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

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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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Key components of the support plan include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Logan Village Green Masterplan to deliver for community

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A new playground inspired by the designs and input from local children will be the centrepiece of an upcoming refurbishment at Logan Village Green.

A temporary pop-up coffee shop, upgrades to the RSL cenotaph and new signage are also included in the Logan Village Green Master Plan adopted by Logan City Council.

The design of the playground has commenced and the project is earmarked for completion by the end of the year.

Logan Village Playground Visualisation

Logan Village Playground Visualisation

In the 2018/19 Budget, Council endorsed $2 million for the Logan Village Implementation Fund over three years to support the planning, detailed design, management and delivery of priority projects identified from the Logan Village Forum.

The Master Plan follows extensive community consultation and is a key outcome of the 2018 Forum which identified upgrades to the Logan Village Green as a high priority project.

Council obtained a $500,000 funding grant for the Activation, Embellishment and Upgrade of the Logan Village Green under the Building Better Regions Fund Round 3.

The Master Plan includes a future multi-purpose community facility, an outdoor stage and upgraded events space for live music.

Future plans also include a feasibility study for a multi-functional community centre and design of a new ‘main street’ along the Village Green.

Improved signage and street furniture, a visitor information facility and a coordinated events program will position the area as a regional tourism destination.

Logan City Council Director Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, said the projects signalled an exciting new era for the Logan Village community.

“The community told us what they wanted and Council has responded,” Mr Hansen said.

“The renewal of this iconic hub will create a destination for people outside of Logan to visit. It has been designed by the community, for the community and visitors to the city.”

Mr Hansen said improved amenity through tree planting, new paving, signage and new feature lighting, and improved connectivity through pedestrian and cycle ways would provide a family-oriented destination.

A ‘Meet the Place Manager’ open day was held in Logan Village and provided an opportunity for interested parties to meet officers and discuss the draft Master Plan.

During the consultation period, 493 people visited the website and written submissions from 35 individuals and organisations were received.

To find out more, please download the Logan Village Green Master Plan (PDF 9.8 MB).

Bi-annual economic analysis for City of Logan

Read more

Manufacturers thrive in Logan

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Business confidence in the City of Logan continues to strengthen as major investment is secured for future industrial estates and manufacturers embark on multimillion dollar expansion plans and explore opportunities in new international markets.

Manufacturing has long been a significant contributor to Logan’s economy – valued at around $2.88 billion and creating 8,700 jobs, the sector is the top third highest revenue generator and is the city’s fifth largest employer.

While the industry has seen an overall decline nationally, many Logan businesses in both traditional and emerging manufacturing sectors have continued to grow and thrive.

Local vitamin supplement manufacturer ATP Science will soon consolidate their premises into a $15 million purpose-built 6000 sqm headquarters in Meadowbrook – a move that will allow the company to develop new lines, double their workforce and fast-track global expansion plans.

Managing Director Jeff Doidge said the time was now to invest in a new Logan headquarters as the business was experiencing massive growth and exploring opportunities offshore.

“About 80 per cent is sold in Australia and we are currently exporting to the UAE, US and UK and have some emerging markets in India and China,” he said.

“Being in Logan gives us access to the ports, the airport and the sea docks – as far as major infrastructure is concerned it’s fantastic.”

Accessibility is one of the city’s main draw cards for manufacturers – Logan is just a 30 minute drive to the Port of Brisbane, in close proximity to 3 international airports and conveniently located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Infrastructure investment in Logan is at historic levels – with the completion of the $500 million Logan Enhancement Project and more than $18 billion in the pipeline, investors are taking interest in the city’s industrial areas.

International property investors MapleTree Logistics Trust recently secured 36 hectares of land in Park Ridge for $95 million, which forms part of a future 157 hectare industrial estate.

The city is already home to several industry leaders including award-winning product commercialisation facility Evolve Group; and specialists in rocket and propulsion systems Black Sky Aerospace, who were the first to secure access to NASA’s Australian launch site.

Leading manufacturer in tanker solutions Holmwood Highgate has operated in Logan since 1994 and continues to expand their workforce to keep up with business growth.

Director Wade Mellish says that the city’s location and access to a skilled workforce has supported Holmwood Highgate explore opportunities in the global defence industry.

In 2018, Holmwood Highgate was awarded a contract as part of Rheinmetall’s Australian supply chain, a crucial step in furthering their expansion into new markets.

“The City of Logan allows us to deliver world-class products both domestically and internationally,” he said.

“We’ve got upwards of 200 staff now – blue and white collar – and increasing the workers every day because of the amount of work that we have on.”

Within a 40km radius, the city has access to a regional catchment of more than 2.6 million people and a large pool of talent for employers to choose from.

Furthermore, the presence of major transport and logistics companies and proximity to a diverse network of suppliers makes Logan an attractive location for businesses of all sizes.

The ease of doing business in Logan has driven an emergence of niche manufacturers in the food and beverage categories.

Food and beverage processing has continued to grow and is the city’s most productive sub-sector.

Small businesses including craft brewers, honey product manufacturers, coffee roasters and chocolate makers operate successfully from Logan.

Logan City Council has recently made it easier for craft brewers to establish themselves in Logan by implementing significant changes to the planning scheme.

The City of Logan is fast-becoming a destination of choice for manufacturers in the region and offers eligible businesses incentives to move into the city.

Find out more about the opportunities for manufacturers in Logan by visiting https://www.loed.com.au/investinlogan/.

Logan wins on key infrastructure

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Christmas has come early in the City of Logan after new funding was announced by the State and Federal governments for two major infrastructure projects that have long been on Logan City Council’s wish list.

The Loganlea train station will be relocated as part of a $95 million project, while a $20 million business case will be developed for the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail line.

A further $94.3 million for M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades (to be shared between the Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill, Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway and Varsity Lakes to Tugun stretches) will be provided earlier than previously announced.

In addition, both governments have reached an agreement on the $9.3 billion Inland Rail project, paving the way for the delivery of the project in Queensland. Council continues to seek a commitment of accountability around environmental impacts such as noise, vibration and dust – and for those impacts to be carefully considered and appropriately mitigated.

The funding is part of a total $1.9 billion road and rail package for Queensland. It was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane.

The Federal Government will bring forward almost $650 million in funding and provide more than $680 million in new funding, while the State Government is committing $606 million.

Logan projects to receive funding

  • Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail business case (total $20 million, split 50/50 between State and Federal governments)
  • Relocate Loganlea train station (total $95 million, $50 million from Federal Government, $45 million from State Government)
  • Pacific Motorway (a total of $94.3 million of Federal funding will be brought forward for the Eight Mile Plains-Daisy Hill; Daisy Hill-Logan Motorway and Varsity Lakes-Tugun sections)

Loganlea Train Station Relocation

Logan City Council has long been advocating for the relocation of Loganlea Train station. Relocating and upgrading the Loganlea Train Station is critical to the future growth of Meadowbrook as a world class health and education precinct, and for the liveability of the area for local residents. An integrated transport hub will provide increased connectivity to an upgraded Logan Hospital, and improved connections to the TAFE campus and Loganlea State High School.

Following feedback from the community and relevant stakeholders at the Meadowbrook Summit in 2018, advocacy for the relocation of the station was listed as an action in the Meadowbrook Implementation Plan (Action 37). The relocated station is also depicted in the Meadowbrook Master Plan.

The current station was already scheduled for required upgrades to conform with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This additional funding will allow a new station to be built that is both accessible and connected, and can also accommodate future upgrades of the proposed Kuraby to Beenleigh Capacity Improvement Project. $15 million has also been pledged by the Federal Government for a new carpark for the station, as part of their 2019 election campaign.

More information