alder Developments Greg Tupicoff said preliminary works have commenced to prepare the site for construction and he anticipates work will start in April.

John Lane access and York St access will remain open to pedestrians and vehicles throughout the construction period.

To read more about The York, click here.

Investors sought for Logan’s whitewater park vision

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Logan City Council has approved an Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign as the next step towards the city’s proposed Olympic-standard whitewater park.

The campaign will test the market for private sector interest in the project.

In building a business case for the facility, Council examined delivery models of existing whitewater park operations around the world.

That investigation found a public-private partnership or joint venture to be the best way forward.

As a result, the EOI will explore options not only for construction and operations investment but also the management of the facility.

Logan City Council Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea said an EOI campaign was the logical next step after extensive research and planning into the proposed facility over a number of years.

“There has been an evidence-based approach to this exciting project from the outset, Ms O’Shea said.

“The learnings acquired so far, and the feedback we expect from the EOI, will ensure Council is well-placed to make decisions on a Queensland-first facility that has the potential to deliver significant economic and recreational benefits to the city.”

Potential investors, operators and a range of users from elite athletes, governing bodies and emergency services have already shown interest in the project since Council conducted a Pre-Feasibility Study last year.

Three-time World Cup freestyle kayak champion Jez Blanchard said a world-class whitewater facility in Logan would be a huge asset for city and the wider community.

“Athletes and coaches from all over the world will be drawn to train on the course that will be open year round,” he said.

“Emergency services will also be able to train for swift water rescues.

“There is currently only one specialist white water facility in Australia and that is already 20-years-old.

“To have a top-of-the range, new facility in Queensland is extremely exciting.”

The proposed Logan Whitewater Park aligns with the Logan Destination Management Plan and priorities in Council’s Corporate Plan.

The business case for the facility also aligns with Building Queensland’s comprehensive Business Case Development Framework.

That allows the project to be considered by the State and Federal governments for funding consideration as an infrastructure proposal.

Logan City Council is a partner to South-East Council of Mayors’ feasibility study into a possible bid for the 2032 Olympic Games.

Facilities such as a world-class whitewater park and the recently renovated $3.3 million Doug Larsen Park Olympic-standard BMX freestyle facility would put the City of Logan well-placed to be involved in any future major sporting events.