Business Archives - Logan Office of Economic Development

Jobs Expo provides career pathways

11 September 2023/in Business, City of Logan, Jobs and Employment

City of Logan job seekers can lay the foundations for future careers at the annual Logan Jobs Expo this week.

The free event connects those looking for work with local businesses that provide employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities in the construction, manufacturing and trade industries.

The 2023 Logan Jobs Expo is at Logan Metro Sports & Events Centre, 357 Browns Plains Road at Crestmead from 9 am until 2 pm on Thursday, September 14.

Last year’s Expo attracted more than 800 attendees and saw 17 people secure local employment on the day.

This year’s event is expected to attract more than 70 exhibitors.

The Jobs Expo is another initiative of the Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce, which helped 213 people – including 58 youth – find employment in the 2022/23 financial year.

Mayor Darren Power said it would help job seekers of all ages prepare for success.

“Our taskforce was launched in 2021 to empower local job seekers to unleash their potential and take control of their employment journey,” Cr Power said.

Economic Development Chair, Cr Jon Raven said the Expo supports local businesses seeking employment-ready staff.

“We know that growing businesses need good staff to provide great service, which is why we want to help Logan businesses find local staff who are ready to work,” Cr Raven said.

Division 8 Councillor Jacob Heremaia said the Jobs Expo caters for all ages.

“Whether you are a school-leaver, or looking for a career change, there will be plenty of advice and options available,” Cr Heremaia said.

Job seekers can register their attendance at Logan Jobs Expo.

REGISTER NOW

Time to share our brightest visions for city’s golden future

4 September 2023/in Business, City of Logan

When the eyes of the world turn to South East Queensland for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it won’t be just the City of Logan’s sports stars shining bright.

Logan City Council has outlined a plan to help residents, businesses and organisations put their best foot forward, and make the most of the opportunities the Games will bring to the city.

Now, Council wants to hear the community’s best and boldest ideas.

The 2032 City of Logan Legacy Roadmap – including 19 initiatives to set up the city for success – will be released for public consultation on Monday, September 4.

Interested locals will be able to provide their feedback on the plan via Council’s Have Your Say platform, at: haveyoursaylogan.com.au.

Mayor Darren Power said having the world’s biggest sporting event in the city’s backyard was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Our city is perfectly positioned to support and supply the Games, and has talent, experience and cultural advantages,” Councillor Power said.

“Council’s draft Roadmap is a fantastic starting point, but we know we aren’t the only ones with an Olympic-sized passion for the future of our city.

“We want to hear from everyone with ideas on how we can position ourselves for success.”

The 2032 City of Logan Legacy Roadmap focuses on Council’s vision for:

the delivery of new community facilities and infrastructure
stimulating economic growth
improving the health of Logan residents
leveraging the cultural diversity of the local community.

The Have Your Say survey is the first of many community engagement opportunities planned ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Survey participants will be able to contribute their own ideas, and indicate their support for those posed by others.

The survey will close on Monday, October 2.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Logan Plan 2025 – Blueprint for the city

23 August 2023/in Business, City of Logan

Options to create more housing choices, along with a range of policy decisions to manage unprecedented local growth, are key platforms of the new draft Logan Plan 2025, endorsed today for submission to the State Government for their review.

Terrace housing is proposed for the first time as Council looks for different ways to achieve increased density in appropriate locations without the overhead of body corporate fees which apply to most townhouses and unit blocks.

Logan Plan 2025 (LP25), once finalised, will build on what is working well from the current planning scheme (Logan Planning Scheme 2015) as it guides city growth over the next 20 years.

The proposed new policy decisions aim to enhance the liveability, amenity and function of the city, which is one of the fastest-growing areas in South East Queensland.

Proposed changes include:

Promoting high-quality urban design with stronger guidance for subdivisions, apartments, landscaping, urban greening and streetscaping
Providing appropriate employment land where new businesses or industries can be established, and existing ones can grow
Prioritising more housing choices near public transport and major commercial centres
Protecting the city’s heritage by clarifying criteria relating to the preservation and use of places of historical and cultural significance
Introducing a new tourism code to provide confidence for investors, operators and residents to enable appropriate and economy-boosting experiences in the city

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Council also aims to flick the switch on a bustling night-time economy to give residents more local entertainment options after 6pm while putting the brakes on the impacts of service stations on surrounding areas and nearby shopping centres.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said LP25 was essential to manage a future where the local population is projected to surge past 500,000 in the next decade and reach more than 600,000 by 2046.

“New residents are coming in droves to live in our great city, and we need to have a robust, well-balanced Planning Scheme to best manage the serious growth we have ahead of us,” Cr Power said.

“We want to ensure we have quality, well-designed development in the right areas, and in a way which reflects the values of our community.”

Planning Chair, Cr Jon Raven, said the draft LP25 introduced improvements on the previous planning scheme that would better serve the community and local lifestyles.

The new policy positions were shaped by input from the community, Councillors, specialist consultants, the development industry and university researchers.

“We already live in a fantastic city, but we want to make it even better,” Cr Raven said.

“We need to plan for the future so that our residents can benefit from the growth we’re experiencing over the next decade.”

The draft LP25 will now be submitted to the Queensland Government for a mandatory state interest review.

Once that review is completed, Council will share the draft LP25 with the community for consultation. Council will use that feedback to further improve the plan.

A final Queensland Government review follows, before the plan is expected to be adopted in late 2025.

Visit the Logan Plan 2025 Online Portal for more information.

Congratulations to Logan Business Distinction Awards 2023 winners

17 August 2023/in Business, City of Logan

Last week the Logan Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2023 Business Distinction Awards, supported by Diamond Sponsors Logan City Council and Bendigo Bank.

Held at Logan Entertainment Centre, it was a fantastic opportunity to congratulate and celebrate businesses in the City of Logan.

This year, there were 19 industry categories for businesses to nominate for and 6 major awards, and 2 Business of the Year awards.

2023 Major Award Winners

Large Business of the Year – Munster Services
Small Business of the Year – Bee All Natural
Services to the Community – DMH Realty
Accessibility and Inclusiveness – Munster Services, TechPath Pty Ltd
Environmental Conscientiousness & Sustainability – Munster Services
New and Emerging Business – Adopt a Beehive
Most Innovative Business – B&C Plastics
Woman Led Business – Bee All Natural

2023 Industry Category Winners

Automotive and Transport – Wheelnutz Garage
Beauty, Health and Wellbeing – Hedz Up Hair and Beauty
Building, Construction, and Real Estate – DMH Realty
Business-to-Business Services (Large) – TechPath Pty Ltd
Business to Business Services (Small) – Speech Perfect
Creative Industries – The Flower Crew Originals
Charity and non for profit (Large) – Able Australia
Charity and non for profit (Small) – YMCA Schools Breakfast Program
Health and Wellbeing – Bee All Natural
Home Services – Laser Tag in a Box
Hospitality and Events – Simply Beans Coffee Roast Specialists
Manufacturing and Production – Munster Services
Media and Advertising (Large) – Rebel Media
Media and Advertising (Small) – Obsidian Marketing
Medical and Vet Services – Choice Dental Browns Plains
Professional Services – Cornerstone Law Offices
Retail – Simply Beans Coffee Roast Specialists
Technology – TechPath Pty Ltd
Trade Services – Munster Services
Tourism – Hello World Travel Rochedale Shopping Village
Encouragement Award – Stick Mob

See the photos HERE.

Logan Office of Economic Development and Logan City Council proudly support the Logan Business Distinction Awards. We have engaged and supported most of the winners and nominees through their business journey, and would like to congratulate their success.

Night Time Economy Strategy

23 November 2022/in Business, City of Logan, Industry Development

Logan City Council will pave the way for more businesses to open their doors at night, allowing the economy to thrive after the sun goes down.

Council’s Night Time Economy Strategy will include a range of measures to grow the City of Logan after hours, creating a safe, diverse and inclusive city which champions local business.

Council will review costs for businesses applying to open later, and revisit requirements placed on venues such as bars to reduce noise which impacts the surrounding area. Development application fees will be reviewed.

Council will also look to utilise vacant shopfronts as ‘pop-ups’ for businesses and services. Land acquisition for a standalone dining precinct is also being considered.

It is hoped targeted investment attraction funding will encourage large food and entertainment brands to open in the city.

Economic Development Chair, Councillor Jon Raven, is excited about creating new evening dining and entertainment options, while ensuring residents’ safety.

“Our residents and families want to enjoy a night out in Logan and support local businesses rather than travel to another city,” Cr Raven said.

“We can build something tailored for the needs, tastes and budgets of our residents.”

The strategy will also encourage more footpath dining.

Division 10 Councillor and Deputy Economic Development Chair, Miriam Stemp said the strategy was a priority for locals.

“The development of a night time economy has been a common theme from our residents in giving feedback at city centre summits undertaken by Council,” Cr Stemp said.

The strategy follows a month-long public survey answered by more than 300 respondents.

Of those, 67 per cent said they wanted more to do in the city at night, while 50 per cent said they didn’t feel safe after dark.

DoorDash pilots drone delivery in Australia through first-of-its kind partnership with Wing

9 November 2022/in Business, Investment

Alphabet company Wing is taking a first step toward opening their platform so Wing’s drone delivery service can be accessed via third party apps.To kick things off, they’re partnering with global on-demand delivery leader DoorDash for a pilot of this new functionality in Logan, Australia.

Starting this week, selected customers in the City of Logan will be able to order a range of convenience and grocery items, pantry staples, snacks, and household essentials directly through the DoorDash App and have them delivered by a Wing drone, typically in 15 minutes or less. Initially available to a small number of households, Wing will gradually expand availability in the coming months.

We’ve been working on this integration to allow Wing’s delivery service to be accessed through a third party app for some time, and we’re excited to be piloting it for the first time with DoorDash in Australia. It’s yet another step in our efforts to build a drone delivery service that is highly integrable and capable of scaling quickly.

To this end, Wing has already started to transform their operations, moving them closer to retailers so the service can be deployed more quickly, easily, and economically. In Australia, Wing has set up a drone delivery hub on the rooftop of Grand Plaza shopping centre at Browns Plains. In Dallas, they have evolved this concept into their first “store-to-door” operation. And just recently Wing announced an expansion of this model to Australia’s Gold Coast.

We see this new functionality as a logical step on this journey to make drone delivery a plug-and-play option for more businesses and consumers – no matter what app they use.

The pilot program in Logan continues Wing’s advancement in drone delivery services and technologies in the City of Logan, and consolidates Logan’s status as the drone delivery capital of the world.

Wing Blog: DoorDash pilots drone delivery in Australia through first-of-its kind partnership with Wing

Business Launchpad expands to all industries

15 September 2022/in Business

Business Launchpad has had over 27,000 users since it went live with food and beverage and residential construction businesses in March 2021. Logan was one of two pilot cities for the platform, before expanding to other locations. Business Launchpad presents information from the Australian Business Licence and Information Service and improves the user experience to make it easier for businesses and business intenders to manage their licencing requirements.

The Queensland Government has recently announced that Business Launchpad had expanded to all industries.

This means no matter where business operators and intenders are located in Queensland or what industry they are in, they have access to location-specific and industry-specific licencing and regulatory information through Business Launchpad.

The information available on Business Launchpad includes licences, codes of practice, regulatory information and support services across all tiers of government. Each guide is tailored to suit the business and location.

Businesses can sign-in and can come back as licences and permits need renewing.

For further information visit Business Launchpad or call 1300 654 687.

Congratulations to Logan Business Distinction Awards 2022 winners

25 August 2022/in Business, City of Logan

Last week the Logan Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2022 Business Distinction Awards, supported by Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce and Beenleigh-Yatala Chamber of Commerce.

Held at Distillery Road Markets, it was a fantastic opportunity congratulate and celebrate businesses in the City of Logan.

This year, there was 17 industry categories for businesses to nominate for and 6 major awards including the coveted Business of the Year.

2022 Major Award Winners

Business of the Year – B&C Plastics
Inclusiveness – Wheelnutz Garage
Sustainability – Bee All Natural
New and Emerging Business – The Picket Fence
Judges Encouragement Award – Moovn Coffee
Innovation – BathCalm
Community Contribution – DMH Realty

BathCalm team at the Logan Business Distinction Awards 2022

Caroline Woodman of BathCalm and team, winner of the Innovation 2022 Award and Beauty, Health and Wellbeing Award

2022 Industry Category Winners

Automotive and Transport – Browns Plains Mazda
Beauty, Health and Wellbeing – BathCalm
Education, Employment and Training (Large) – Marsden State High School
Education, Employment and Training (Medium) – YMCA Vocational School
Education, Employment and Training (Small) – Dr Karen Lonsdale
Event Services – Big Swing Golf
Financial Services – Bank of Queensland, Jimboomba
For Purpose (Charity and Not For Profits) – YMPCA Vocational School
Hospitality (Small) – Devon Pixies
Hospitality (Medium) – The White House of Waterford
Legal Services – McLaughlin & Associates Lawyers
Manufacturing and Construction – Snapfresh
Media and Advertising – Rebel Connect
Medical Services – Choice Dental, Browns Plains
Professional Services – Sentinel Safety Services
Real Estate, Building and Construction – Clarence Property, The Zone Underwood
Retail – Animal World Pet Resorts
Sports Services – Addictive Pole Fitness
Technology and Innovation – CE Group
Tourism – John Paul College
Trade Services (Small) – Signs Etc
Trade Services (Large) – Munster Services Group
Veterinary Services – Daisy Hill Vet

Bert Van Manen, Federal Member for Forde, Jim Chalmers MP, Federal Member for Rankin, Arwen McGregor of Devon Pixies, winner of the Hospitality (small) Award, and Jon Raven, Division 5 Councillor

Arwen McGregor of Devon Pixies, winner of the Hospitality (small) Award, with Bert Van Manen, Federal Member for Forde, Jim Chalmers MP, Federal Member for Rankin, and Jon Raven, Division 5 Councillor

See the list of winners and photos at the Logan Business Distinction Awards website.

Logan Office of Economic Development and Logan City Council are proud supporters of the Logan Business Distinction Awards. We have engaged and supported most of the winners and nominees through their business journey, and would like to congratulate their success.

Mayor’s Taskforce delivers jobs

21 July 2022/in Business, Jobs and Employment

A taskforce led by City of Logan Mayor Darren Power is kicking goals with job seekers and businesses.

The Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce has already put more than 100 people into work locally.

Launched in November last year, the taskforce aims to reduce unemployment in the city.

That figure has shrunk in the past two quarters to 7.7 per cent, while the annual labour force growth is up to 8.1 per cent – the highest in the region.

The Mayor said his program was making an important difference.

“I’m proud to say the taskforce is achieving some great outcomes for local job seekers and businesses,” Cr Power said.

“It’s putting local people into work, while filling vacancies and easing the burden on employers.

“More than 100 people being placed in work is a great outcome.”

The taskforce has established a network that links businesses and job seekers with employment service providers as well as training and youth organisations.

The loganjobs.com.au website also helps businesses find the right staff.

Meadowbrook plumbing supplier Aquaknect has filled five processing positions thanks to the taskforce, which introduced them to local employment services.

Mayor Darren Power meets Aquaknect General Manager Michael Glover and employee Brendan Churchill.

General manager Michael Glover said the Mayor’s taskforce was a huge help for his business, which was struggling to fill vacancies.

“The taskforce has been sensational, relieving a lot of the pressure for us in finding new and suitable staff,” Mr Glover said.

“It’s been hard trying to get people. They come and then they disappear, or they don’t turn up to begin with.

“With loganjobs.com.au, we picked one new employee up right away. Others came on board soon after.”

The taskforce also stepped in to help Securelux ease the production pressure at its Loganholme factory.

The company, which makes security screens and doors, was short staffed.

The taskforce introduced the firm to local training groups to help fill three vacancies.

Munster Services Group, at Slacks Creek, also placed two young workers into trade apprenticeships thanks to the taskforce, while Meadowbrook company Black Label Blending filled three food processing positions.

Beenleigh firm Residential Scaffold had 23 referrals to a ‘try a trade’ session organised by the taskforce.

The taskforce aims to increase engagement with local schools to further reduce local unemployment.

There are also plans to monitor job vacancies and work with job seekers to apply.

City of Logan businesses that are struggling to find staff can contact the taskforce by emailing paulabailey@logan.qld.gov.au

New look for LOED and new Economic Development Strategy

30 June 2022/in Business, City of Logan

Logan Office of Economic Development has undergone a brand uplift, to align with the new City of Logan brand.

In conducting the brand review and strategy, it was apparent the LOED brand had significant brand equity with stakeholders including local businesses, investors, Councillors, Council staff and government partners. Thanks to the people at the helm and a keen culture of helping businesses seize opportunity in the city, LOED has established itself as a world class office of economic development with an expansive network of decision makers within all levels of Government in addition to key connections in the private sector.

A brand strategy was completed with new logo, style guide and brand statements to guide the team and the way we communicate with our customers.

The brand values underpin our strategy

WE ARE A WELL-CONNECTED, PEOPLE-FIRST AND PURPOSE-DRIVEN COHORT, COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EXPERT ECONOMIC SUPPORT SERVICE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. WITH AN UNDENIABLY LOGAN SPIRIT, WE ARE PROACTIVE, TENACIOUS, RESILIENT AND SUPPORTIVE, MOTIVATED BY PRAGMATICALLY MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR GREAT CITY.

LOED brand USP

EMPOWERING BUSINESSES AND DRIVING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THROUGH TAILORED, EXPERT ECONOMIC SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE.

The rebrand coincides with the release of Council’s Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027, which highlights strategic directions and strategies to maximise economic growth in the City of Logan. As catalysts for growth and innovation, Logan City Council and LOED is well positioned seek, attract, support and enable economic prosperity, and position our city as an emerging centre of economic excellence in South East Queensland.

Our strategic directions are:

Business support: every business matters
Investment attraction: anchors for industry and job development
Emerging industries: capitalising on strengths and growth opportunities
Youth pathways: unlocking Logan’s future
Place development: placemaking and improved amenity

Identified in the LOED rebrand process and Economic Development strategy planning, was an opportunity to improve communications with small to medium-sized businesses in Logan. A Logan Office of Economic Development Facebook page was established in June 2022 to curate and publish content for the specific purpose of communicating and sharing with Logan business owners:

business support information
resources
events

The City of Logan has an opportunity to build on its unique combination of strengths and position itself as a leading local economy in Australia. Achieving that requires effort and energy by government, industry, businesses and the community.

2023 Major Award Winners

2023 Industry Category Winners

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