United effort gives Logan a trail to success

The City of Logan will reap the benefits of a $6.4 million State Government funding injection aimed at rejuvenating local economies.

Three shovel-ready projects will share in the Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package, including Logan City Council’s Logan Village to Yarrabilba Rail Trail.

The State Government has allocated $2 million towards constructing the 3.5km walking, hiking and riding trail, which will be built on a disused railway line corridor.

Another $2.4 million has been given to the Loganlea Road Healthy Street Project and a further $2 million has been allocated to improving the streetscape of the Beenleigh CBD and to provide a shade solution for the Town Centre.

The Rail Trail project received allocated funding while the other two were subject to a competitive application process.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the projects would provide excellent community benefits.

“Yarrabilba is a growth area with lots of young families and this Rail Trail will provide an important and healthy link to the businesses in Logan Village,” Cr Power said.

“This outcome is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our two levels of government work together to benefit the entire community.”

He said Logan faced intense competition from other Councils for a slice of the funding.

“The Loganlea and Beenleigh projects were the subject of a competitive process to obtain funding and they managed to beat many other worthy applications from across the state,” Cr Power said.

“These projects will create jobs as they progress but most importantly they will better connect the city and create even more quality destinations for residents and visitors.

“The Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package is designed to keep Queensland’s economy moving forward and I have no doubt we will see a huge benefit here in Logan.”

The Loganlea Road Healthy Street Project is an outcome of the Meadowbrook Summit.

It aims to create a ‘healthy street’ through an off-street active transport link and greening the streetscape along with a new pedestrian crossing on Loganlea Road.

Construction on all three projects should start before Christmas.

This is the second round of funding that Council has received from the State Government for COVID 19-related relief.

The Kingston Butter Factory redevelopment received $6.57 million earlier this year.

Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe said the Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package would help councils build new and upgraded infrastructure and give their communities’ economies a boost.

“From Noosa to the Gold Coast and from Toowoomba to Moreton Bay, councils estimate more than 1500 jobs will be created or supported through 63 projects for the communities,” he said.

“Our councils have also been doing it tough with the closure of services, provision of community support concessions and reduced revenue, including rates and charges revenue, all while leading their communities.

“This program is allowing the councils to fast-track new infrastructure and community assets, and in doing so, helping to get the communities back on their feet faster.”

Rail trail will link Logan Village and Yarrabilba

A walking, hiking and riding trail from Logan Village to Yarrabilba is now a step closer.

Logan City Council has committed $1.25 million over the next two years towards the total project budget of $2.5m as detailed planning of the trail nears completion.

The 3.5km trail will be built on a disused rail spur line, which was transferred to Council as road reserve. It is flanked mostly by natural bushland.

Delivery of the rail trail was a key priority project identified from the Logan Village Forum hosted by Council in March 2018.

Feedback from the forum indicated there would be significant economic benefits for Logan Village through a direct connection with the growing and neighbouring community of Yarrabilba.

Preparations for the trail have been significant and included a comprehensive feasibility study.

Council’s $2 million Logan Village Implementation Fund in June 2018 also included an allowance for design of the trail, but not construction.

In April last year, a further $200,000 funding grant was secured through the State Government’s Rail Trail Local Government Grants (RTLGG) program to finalise the feasibility study and detailed design of the trail.

The additional funding by Council in the 2020/2021 Budget towards construction of the project – combined with the study and design preparations – is expected to put the proposed trail in a good position to be eligible for State and Federal funding opportunities as a pandemic recovery capital works project.

Transformation of historic butter factory begins

Work has started on the $16.1 million transformation of Logan’s historic Kingston Butter Factory (KBF).

Today’s highly-anticipated milestone event marking the commencement of construction was attended by Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe, Shannon Fentiman MP, Logan Mayor Darren Power and councillors.

Council is redeveloping the KBF Precinct and its grounds into a vibrant cultural heritage and performing arts hub in the heart of Logan.

The interior of the iconic Kingston Butter Factory building is also being re-imagined.

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the venue, when finished, would be a significant addition to South-East Queensland’s tourism infrastructure.

“Having such a large outdoor space that can attract major events and festivals will bring massive economic benefits to Logan,” Councillor Power said.

“It will be a space the whole community can enjoy, where they can access world-class arts, culture, festivals and events.”

City Lifestyle Committee Chairperson, Councillor Laurie Koranski said community feedback had endorsed Council’s decision to redevelop the building into a cultural heritage and performing arts hub.

“Results of a community survey in November last year overwhelmingly supported Council’s proposal for KBF,” Cr Koranski said.

“The KBF Cultural Precinct will be a place where people will come together in ways that connect, entertain and inspire.”

Cr Power welcomed recent funding of $6.57 million from the State Government’s COVID Works Queensland program towards the project.

“Infrastructure and jobs are critical for the community and our city in these challenging times,” he said.

“This is a great example of state and local government working together to deliver important social infrastructure for the community while creating jobs.

“We want to come out of this pandemic stronger than ever, and the best way to do that is to work together.”

Cr Power said Council would have the opportunity to redirect part of its original budget allocation of $12 million into other areas to be determined by Council.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Logan Mayor Darren Power and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman welcome the redevelopment of the Kingston Butter Factory.

Minister Hinchliffe said it was the first time Logan City Council has had access to the Works for Queensland program.

“The pandemic has landed a major blow on economies around the world, and that includes right here in Logan,” the Minister said.

“To that end, the redevelopment of the butter factory will support or create about 150 jobs and, once it’s up and running, even more with investment in restaurants and other small businesses in the area.”

Ms Fentiman, the Member for Waterford, said once completed the KBF Precinct would feature the city’s largest outdoor events space, with a purpose-built stage and room for audiences of up to 5000.

“The whole space is being transformed – it will feature a blackbox-style theatre, rehearsal space and a living museum to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Logan, a community that I’m so proud to be a part of,” she said.

“This project is going to be a game-changer for local artists and I’m excited to see it transform into an arts and entertainment hub for the Logan community.”

The project will be delivered by Box & Co builders and work is expected to be completed by February next year.

New Greenlink provides active transport corridor and connections for businesses

A $3.2 million project to create an environmental and recreation corridor in Slacks Creek has been completed and features nearly a kilometre of 3 to 4-metre-wide pathway that connects Moss Street with Compton Road.

It also includes a bridge crossing and boardwalk along the creek.

Art work, bench seating, bike shelters and dog-waste bins are features of the pathway along with wayfinding and interpretive signage.

The corridor has lighting and 24-hour monitored CCTV security cameras.

The project was co-funded by $1.28 million from the State Government through a Cycle Network Local Government Grant (CNLGG).

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the Slacks Creek Greenlink was another delivery from Council’s $5 million Springwood Summit Implementation Plan.

It follows on from the recent opening of the $1.6 million Dennis Road to Murrajong Road shared pathway and streetscape upgrade.

“Business owners and residents were extensively consulted in the planning, design and construction of the Greenlink,” Cr Power said.

“This is a great outcome for the city and the local community and shows yet again that Council is delivering on the ideas put forward at the Springwood Summit.”

City Economic Development, Planning and Environment Committee Chairperson, Councillor Jon Raven, said the Greenlink was another example of Council making our natural areas more accessible to the community.

“When we activate our environment, we activate our community. This pathway provides people with transit options whether you’re on foot, on wheels, working out or on your way to a working lunch.” Cr Raven said.

City Lifestyle Committee Chairperson, Councillor Laurie Koranski said Slacks Creek is an important environmental corridor and the new Greenlink had been designed to complement that.

“The project has included some landscaping of the waterway which ensures the right balance between protecting the surrounding environment while also allowing the community access to appreciate the birds, wildlife and native plants along the corridor,” Cr Koranski said.

Division 3 Councillor Mindy Russell said Council had already received feedback from a number of businesses along the Greenlink that are excited about the opportunities to expand their offerings to cater to those using the pathway.

Among them is Extraction Artisan Coffee which has had plans drawn for a new deck facing the Greenlink that will contribute to activating this open space.

“This entire corridor is going to be another great destination in Logan for exercise, recreation and relaxation,” Cr Russell said.

Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said the project would deliver safer facilities for bike riders and the community.

“We know that on average every dollar the Palaszczuk Government invests in bike-riding infrastructure returns nearly five dollars in economic benefit to Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.

“On top of this, we see improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion and lower transport costs.

“We have seen a significant increase in the use of our bikeways in recent years. That’s why we’re investing more than $15.5 million in funding to local governments to deliver new high-priority bike networks over the next two years.”

Logan builds local launching pad for new Economic Vision

A series of local business workshops will help formulate a new Economic Development Vision and Strategy for the City of Logan.

Logan City Council has adopted a timeline that will see the strategy delivered by March next year.

Council’s existing Economic Development Strategy expires in 2021.

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the new strategy would provide a roadmap for the City of Logan’s financial and business future with a focus on jobs and investment.

“As many businesses across our city begin to battle back from the impacts of the pandemic, now is the ideal time for our new Council to take a fresh look at the economic development of our city,” Cr Power said.

“This will not be an economic development strategy for Council but an over-arching strategy for our city, our residents and our business community.

“This is a strategy that will help build from within the 20,000 business that call Logan home.

“It will have a strong focus on growth and provide them with an improved and sustainable platform from which they can compete with success locally, interstate and globally.”

Council has commissioned highly respected business consultancy firm SGS Economics & Planning, in conjunction with the University of Queensland and the Policy Innovation Hub at the Griffith Business School, to assist in the development of the new strategy.

The strategy will be formulated through a collaborative process across in two stages.

The first stage, already completed, involved a detailed data analysis of economic modelling of the city’s economy. It sought to identify enablers of economic development and define the types of business that could operate successfully with a base in Logan.

The second stage, a stakeholder co-design process, is scheduled to begin next month.

It will involve the formation of a co-design panel representing key themes that relate to the new strategy.

The co-design panel will help facilitate a series of ‘economic opportunity’ and ‘action planning’ roundtables and workshops in August and September.

City Planning, Economic Development and Environment Chair, Councillor Jon Raven called on Logan’s most successful and innovative business leaders to get involved in the strategy development.

“This strategy will seek to redefine Logan’s future with a focus on jobs, investment and local wealth,” Cr Raven said.

“Economic growth must be built from within. Council needs successful local businesses to help develop the foundations for employment and success in our city.”

A number of major businesses with national profiles have already set up base in the City of Logan or have plans to relocate here. These include GO1.com, McPhee Distribution Services, Wing, DHL, John Deere, Avery Dennison, National Tiles and CEVA Logistics.

Data shows that Logan has a young and diverse workforce and has seen steady growth in the last decade in sectors including manufacturing, health and education.

For more information email loed@logan.qld.gov.au or telephone 3412 4888.

Pathway projects deliver smart connections for Springwood

Logan City Council’s vision for a highly connected pedestrian-friendly Springwood has taken a giant step forward with the completion of shared pathway and streetscape enhancement projects.

A new three-metre-wide, 350m-long concrete pathway now links Dennis Road to Murrajong Road, flanking Springwood Central State School.

On the next block to the north, streetscapes have been upgraded and enhanced along Murrajong Road, Paxton Street and Carol Avenue.

The footpath was extended into Murrajong Road to create an additional opportunity for seating, landscaping and outdoor dining.

The two projects, which cost collectively $1.6 million, were delivered from the $5million Springwood Implementation Fund set up by Council after the October 2016 Springwood Summit.

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the two projects would further build on Springwood’s reputation as a thriving commercial precinct and connected urban hub.

“Council is committed to developing Springwood’s centre as a major commercial activity hub,” Cr Power said.

“These two projects bring enormous lifestyle and commercial benefits to the local community and for visitors to Springwood.

“They are helping to build local identity while improving safety and security for pedestrians, school students and local workers.”

The Dennis Road to Murrajong Road pathway has an entry statement, seating, a shade structure, public artwork and lighting.

The pathway will be monitored around-the-clock by Council’s CCTV safety camera network.

The concrete path features murals that resemble carpet rugs which were painted by eight local artists and is complemented by giant pebble seats to create ‘lounge rooms’ on the streets of Springwood.

City Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee Chairperson, Cr Jon Raven, said the new pathway and associated works were the direct result of feedback provided by nearly 200 people who attended the Springwood Summit

“In March 2017, Council endorsed 10 primary actions and 30 initiatives that were identified from the Springwood Summit,” Cr Raven said.

“This project and others planned for this area are all about Council delivering on what the community wanted.”

Completion of the pathway required the dedication of land from Springwood Central State School through the Queensland Department of Education.

State Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni said the pathway represented more than just community connectivity and demonstrated the benefit of multiple levels of government working together.

“I congratulate Logan City Council and its new Mayor Darren Power on working with the Palaszczuk Government to deliver local infrastructure that connects us and shows what can be achieved through collaboration,” he said.

“Our community is doing a great job of reducing the spread of COVID-19, however our focus must also be on getting locals back to work and projects like this will help the economic recovery process.”

Division One Councillor Lisa Bradley said the new pathway and the streetscape enhancements deliver a combination of benefits for local businesses and the community.

“This new pathway provides a much-needed, convenient and safe link to recreation spaces and enhance outdoor activities for local families,” Cr Bradley said.

“It also ensures retail and commercial areas benefit from improved accessibility to food and drink outlets and the nearby public transport hub.

“The completion of these two projects brings real lifestyle benefits to Springwood and the city though the enhancement of local identity, connection to community and improved safety and security.”

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power Springwood Central State School student leaders (from left) Aria Gilligan, Mary Cordero, Jordyn Cooley, Blake Lamond and Tabitha Corbet enjoy some of the pebble chairs than are dotted along the new pathway from Dennis Road to Murrajong Road.

Suppliers invited to register for updated Local Buy panels

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 manufacturer to supply urgent equipment for COVID-19 frontline

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

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

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