Positive outlook for Logan

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City of Logan Mayor Darren Power today painted a positive economic outlook for the city during a State Budget Breakfast event hosted by Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick.

Around 150 business leaders, community stalwarts and local and state politicians attended the COVID-safe planned event at the Logan Entertainment Centre, MC’d by Deputy Mayor Jon Raven.

Councillor Power compared Logan’s fight and economic resilience to the Rocky Balboa character from the Rocky movies.

“Rocky is humble, hard-working, determined and he beats the odds to win his big break. It’s a powerful story of backing yourself to rise to the top,” he said.

“I liken this story to the way Logan has evolved into the city you see today. From humble beginnings, Logan is proving to be the one to watch.

“We don’t have the glitz of the Gold Coast or the sky-high office buildings of Brisbane, but what we do have is pride, determination and fighting spirit.”

Logan continues to punch above its weight with billions of dollars in investment pouring into the city at time when the global economy contracted.

A host of multi-national companies are setting up their business in commercial hotspots like Park Ridge, Berrinba and Crestmead.

Cr Power noted the completion of Transurban’s $512 million Logan Enhancement Project in August 2019 and a surge in commercial activity along the Logan Motorway corridor.

“Large national and multinational businesses are choosing Logan over Ipswich, Brisbane and even our southern states,” he said.

Queensland’s largest industrial project, the Crestmead Logistics Estate, is one such project.

The $1.5 billion dollar, nine-stage, 157-hectare, Logistics Estate will deliver 650,000 square metres of warehousing, business, logistics and manufacturing buildings. It will generate around 6000 full-time jobs in just five years.

Companies like Wing, Go1, DHL, Rinnai Australia, Border Express, ATP Science and McPhee are now proudly headquartered in the city.

“Logan has the winning formula of efficient transport connections and affordable land that is driving enormous investment,” said Cr Power.

“The housing market in Logan is also one to watch. Logan continues to be the place to raise your family, offering a great lifestyle and affordable housing.”

More than 26,000 new houses have been approved with numerous residential development fronts across Logan over the last decade.

By 2036, under the current planning scheme, Logan has the potential to grow by an additional 56,000 dwellings.

Queensland Treasurer and Member for Woodridge, Cameron Dick, highlighted the ‘valuable partnership’ Logan shared with the State Government as he reeled out a highlights package for the city in the recent State Budget.

It included more than $600 million on upgrading the Logan Hospital, $50 million towards upgrading and building new schools with a further $26.9 million in 2020-21 to construct a new primary school in North Maclean.

Funding also continued for several high-profile projects that Council had advocated for, including the extension of the south-east busway to Loganholme ($500 million) and upgrades to the Mt Lindesay Highway ($10.6 million).

Meanwhile a state-wide $15 million Community Infrastructure Investment Partnership program will be established to deliver additional and improved community infrastructure to support social services in communities.

A flagship initiative under the program will be in Logan – the Access Economic Hub.

The pilot project will provide a full range of employment readiness, job training, social enterprise and business incubator services and link people to social services.

It will support up to 22 construction jobs in Logan and makes good on an election commitment of $7 million.

There’s also a new $1 million commitment for intersection improvement works at Waterford-Tamborine Road and Easterly Street at Waterford to ease congestion issues, and additional funding for the planning of the Park Ridge Connector.

Cr Power said despite the challenges of 2020, Logan had fared well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We in Queensland – and in Logan – have been very fortunate. We’ve had the opportunity to attend work, run our businesses and rebuild our economy,” he said.

City of Logan rises as industrial powerhouse

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The City of Logan continues to strengthen its position as an industrial powerhouse in south-east Queensland, attracting more than $1.7 billion of national and international investment during the last 18 months.

Despite challenging global economic conditions, Logan’s industrial sectors have continued to push forward—building approvals have far exceeded the previous financial year, with more than double gross floor area approved in 2019-20.

Businesses in the transport and logistics, manufacturing and construction industries are key drivers in the local economy, generating $8.3 billion in revenue annually and creating almost one in three local jobs.

Located between the Queensland cities of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Logan is fast becoming the region’s leading transport and logistics hub, with unrivalled access to major arterials and in close proximity to three international airports and the Port of Brisbane.

Recent infrastructure upgrades, including Transurban’s $512 million Logan Enhancement Project, have improved freight productivity and spurred commercial activity along Logan’s major industrial corridor.

Logan will soon be home to one of the largest industrial estates in Queensland—and the largest in the city’s history—with the Crestmead Logistics Estate breaking ground in August this year.

The $1.5 billion estate, to be developed during the next five years by Pointcorp, will deliver 650,000 sqm of warehousing, business, logistics and manufacturing space.

With the unprecedented demand for industrial space driven by consumers, the Crestmead Logistics Estate will enter the market at a pivotal time in the history of Logan and the wider region.

Matthew Frazer-Ryan, national director, industrial at Colliers International, said Logan was an exceptional location for this landmark development.

“The estate is just 6.4km from the Logan Motorway and Gateway Motorway interchange within the hugely successful Berrinba-Crestmead industrial region.

“This location benefits significantly from the recently-upgraded Wembley Road Interchange, providing occupiers with efficient access to a network of roads servicing greater Brisbane, south-east Queensland and key interstate transport routes,” Frazer-Ryan said.

Singapore’s Mapletree Logistics Trust will develop stage one of the estate into a $440 million world-class logistics park spanning 200,000 sqm.

Mapletree boasts an impressive tenant network of well-known multinational brands and has a multi-billion-dollar global asset base across real estate in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.

This follows more than $240 million of investment from a number of national and international companies moving in or expanding their footprint in Logan including DHL, CEVA Logistics, Mitre 10 and JB Hi Fi.

In addition, national third-party logistics (3PL) company McPhee Distribution Services and multinational Japanese gas appliance manufacturer Rinnai Corporation completed their $40 million warehouse in August.

Situated in the well-established industrial precinct in Berrinba, the 13,000 sqm facility co-locates McPhee Distribution Services and Rinnai Corporation’s Queensland headquarters.

With 3PL providers in high demand, McPhee Distribution Services managing director Jay McPhee said having ready access to their customers in south-east Queensland has been advantageous during this time, and reinforces the decision to set up in Logan for the long-term.

“We will be based in Logan for the next 20 to 30 years at least.”

As the second-fastest growing city in the region, Logan has access to a catchment of more than 2.6 million potential customers, a vast network of suppliers and a diverse pool of talent.

The city’s growing population was a key drawcard for air delivery company Wing’s world-first autonomous drone delivery service, which recently celebrated one year of operation in Logan.

Based in the South West 1 Enterprise Park in Berrinba, Wing saw customer demand surge in March to May, and plans to expand its service in coming months.

The South West 1 Enterprise Park was an initiative of Logan City Council to attract investment and jobs to the city.

Established in 2013, companies such as Phoenix Transport, National Tiles, PACCAR, GMK, Avery Dennison, Huhtamaki and Sigma Healthcare have moved into the estate.

Recently achieving a significant milestone, the industrial estate reached its completion with the construction of Phoenix Transport’s 9,999 sqm custom-built facility.

In response to the take-up in South West 1 Enterprise Park and existing tenants in the Crestmead Industrial Estate, Queensland developer De Luca Corporation is nearing completion of the first stage of Berrinba Central—a $60 million mixed-use development that will provide essential services for the area and surrounding suburbs.

With thousands of jobs created and millions of dollars funnelled into Logan since the inception of South West 1 Enterprise Park, its success shows how the city is evolving and has become a key player in south-east Queensland’s industrial sector.

Why invest in the City of Logan? Visit loed.com.au/investinlogan to find out more.

Three new venues boost Logan’s café culture

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City of Logan residents will soon be able to have their cake and eat it too, with three new cafés proposed for public spaces across the city.

Logan City Council will call for tenders for the operation of café services at three sites:

  • Underwood Park
  • Berrinba Wetlands
  • Logan Village Green

City Lifestyle Committee Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski said Council was continually looking at different ways to improve public spaces across the city.

“A café culture is growing across our city and we’ve had a number of requests from businesses to operate some of these facilities,” Cr Koranski said.

“The recent redevelopment of Underwood Park and the current upgrade of Logan Village Green has given Council the opportunity to go to tender for all three locations at the same time.”

Cr Koranski said Council was delivering on feedback from the community for more café facilities in parks and other public spaces.

“These are venues already enjoyed by various sporting clubs, families, community groups and people enjoying the outdoors,” she said.

“Offering a café service is value-adding to these already popular locations and helping to build tourism in the city.

“Council supports existing and new businesses in our city and is committed to creating jobs and improving amenity.

“These new cafes are an additional opportunity for those in the hospitality industry who have been impacted by the pandemic to get back on their feet or start a new venture.”

The tender process will be open to commercial operators, community organisations or social enterprises with a focus on providing quality service to the community while also demonstrating a commitment to positive social outcomes.

Operators can tender for one or more of the sites.

Tenders for the three locations will open next month.

Council supports Logan businesses through pandemic recovery

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More than 1300 Logan businesses will this week receive a 50 per cent discount to their 2020/2021 licence renewal fees as part of Logan City Council’s efforts to support local business through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The discounted fees – valued at approximately $500,000 – are included in a second stage of Council’s COVID-19 relief package through the 2020/2021 Budget to boost the city’s recovery from the pandemic.

Mayor Darren Power said Council recognised the pressure being put on small business operators and Council’s Budget would have a ‘fair dinkum’ COVID-19 support component.

“In March, as COVID-19 was becoming a massive issue across the globe, Council introduced a $530,000 package of proactive measures to support residents, community groups and businesses through the immediate economic and social impacts,” Cr Power said.

“As part of that first stage, Council has already refunded more than $275,000 to more than 900 businesses for licence fees paid in 2019/2020, and we are continuing to process refunds to eligible businesses.

“Additionally, 143 new businesses have applied for licences since March 1 with no fees charged, which has left more than $105,000 in our local economy.”

City Governance Committee Chairperson, Councillor Lisa Bradley, said supporting business through tough times was a priority for Council.

“It’s unfortunate that many of the businesses that are required to be licenced were also the hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions because of the nature of their operations,” Cr Bradley said.

Licenced businesses include food businesses such as cafes, takeaways and restaurants, as well as water carriers, food stalls, food trucks and vans, markets, hotels, motels, plastic manufacturers, metal coaters, caravan parks, camping grounds, commercial swimming pools, tattooists, cosmetic tattooists, body piercers and roadside food vendors.

The majority of licences are due to expire on August 31, and Council will issue renewal notices to licenced businesses from July 1. Businesses must submit all renewal paperwork and pay the discounted fees by the due date to ensure their licences remain current.

Council’s first COVID-19 relief package had also included:

  • an additional interest-free period for the April–June quarter rates and charges notice to September 30
  • extending Council’s existing hardship arrangements for residential property owners to all ratepayers
  • a 14-day payment time for Council contractors
  • three months of lease fees 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 waived for 2020
  • increased remissions for organisations operating from a Council community leased facility (and with no or less than 15 gaming machines) to 100 per cent for the January to March 2020 billing period
  • 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.

“Stage two will include further practical ways that Council can show its support for our city, and I look forward to sharing those details soon,” Cr Bradley said.

Council will adopt its 2020/2021 Budget on Monday, July 20.

Another $100 million for small business recovery grants

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Queensland small businesses impacted by COVID-19 are set to receive an additional $100 million in support to help them recover.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a second round of the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption grants of up to $10,000 would be made available from next month to help more small businesses survive, maintain and grow their staffing levels.

“Our small business community has spoken, and we have listened and responded as part of the second stage of our Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Round one of the Small Business grants received an overwhelming response.

“In the second round, we are prioritising regional areas and allocating half of the funding to support small businesses in regional Queensland.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the plan is about supporting our small businesses to create more jobs for Queenslanders.

“Small business owners, including those who had expressed interest in the first round, are encouraged to prepare the required documentation in readiness for grant applications opening on July 1,” Ms Fentiman said.

“They should read the eligibility guidelines now to ensure they have all the documentation ready to submit their application.

“First round grants have been approved for businesses right across the state from the south-east corner to the Douglas Shire in the far north and west to Goondiwindi and Longreach.

“The upfront grants of up to $10,000 will assist those small businesses forced into hibernation, to restructure, significantly change their business operations or move online.”

The grants can cover:

  • Preparing for the safe resumption of trading
  • Ongoing operating costs
  • Accessing digital technologies
  • Responding to online opportunities
  • Upskilling and reskilling business owners and staff
  • Embracing business diversification
  • Creating or retaining employment.

For more information visit www.business.qld.gov.au  

LEARN MORE

Free webinars to help you prepare your grant application

RDA Brisbane is hosting two free webinars on the program next week. You can maximise your chances of success with expert and government advice on the application process and requirements.

When are the webinars?

Tuesday 23 June, 12pm to 1pm

REGISTER 23 JUNE

OR
Wednesday 24 June, 4.30pm to 5.30pm

REGISTER 24 JUNE

About the sessions

The sessions will be conducted by three digital and business experts, and a representative from the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. They’ll cover:

  • An overview including what supporting documents are needed
  • How to write the grant i.e. key elements
  • Acquittal of funding
  • Grants process – What the online application looks like
  • Investing in business training – What to look for and why

These will be interactive sessions with opportunities for Q & A.

For further information on the webinars contact Sha Wharton: shaleen@rdabrisbane.org.au

For more information and assistance, please contact Logan Office of Economic Development.

Relaunching your business

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Over recent months, there have been a number of changes required by our business community to maintain community safety in response to COVID-19. While many industries have maintained their operational abilities, others have been closed or made significant changes to their way of conducting business on the fly. As plans for easing of restrictions are put in place, it is important that all business owners get ready to accommodate the public in the ‘new’ normal operating conditions.

Create or update your business plans

Now is a great time to create or update your business plan. Plans can be as simple as a single page with dot points with a popular version of this being the “business model canvas”. A quick web search will provide templates and howto videos.

The following questions will assist the process and guide how your business will generate revenue. Consider recent changes to your business that may become part of your new normal, i.e.:

  1. Have you made any changes to how you operate to cater for restrictions? (e.g. Delivery options, changes to product offering)
  2. Will these changes be a permanent contribution to your revenue generation?
  3. Will you choose a different value proposition? (e.g. Implement a buy local policy to improve your local community’s economic outcomes)
  4. Who are your customers? Have they changed from your original business or have you found a new market from changing your business model under restrictions (e.g. Restaurant adding take-away as an option opens a new market to customers)?
  5. How will you market your business? For many, this will be the most important aspect of their plan, with businesses requiring a relaunch of sorts to remind customers that you are back to serve their needs. With many people working and educating at home and on devices, a digital marketing plan is a great starting point. To assist with this, there is a Federal Government program which provides low cost, high quality digital advisory services to Queensland Small Business which includes one-on-one consultations with a dedicated advisor starting from $44.00 inc. GST. For more information: asbas.rdabrisbane.org.au
  6. Create a budget and cash flow forecast with the help of your trusted finance professional.

Don’t know where or how to start? Council has a range of business support services including dedicated business advisors that can be contacted on (07) 3412 4888 to arrange a free confidential discussion.

Through planning ahead, the business has the best chance of successfully relaunching.

For a list of useful websites to assist your business through COVID and beyond:

Suppliers invited to register for updated Local Buy panels

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LGAQ’s Local Buy is currently conducting stage 1 of a mass refresh of tenders, and local businesses are encouraged to register on VendorPanel and submit a response to applicable tenders.

Being a supplier on a Local Buy contract not only can provide you with more business, more opportunities, and more brand visibility with local councils and many other organisations, but it can also save you time and money in submitting tenders. Local Buy provides a simple and easy process for you to access work in a one-to-many relationship which prioritises local businesses as a first choice.

A contract (LGA Arrangement) established by Local Buy, enables councils and other eligible entities to purchase goods and services from Local Buy contracted suppliers without having to undertake a separate procurement process. Local Buy is required by the Local Government Act 2009 to conduct an open tender process to establish these contracts.

At any time of the day or night, you can access all of Local Buy Mass Refresh tenders, which are open and in the market by simply clicking here

Those open to supply across Queensland are:

To register your business to be considered as a Local Buy supplier, visit the VendorPanel website.

For more information on Local Buy, visit their portal.

Logan-based GO1 partners with Microsoft to deliver online learning via Microsoft Teams

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GO1, a leading network of the world’s top content providers and learning management systems, announced an integration with Microsoft Teams, enabling any organisation using Teams to access one of the world’s largest libraries of online learning.

“We are delighted to partner with Microsoft to provide an incredible learning experience within Microsoft Teams,” said Andrew Barnes, CEO of GO1. “In these times where remote learning has become a necessity for many, we are looking forward to helping organisations to improve ease of access and engagement for learning content.”

The GO1 app for Microsoft Teams creates a single place to learn within Teams by bringing learning content directly into Teams and enabling individuals to find, consume, share, and discuss learning resources. The app can pull in learning resources from Teams files, your computer, web links, your learning management system, and GO1’s extensive library of learning resources.

“We are pleased to announce this relationship with GO1 to deliver a fantastic end-to-end learning experience within Microsoft Teams. Being able to access content directly in Teams, and facilitate robust conversations about that content, helps create a rich environment conducive to learning of all kinds,” said Steven Abrahams, Program Manager, Partnerships in Education for Microsoft Teams.

GO1 serves as the hub of the learning ecosystem, connecting to learning management systems and content providers. GO1 enables organisations to deliver their own learning content, or popular third-party content, in the systems they use every day, like Teams.

As part of the launch of the GO1 app for Teams, through the end of June 2020, the GO1 Premium subscription, with tens of thousands of learning resources, will be available for free to any organisation using the GO1 Teams app.

To learn more about the GO1 app for Teams, visit go1.com/teams-corporate (for businesses) or go1.com/teams-edu (for educational institutions). Questions can be directed to support@go1.com.

About GO1.com

GO1.com is the world’s largest compliance, professional development and general training marketplace. By providing a single platform that extends from first aid training through to degree bearing courses, GO1 makes it easy to find and compare the best training options available. The marketplace features over 500,000 courses and other learning items created by local and international experts. Customers include SEEK.com.au, Oxford University, State and Local Governments and St John Ambulance.

Since launching in 2015, GO1.com has grown to be a world leader in online learning and education. Local and overseas investors include Y Combinator, SEEK, M12, Tank Stream Ventures, Black Sheep Capital, and Our Innovation Fund. GO1’s Head Office is in Underwood.

 

Logan manufacturer to supply urgent equipment for COVID-19 frontline

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Queensland manufacturers are stepping up like never before to provide essential products for health workers and communities in response to the coronavirus.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s manufacturers and producers have come forward to make and deliver urgently needed on-going supplies of vital personal protection equipment.

“Their generosity, creativity and agility as we get ready for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals has been nothing short of inspiring,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We are facing huge challenges as a state and nation and every Queenslander owes these businesses a very big thanks as they step up production, extend their reach and go above and beyond in the fight against the coronavirus.

“I tasked Minister Cameron Dick with looking after the supply chain and things have moved very rapidly.”

The Premier said the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning will be providing financial assistance of $1.2 million to Logan’s Evolve Group to urgently start making disposable N95 medical masks in high volume.

The N95 mask is the highest quality surgical mask available for frontline healthcare workers and can help to filter out fine particles.

The Premier said the agreement that has been signed with Evolve Group ensures that Queensland has priority access to its own manufactured supply of urgently needed face masks to support frontline health workers and the broader community.

Local Queensland manufacturers are also making other products, including sought after hand sanitizers.

Ms Palaszczuk said it is imperative Queensland establish and maintain a domestic production capacity for PPE now and into the future beyond this crisis.

“We can and we must make these lifesaving products in Queensland.

“We are prepared to back our manufacturers with long term offtake agreements to ensure they keep manufacturing them here.

Queensland Health and the Department of Housing and Public Works have agreed to purchase masks from Evolve Group for a three-year period to support the health system.

Minister for Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the Evolve Group is just one of many Queensland companies gearing up to manufacture large volumes of essential goods.

“Evolve is a great Queensland manufacturing story, and today’s announcement could see around 60,000 N95 face masks manufactured each day to help meet the ongoing need for personal protective equipment,” Mr Dick said.

“This will support workers in health, community support, mining, construction and food processing.  All going well, we are aiming to have the first batch produced within eight weeks,” Mr Dick said.

“The Queensland Government is supporting Evolve Group to secure the equipment and raw materials of two automated face mask manufacturing lines to get us up and running.”

Ai Group’s Queensland head Rebecca Andrews said now is the time for Queensland manufacturers to be diversify their businesses and make a real difference in this critical time.

“It’s great to see another local manufacturer rising to the challenge of combatting COVID-19, in this instance by manufacturing N95 face masks which are vitally needed.”

Evolve Group’s Managing Director Ty Hermans said the company was proud to be able to put its hand up to help.

“We have always prided ourselves on our ability to design award-winning products and rapidly solve complex engineering challenges, but this is certainly our most important project – something we have been training for since we started our reshoring mission back in 2006,” Mr Hermans said.

“We are proud of our ability to apply our Queensland-based advanced plastics manufacturing facility and skills to a mission-critical project like this, supporting our frontline medical teams and others that are sacrificing so much right now.

“Securing supply of critical products like this by reshoring the manufacturing in Australia has to be a priority for all Australians now and into the future. Being Australian-made also ensures the production of high-quality products.”

Mr Dick said the Department of State Development will continue to identify manufacturers around the state who can quickly transition to the production of critically needed supplies.

“Queenslanders can be assured the state’s health and manufacturing systems are world-class and we are well-positioned to confront the challenge ahead,” Mr Dick said.

If you’re a manufacturer able to help fill supply gaps, go to qld.gov.au/qld-supplies

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