Budget: Bright future builds on today’s hard work

/in ,

The record $1.014 billion ‘Building on today for a brighter tomorrow’ budget celebrates the positive attributes residents love about the city – a city that is smart, active, safe, green and growing.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said Council was leading the way in South East Queensland by delivering critical infrastructure and quality services to the community.

“We enjoy something special in the City of Logan,” Councillor Power said.

“Where else can you enjoy urban and rural lifestyles, first-class facilities and a caring and connected community?

“Our city is affirming its reputation as forward-thinking and ambitious. We are not afraid to chase greatness.

“Council is ahead of the game with recent investments in state-of-the-art technology to turn sewage into energy and fertiliser, as well as the new Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct.

“Our business community is also becoming more innovative and entrepreneurial with emerging industries choosing to move to Logan for our ideal location and ready and reliable workforce.

“When we build on what we’ve already achieved, we can create a brighter future for coming generations, and that’s what today’s budget delivers.”

The 2022/2023 Budget invests in grassroots sport, the environment, innovation and infrastructure.

This includes:

  • $38 million over five years to improve facilities at local sports clubs, with ongoing funding after that
  • $9 million towards building an advanced recycling facility at Browns Plains in partnership with Ipswich and Redland councils
  • Ongoing investment to develop the skills of young entrepreneurs
  • $224.7 million in the essential road and water infrastructure for a rapidly growing population.

As this year’s budget was prepared, Cr Power said his fellow Councillors recognised the value of investing money in programs that bring long-term success to the city.

“We’ve really considered where we should allocate money so that it doesn’t just benefit people over the next 12 months,” he said.

“By planning towards how we want our city to look in the next five to 10 years, we’ve identified funding allocations that will improve quality of life and create a brighter tomorrow.”

Governance Chair, Deputy Mayor Natalie Willcocks, said Council continues to deliver an array of services to the community with efficiency, despite costs increasing.

“This year, we’ve seen the Brisbane CPI increase by 6 per cent in a year to the end of March, and everyone is feeling the impacts of higher fuel prices, including us.

“Additionally, the cost of materials for construction is through the roof, and we wear those costs when delivering infrastructure for the city.

“Council seeks alternative funding sources wherever possible, including grants from other levels of government, so we can keep rate rises to a minimum.

“Whether you visit our libraries, aquatic or sports centres, one of our many parks, play sport, turn on a tap, have a furry friend, put rubbish in your wheelie bin, visit a waste and recycling facility or drive on our roads, you are using facilities and services that need to be funded.

“Council staff deliver these services with a smile and are committed to the well-being of our community.

“We are proud of what we’re announcing in today’s budget, and I am proud of what we are delivering.

“And I thank my fellow Councillors and the Council staff who’ve worked hard behind the scenes for their diligence, support and advice.”

Key numbers from this year’s budget include:

  • A 2.49 per cent bottom line increase for ratepayers on the minimum general rate – $70.30 a year, or $1.35 a week (excludes state bulk water charge)
  • A 4.29 per cent increase to the annual pensioner remission, providing $379.20 for those on a full pension and $189.60 for a part-pension
  • A 5 per cent discount for prompt payment
  • No increases to the Council components of water and sewerage charges
  • A $7 increase to the annual environment levy
  • A 2.5% increase to the community services charge
  • An expected modest operating surplus of $3.65 million (at June 30, 2023)
  • Borrowings of $69 million and loan repayments of $20.3 million

Read more about the budget at logan.qld.gov.au

To watch our Budget video go to https://youtu.be/CW67zt1rZlQ

Field Trip Builds Bridges

/in ,

City of Logan high school students have gone on an excursion of a different kind.

Students from several Logan schools have visited local businesses to get a taste of working life and hear the stories of business leaders and innovators.

The event is an initiative of Mayor Darren Power’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce, coordinated by the Logan Office of Economic Development, CityStudio and Catapult.

The taskforce aims to develop programs with employers, service providers and training organisations to ensure the skills being taught align with available local jobs.

Some of the 15 local businesses that took part in the bus tour include Munster Services Group, Frontline Manufacturing, Struddys and Evolve Group.

Mayor Power said Council wants to introduce local businesses to their future workforce.

“The connections being made today will help grow the city for years to come,” Mayor Power said.

“We hope students will get some idea of their future career options while businesses will get the opportunity to understand the wants and needs of their future employees.

“The businesses chosen for the tour come from a variety of backgrounds to give the students plenty of options to consider.

“My Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce has a strong focus on enhancing employment opportunities for Logan youth and this is just one of many strategies we’re using to support economic development and jobs growth.”

The taskforce, chaired by the Mayor, has developed a Local Jobs Action Plan to:

  • Identify key employment priorities and local labour needs
  • Support and drive employment and training opportunities across Logan
  • Implement programs and solutions to address local workforce issues
  • Investigate improving the LoganJobs platform

The taskforce will continue to pursue Australian and Queensland Government funding to support its work.

Facade Improvement Program to improve street appeal of businesses and centres

/in

Businesses, shops and cafés can benefit from a new Logan City Council program which aims to enhance the local shopping and dining experience for residents and visitors.

The program will assist with upgrades and repairs to awnings, shutters and façades to improve the appeal of an area, boost streetscape amenity and increase pedestrian traffic.

It is also hoped the program will foster more footpath dining across the city, encourage greater use of greenery and result in the reinstatement of heritage features where applicable.

Under the Logan Façade Improvement Program (FIP), Council will fund $2 for every $1 spent by an applicant to a maximum $5000 investment by Council on any single project.

The program is open to property owners and tenants with ground-floor, open-to-the-public premises in areas zoned as Neighbourhood or Local Centres. This includes many popular retail and dining precincts across the city.

There will also be a special focus on those businesses and shops within the Logan Central Local Plan boundaries.

Applicants for funding will be assessed under criteria that includes:

  • The impact the works will have on the area
  • Community value of the upgrade
  • Value for money
  • Quality of the proposed improvements
  • Use of local suppliers to deliver the works

Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven urged eligible local businesses to get involved in the program.

“This program is designed to reinvigorate our smaller centres across the city as welcome spaces draw people to an area and help them feel safe,” Councillor Raven said.

“As businesses look forward to a post-COVID recovery, Council wants to incentivise them to invest in their street frontage to improve the look of an area and attract more customers.”

Interested applicants are advised to email PlaceManagement@logan.qld.gov.au or call Council on 3412 3412 to discuss if their proposal aligns with the objectives of the program.

Applications are open for round 1 funding between January 17 2022 and March 18 2022. For more information visit Council’s website.

Join the Logan Travel the World Passport

/in ,

The City of Logan is a booming hub of some of the best food from around the world just waiting to be explored. From the familiar favourites of Indian, Chinese and Thai to the emerging Korean, Burmese, African, Arabic and Pacifica cuisines.

There are hundreds of hospitality businesses to be found across the city, many of which are family owned and operated by hard working and passionate locals and we are excited about educating the community about the great offerings we have.

The ‘Travel the World’ campaign, an initiative of local Rebecca Cobbing from Nom Nom Logan, is about getting exposure for these businesses and encouraging the local community to discover and experience the city’s amazing foodie scene.

Local food businesses are invited to participate in the initiative and can sign up now with the campaign running from January to March 2022.

Find out more information on how to join the program.

The campaign will be free for Logan food businesses and will contribute to developing and promoting the growing food ecosystem in Logan which is an outcome of the Logan Food Tourism Development Plan.

Sharing the messages and stories of our local hospitality businesses is important as it encourages consumers to think about the local food experiences before buying anywhere else.
This money spent in Logan is more likely to be reinvested into the local economy and support local jobs.

The Travel the World in Logan passport is an initiative by Nom Nom Logan, supported by Logan City Council.

Food businesses unite for shared vision

/in ,

Local businesses have come together to explore ways to be involved in the City of Logan’s expanding food ecosystem.

Loganly Grown was launched recently to connect local growers, makers, suppliers and innovators.

The Logan City Stories: Businesses Doing Good session was an interactive event hosted by the city’s newest innovation incubator Homebase, run by Griffith University and supported by Logan City Council.

Participants met potential collaborators and discovered ways to further promote their businesses.

New business owner Sujauddin Karimuddin, from Rua Haung Café in Woodridge, shared his inspirational story with the gathering.

Mr Karimuddin is a former refugee from Burma (now Myanmar) who lived in Malaysia and Thailand, where he helped other refugees, before coming to Australia in 2005.

He learned how to make street food while living South East Asia and now sells some of those dishes in his café.

Mr Karimuddin said the role food can play in nourishing the soul and spirit helped drive the vision for his North Rd café.

He also has plans to develop a place for healing, music and art.

“I want to create a community space next door for open-mic style cultural storytelling and bring different ethnic communities together to develop the soul of the community,” he said.

Mr Karimuddin said his café takings also help support refugees in Malaysia, Bangladesh and Burma.

Mayor Darren Power with Sujauddin

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said it was great to see so many business owners passionate about continuing to expand the local food economy.

“Our abundance of opportunities will help us build a system that works together so everyone rises,” Councillor Power said.

Cr Power said Council had set a target to make Logan the multicultural food capital of Queensland within five years.

“We have 217 ethnic communities giving us all right ingredients to attract foodies from across the state and country,” he said.

Council will now explore the suggestions made by participants at last week’s launch event to guide future activities, events and initiatives for Loganly Grown.

Spirits of the Red Sand wins Gold at Tourism Awards

/in , ,

Beenleigh-based Spirits of the Red Sand has won gold for Best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism experience at the 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards, in recognition of their outstanding achievements and resilience over the past two challenging years.

Spirits of the Red Sand is a relatively new addition to the tourism offerings in Queensland, however that is not stopping them from punching above their weight to win Gold for Best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism experience among 81 awards presented.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the “36th annual Queensland Tourism Awards was a celebration of the outstanding success and resilience that tourism operators displayed across the state and also offered a timely platform to showcase Queensland’s iconic Indigenous tourism experiences.”

Cultural Elder & Co-founder, Eddie Ruska was in attendance and accepted the award with his daughters, Leanne Ruska, Executive Chef and Michelle Thomson, Cultural Manager.  Eddie reminded us that the experience brings healing, which is key to creating stronger connections and breaking down barriers.  You can view their acceptance speech here.

CEO and Co-founder, Mike Tamaki, and founder of Tamaki Maori Village in New Zealand, the most awarded cultural attraction in New Zealand, believes that the post-pandemic traveller is seeking a deeper experience with our Indigenous people and their stories.  “This award symbolises recognition by the industry for the unique delivery of history through storytelling.  It truly does open your eyes to the history, beauty and vibrancy of the Aboriginal people.”

Indigenous man and woman looking at fire

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated all award winners and thanked tourism operators statewide for their hard work and resilience throughout the pandemic.

Spirits of the Red Sand was awarded bronze at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards, the last awards to take place due to COVID, so this milestone and recognition of their commitment and efforts has even more significance.  Head of Marketing & Business Management, Kerryn Collins said “This award is in honour of our team that brings their passion for sharing 60,000 years of culture in a meaningful way, consistently demonstrating their warmth and knowledge. It is also in honour of our guests who pay us the highest compliment through experiencing what Spirits of the Red Sand offers.”

This is a big accomplishment for Spirits of the Red Sand, and one they are not taking lightly. Plans are already underway for upgraded and enhanced sound and lighting facilities, a recording studio to create music tracks as part of a new retail gift gallery featuring 100% authentic indigenous art and crafts. New signage and new experiences are also underway with a focus on creating new food tours that incorporate their extensive bush tucker garden.

Logan looks within for new jobs growth

/in

The creation of a strong well-trained local workforce to fill local jobs is a key focus of a new employment initiative launched today by City of Logan Mayor Darren Power.

The Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce will develop programs with employers, service providers and training organisations to ensure skills being taught align with available local jobs.

The taskforce will have a strong focus on enhancing employment opportunities for Logan youth.

Unemployment in Logan is 9.1 per cent (ABS: June 2021) with youth unemployment a staggering 17.6 per cent.

Councillor Power said those numbers underline the importance of getting his Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce operating as soon as possible.

“We want to get local jobseekers involved in training programs that will give them skills that align with the needs of local businesses,” Cr Power said.

“We also want to leverage the strong desire among local businesses to support our residents through education, training, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“We want to develop a willing workforce that has the skills and training to apply for jobs not just here in Logan but across the state and country.”

Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven said Logan City Council would continue to seek funding from the Australian and Queensland governments to support economic development and jobs growth in the city.

“Everyone knows how good it is to do business in Logan and we’re seeing record investment in our city,” Councillor Raven said.

“We want to remove the barriers to employment and upskill our residents so that Logan job seekers can work for local businesses.”

The taskforce, chaired by the Mayor, will develop a Local Jobs Action Plan to:

  • Identify key employment priorities and local labour needs
  • Support and drive employment and training opportunities across Logan
  • Implement programs and solutions to address local workforce issues
  • Investigate improving the LoganJobs platform

It will also appoint an Employment Support Coordinator to help deliver the core activities of the taskforce and engage with industry leaders and external stakeholders.

Imaging Solutions, which manufacturers healthcare x-ray aprons and other cutting-edge products, is a City of Logan company that has been quick to embrace the benefits of training and hiring local workers.

Several of its current employees undertook a specialist machinist training course with TAFE Queensland and a new in-house training program is planned soon specifically targeted at creating jobs for local school-leavers and youth.

“We know there are a lot of people in Logan looking for work and those who undertake our next training program will definitely be offered jobs in our local manufacturing sites,” Imaging Solutions Chief Executive Officer Glenn Honey said.

The company’s Deputy CEO, Dr John Kapeleris, added: “Imaging Solutions is committed to developing a custom-designed training program that is aligned with new skills development to grow and enrich jobs in Logan.”

After being adopted at today’s committee meeting, the Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce now goes to next week’s Ordinary Council meeting for endorsement.

Iconic Logan manufacturer steel themselves for future growth

/in , ,

Beenleigh Steel Fabrications will soon expand to a new $4.2 million facility, with works underway at a greenfield site in Berrinba.

Treasurer and Minister for Investment Cameron Dick said construction of the new workspace reinforces Beenleigh Steel Fabrications’ commitment to Logan and employment in the city.

“This new $4.2 million manufacturing facility will double Beenleigh Steel Fabrications’ floorspace and production capacity,” Mr Dick said.

“Most importantly, this means more local jobs, with at least 59 new jobs set to be created with BSF over the next five years.

“Beenleigh Steel Fabrications have been helping build our state for more than four decades, and our government is proud to support this expansion to fuel the company’s next 40 years and beyond.

“BSF steel is at the core of new developments like Queen’s Wharf and Cross River Rail, and legendary local structures such as the Gabba and North Queensland Stadium.

“This is another great project that will contribute to Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan as we keep battling the impacts of COVID-19,” he said.

“It also shows the investment confidence businesses have in our state and the City of Logan as we work towards hosting the 2032 Olympic Games.”

BSF Director Frank Boyes, federal Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, Logan Deputy Mayor Jon Raven & BSF Director Anthony Stoeckert turning sod

BSF Director Frank Boyes, federal Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, Logan Deputy Mayor Jon Raven & BSF Director Anthony Stoeckert turning sod

BSF has been operating in Crestmead since 1980, carving out a strong market niche in architectural steel fabrications for large-scale projects Australia-wide.

They supply into projects ranging from stadiums, bridges and hospitals to army barracks, multi-level carparks and rail stations.

Beenleigh Steel Fabrication Director Anthony Stoeckert said construction will soon begin ramping up and is expected to take six months to complete.

“We’re very excited about our future and that of the Logan area,” Mr Stoeckert said.

“Our expansion will create job opportunities for up to eight apprentices and trainees per year in boilermaking, rigging, dogging, machine operation and computer skills.

“We are keen to find local Logan people to take up these opportunities and to be a part of growing our city.”

Federal Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers and Logan Deputy Mayor Jon Raven also attended today’s ceremonial sod turn, alongside the Treasurer and BSF representatives.

 

World-first shopping centre drone delivery service takes off in Logan

/in ,

Wing, Australia’s first on-demand residential drone delivery service, is partnering with leading Australian retail property group, Vicinity Centres, to pilot a new model of delivery, flying goods from retail shopping centre rooftops, directly to homes and businesses in southeast Queensland.

Wing and Vicinity Centres have been piloting the drone delivery service, the first-of-its-kind in the world, from the rooftop of Grand Plaza in Logan, Queensland, since mid-August, delivering goods on-demand from a range of businesses located at the centre directly to consumers, by drone.

Participating businesses include food and beverage outlets, Sushi Hub, Boost Juice, and Chatime. From today, local community pharmacy TerryWhite Chemmart will also commence offering drone delivery of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, personal care, general health, and beauty products.

In the first six weeks of service, Wing made more than 2,500 contactless drone deliveries from Grand Plaza to customers in parts of the Logan suburbs of Regents Park, Heritage Park, Park Ridge, Browns Plains, Marsden, Crestmead, and Berrinba. The service will soon expand to more customers and other delivery from other businesses located at the centre.

Last month, Wing marked two years of drone delivery service in Logan, having already made more than 50,000 drone deliveries to the local community in 2021. The introduction of this new delivery model follows expansion of the service earlier this year, with Wing now offering delivery to 19 suburbs in Logan with a combined population of more than 110,000 people.

“We’re delighted to explore this new model of delivery with Vicinity Centres. For the first time, we are co-locating our drones with businesses at their premises, rather than local businesses having to co-locate their goods with us at our delivery facility,” Jesse Suskin, Wing’s Head of Policy & Community Affairs, Australia, said.

“With the increase in consumers’ desire for convenience and speed, on-demand drone delivery can help address the costly last-mile delivery challenge, reduce road congestion and emissions, and create new economic opportunities for businesses by utilising their existing retail space as logistics hubs and fulfillment centres.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the team at Vicinity Centres to further develop new delivery models that can complement the retail businesses located at Grand Plaza, and if successful, potentially roll out similar models in other locations across Vicinity Centres’ retail property portfolio.”

World’s First Rooftop Drone Delivery Service | Wing – YouTube

Vicinity’s Chief Innovation and Information Officer, Justin Mills, said the Wing drone delivery pilot helped retailers unlock the value of their physical store to optimise omnichannel retail.

“The retail industry is changing, and Vicinity is employing a test and learn approach in areas critical to the role of Australian shopping centres in the future. We believe the partnership with Wing will be an important component of our overall distribution and fulfillment strategy and support our new growth strategy,” said Mr Mills.

“Almost two thirds of Australia’s population live within 30 minutes of one of our 61 strategically located centres. This national footprint provides a strong foundation to implement our distribution and fulfilment strategy by rapidly scaling our drone delivery partnership with Wing and further developing our co-located logistics hubs and micro fulfillment centres.

“Exploring new technologies like drone delivery means our retailers may provide customers with game-changing product deliveries in minutes rather than days, while also reducing their carbon footprint.

“Our partnership with Wing is a natural extension of our distribution and fulfilment strategy which will help retailers use physical stores and our shopping centre network to get their products in customer hands quicker and more efficiently.”

Learn more about Wing

Signs are strong for small business

/in ,

Logan City Council has underlined its commitment to supporting local business by signing the Small Business Friendly Councils charter.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power this week joined Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer and Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Maree Adshead, to become the 16th council state-wide to sign the charter.

Representatives from the three local chambers of commerce – Logan, Logan Regional and Beenleigh-Yatala – also co-signed the charter.

There are more than 22,000 small businesses across the City of Logan that help drive the local economy and provide local jobs.

By signing the Small Business Friendly Councils charter, Council has committed to supporting those local small businesses in their specialist areas and helping to reduce red tape.
Cr Power said pledging to the charter added to Council’s existing high-level and multi-faceted support for local business.

This includes the Council-operated Logan Office of Economic Development, which offers small business advice, workshops and assistance towards relocation, expansion and redevelopment.

Council this month also endorsed a new Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027, which is driven by a vision that ‘Logan’s economy is everyone’s business, with Council leading the way’.

The Strategy also includes the formation of the Mayor’s Local Job and Skills Taskforce, which will engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities.

“In addition to helping them build a resilient and sustainable workforce, Council will work closely with existing businesses across all sectors to grow the local economy and attract new customers and investment,” Cr Power said.

Minister Farmer said small businesses are the heart and hubs of local communities.

“They are our families, our friends, our neighbours and they keep our communities strong,” Minister Farmer said.

“It’s fantastic that so many councils have committed to the small business friendly charter, with many others lining up to join them.”

Commissioner Adshead said the whole community benefits when councils work closely with local business.

“I look forward to continuing to work with all concerned to bring real benefits to the local small business community in the Logan region,” she said.

To support local businesses and the community, Council has launched the ‘Think Local, Buy Logan’ campaign which encourages locals to shop locally.

To set an example, Council has also committed to a ‘Buy Logan’ procurement policy with a target of channelling 45 per cent of Council’s $500 million annual products and services spend towards local providers.