Commercial confidence in Logan builds with $100m underway

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MORE than $100 million in business investment in the past 12 months has funnelled into the City of Logan – South East Queensland’s newest growth region where almost 170,000 sqm in commercial property will be taken up by the end of next year.

International tech companies, a national coffee franchisor and an array of multi-nationals are setting up shop in Logan due to its prime location, spread between Brisbane and Gold Coast, where commercial property opportunities are abundant and affordable.

Sparking this growth fuse is the Berrinba Industrial Area, where Mitre 10 has just constructed a $50 million warehouse. The 27,000 sqm operation will create 110 jobs. Pinnacle Hardware has also taken up 14,000 sqm with a new $22 million distribution centre.

Neighbours will include Queensland Logistics Service (15,000 sqm) Huhtamaki (12,000 sqm) and global technology giant Alphabet who will bring its autonomous drone delivery service Wing to Australia this year and will occupy 15,000 sqm at Berrinba.

The world’s largest online education and training aggregator GO1 will also call Logan home following a Logan City Council initiative to attract investment and projects that provide significant economic benefits and job creation for Logan.

GO1 co-founder vu Tran said running a global company from Queensland made practical sense.

“Logan is a high-growth area and well-connected with its transport infrastructure, making it easy for our staff to travel and have a work-life balance that is the envy of many,” he said.

Nearby at Eagleby, national coffee franchisor Zarraffa’s Coffee has relocated its headquarters from the Gold Coast with a $20 million open plan head office space, combined with a roastery and an expanded warehousing, packaging and distribution hub spanning 18,000 sqm.

It is part of the $50 million Distillery Road Market project undertaken by Zarraffa’s founder and managing director Kenton Campbell.

Set to open before 2021, it will become world class destination, focused around peoples’ love of great food experiences and the communal activities food provides.

The American ex-pat said the timing was right to relocate midway along the growth corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

“The alignment and relocation of facilities for Zarraffa’s and the launch of Kiwanda Café also signifies the start of an incredible destinational opportunity within our new home at Distillery Road Market,” he said.

“Australia really is the land of opportunity and this particular part of the country is the perfect location to grow business, to foster dreams and deliver experiences like no other.”

This entrepreneurial ethos has also spurred others to base in Logan including Dnata, one of the world’s largest air services providers offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across five continents; packaging giant Avery Dennison; global logistics company DHL; vehicle transport freighters CEVA; wholesale distributor Metcash; Evolve Group and National Tiles.

Logan City Council Director of Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, said Logan boasted a number of key attributes which made it attractive for big business.

“This investment is a great example of the increased business confidence we are seeing in Logan as an increasing number of multinational companies now call the City of Logan home,” he said.

“City of Logan is in a premium location near the M1, has great access to major transport nodes and Brisbane International Airport and has plenty of open space.”

Economic analysis of Logan showed a 3.9 per cent increase in Gross Regional Product (GRP) to $11.77 billion for 2017-18.

In the last financial year Logan’s population grew by almost 2 per cent to 326,615, the number of businesses grew by 3.4 per cent to 21,978 and the number of jobs based in Logan grew by 7.8 per cent to 115,575.

Data shows the number of Logan residents working in the city has increased with the majority of jobs in construction, health and social, retail and manufacturing sectors.

Retail interest piqued for new SEQ food destination

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One hundred and fifty interested retailers attended a night of discovery, at the official unveiling of commercial leasing opportunities at Distillery Road Market (DRM).

Held onsite at Kiwanda Café on Thursday 29th August, the event combined live music, drinks and presentations from key spokespeople, including the developer of the project, Zarraffa’s Coffee entrepreneur Kenton Campbell.

Throughout the evening, attendees were presented with information designed to answer key questions about the new precinct and hear about the diverse range of flexible spaces available to establish or grow their businesses.

Director, Strategy and Sustainability at Logan City Council, David Hansen, addressed the crowd expressing positivity around the attraction of a destinational project of the scope of DRM to the city, which aligned perfectly with Logan City Council’s strategic vision for growth in the region.

Mr Hansen explained the many benefits of the DRM project for the Logan area, including the improvement of liveability for the residents, it’s influences on driving tourism to the area, as well as increased employment opportunities.

Mr Hansen affirmed that Logan City Council is fully behind the project and are eager to see the vision realised to its full potential in late 2020.

Kenton Campbell, addressed the attendees, delivering an impassioned overview of his ‘retailer first’ approach to being a landlord as CEO of Tonken Property Group, the DRM project developer.

“It will be a great environment and fair-trading platform where tenants have the opportunity to deliver something truly special and unique,” he said.

“Our trading conditions are an indication of how DRM is seeking to ensure retailers thrive with a four-day trade week, from Thursday to Sunday, with select operators given the ability to trade up to seven days a week.”

Associate Director of Retail Leasing for Colliers International, Luke McGrath, also addressed guests revealing that Colliers was initially apprehensive about taking on the project – a project that doesn’t fit the standardised shopping centre model – until they saw the vision and realised that it was going to be something special.

He explained how the precinct would operate as a proper market; an incredible experience-fuelled destination.

“With flexible lease lengths, a range of fitout inclusions and a compelling events and marketing strategy, DRM is sure to entice only the best operators in the market,” said Mr McGrath

At the conclusion of the presentations, attendees were invited to view the Zarraffa’s Coffee headquarters and the DRM space before attending an in-depth precinct leasing presentation in the new amphitheatre, showcasing the trading opportunities in further detail.

All guests were invited to fill out an expression of interest form and so far, interest is high.

“We are thrilled with the turnout to the retailer event but also in general to leasing enquiries and commercial interest,” said Mr Campbell.

“DRM is a fantastic opportunity for retailers to build their business in what is expected to be a truly exceptional market that will transform people’s expectations of what is possible from a lifestyle destination.

“We want the best operators, who see this as a home for their business. We only need one or two of each category; ultimately the opportunity is limited. But for those who are interested, I encourage you to get on board now.”

Expressions of interest can be lodged via www.drm.market or contact Luke McGrath – Colliers International luke.mcgrath@colliers.com | 0418 295 091

Whitewater adventure park to make a splash in Logan

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Logan City Council has progressed its whitewater adventure park plans with the completion of a pre-feasibility study outlining a unique $65 million tourism asset that would also suit a future Olympic Games venue.

The Lucid Economics study shows the park would cater to a raft of activities including kayaking, canoeing, guided rafting, swift water rescue training, unguided rafting and tubing and inflatable obstacle courses.

A restaurant and retail component as well as trails, zip lines, challenge courses and areas ideal for school holiday programs, promotions and special events would also feature.

Logan City Council Director of Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, said the project would be an exciting tourism boon for the city and would provide significant economic benefits.

The study was earmarked as a priority under Council’s Logan Destination Management Plan 2018-2022.

“This pre-feasibility study is the first phase to see how a project like this would stack up and early indications are that it ticks all the boxes,” he said.

“With potential to become an iconic tourism asset for our growing city, the facility could also be adapted as an Olympic venue through the provision of associated spectator and safety infrastructure or used as a training venue for elite athletes.”

During the construction phase it is estimated that 147 full time jobs would be created with a further 114 employed once complete.

Given Logan’s sub-tropical climate, the facility could operate all year round. The provision of a dual channel facility will also help to maximise usage and revenue during busier summer months when elite athletes from the northern hemisphere could train during their winter in the warmer southern hemisphere climate.

“The possibilities are endless and its ideal location between Gold Coast and Brisbane would attract local residents in the broader region, interstate and international visitors, national and international elite athletes, school groups, corporates and children’s parties,” Mr Hansen said.

Following a Committee endorsement today, confirmation by Council resolution next week will allow officers to proceed with the development of a business case to facilitate investment and will include further work on identifying a preferred site.

Logan has a significant catchment of 3.1 million residents within an hour’s drive from the city. This population is expected to grow to around five million by 2041.

Park Ridge potential to be unlocked

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A strategy by City of Logan to fast-track the development of commercial and industrial land to create jobs and attract new business will turn its focus to Park Ridge.

Council commenced its Next Generation Employments Lands Strategy in 2017. The project is designed to promote and facilitate the development of mixed-use, low-impact and medium-impact industry zoned land to provide greater certainty for business, investors and the community.

A key strategic action of the project is to undertake a Park Ridge economic corridor study to efficiently design and deliver infrastructure. The industry zoned area in Park Ridge forms an integral part of the major enterprise and industrial area defined in the Regional Plan of State Government (ShapingSEQ).

Park Ridge and Priority Development Areas Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone collectively account for 45 per cent of the city’s economic growth, or almost 30,000 jobs, of the projected employment of 66,000 jobs for the city by 2041.

Council’s Director of Strategy and Sustainability David Hansen, said Park Ridge remains undeveloped and untested in the market.

“It is important to undertake more detailed land use and infrastructure planning to increase investor confidence and protect the industrial zoned area from encroachment,” he said.

“Failure to do so will result in Logan losing its regional competitiveness in the supply of major industrial zoned land within the next five to10 years.”

Mr Hansen said Park Ridge risked missing out on vital infrastructure investment unless this strategy is developed and implemented to ensure its future competitiveness.

“For Park Ridge to remain competitive, the efficient design and delivery of infrastructure, including roads, needs to be further explored. Issues such as improved accessibility for the north-south connectivity are essential to attract new industrial development,” he said.

“We want to develop a market-ready industrial land bank and Park Ridge is a crucial component of the strategy.”

Mr Hansen also noted some developer uncertainty brought on by a lack of detail around the timing and delivery of the proposed Park Ridge Connector by the State Government.

KBF Precinct set to become major events destination

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The redeveloped Kingston Butter Factory (KBF) Precinct will become the new home of large-scale entertainment in Logan in 2020.

The space will become the City of Logan’s largest outdoor venue, with a permanent stage and capacity for 5000 people.

It will be positioned to attract national and international touring acts, as well as festivals, markets and signature local events.

Located adjacent to the Kingston railway station, the venue will not only be a boost for Logan residents but will be easily accessible for visitors and those who live in neighbouring cities including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Ahead of its opening next year, Council has allocated funding to create an exciting program of events for the outdoor space that will appeal to all ages and ensure the KBF Precinct becomes a highly valued destination.

The outdoor space is part of the Kingston Butter Factory Precinct Redevelopment Project, for more information visit the website.

Summits shape exciting futures for city centres

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Two key city centres in Logan will receive $10 million in funding to deliver projects that will drive investment and economic growth.

Funding forms part of the 2019/20 Budget delivered by Logan City Council.

Meadowbrook’s evolution into a health and wellbeing precinct will be boosted with $5 million, with another $5 million set aside to unlock the economic potential of Logan Central.

Logan City Council Strategy and Sustainability Director David Hansen, said funding for the city centres was set aside following successful Council-hosted summits last year.

Officers from Council’s Economic Development and Strategy team collated the feedback from summit attendees and community members to compile a list of priority projects.

“This funding means we can take these projects from being ideas on paper through to the planning, detailed designed, and ultimately delivery stages,” Mr Hansen said.

“Meadowbrook is well-placed to become a leading health precinct.

“It is already home to the Logan Hospital, Griffith University and TAFE campuses, making it Logan’s prime site for health care and advanced education.

“This funding will allow for infrastructure upgrades along Loganlea Road, such as a new pedestrian crossing between the hospital and shopping centre, as well as projects aimed at attracting health-care and education investment to the area.

“Logan Central is another significant city centre, incorporating Council offices and chambers, the Logan Entertainment Centre, major retail centres and a richly diverse community.

“This funding will allow Council to proceed with projects that stimulate the local economy and enhance its standing as the cultural centre of Logan.”

Some of the key projects identified for Logan Central include:

  • A shared pathway and promenade from Wembley Rd to Logan Gardens, connecting to the upcoming water park, incorporating gathering spaces, street furniture, lighting and public art
  • Free Wi-Fi to Logan Gardens
  • A Streetscape Masterplan for the Croydon Road Precinct, including Croydon Road and its laneways, Station Road, Railway Parade and Blackwood Road and delivery of streetscape upgrades
  • Place Branding, Centre Activation and Building Improvement Strategies aimed to improve place identity, improving a night time economy and encouraging land owners and business to invest in upgrades to shop fronts

Projects for Meadowbrook include:

  • Delivering a new pedestrian crossing on Loganlea Road between Logan Hospital and Meadowbrook Woolworths Shopping Centre
  • Create a ‘Meadowbrook Leadership Group’ comprising of key stakeholders to champion Meadowbrook as Logan’s premier destination for health-care and education investment
  • Implement works to start the transformation of Loganlea Road into a ‘Healthy Street’, including street scaping and street trees, an improved pedestrian environment and off-road cycle infrastructure
  • Develop a transport and parking strategy for Meadowbrook, including a feasibility study for multi-level car parking

In addition to the above funding, an initial $300,000 has been set aside for the planning of place-making projects and programs for Jimboomba, to deliver on the key outcomes from the Jimboomba Summit, Council’s most recent summit.

Jimboomba’s centre provides essential retail, commercial, community and educational services to the regional community, including the rapidly-growing Flagstone development.

About 200 community members and business owners attended the March event to give their feedback on projects that could meet the needs of a growing community and boost the local economy.

A list of priority projects is still to be determined. In previous budgets, $5 million was allocated to Beenleigh and Springwood following similar summits in those locations.

Infrastructure deal paves way for communities to prosper

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The Palaszczuk Government, Logan City Council and nine key developers have signed a landmark agreement to deliver $1.2 billion of essential infrastructure for the Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone priority development areas (PDAs).

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the deal is the largest infrastructure agreement of its type to be executed by any government in Australia and will secure the infrastructure needs of the community over the next 45 years.

“Today’s announcement is about ensuring high quality infrastructure to support these growing communities over the next four decades,” he said.

“Flagstone and Yarrabilba are in Queensland’s fastest growing population corridor, with estimates that by 2066 there will be 200,000 people living in these areas.

Mr Dick said Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows during 2017-2018 Queensland had the highest interstate migration of 24,700 people.

“We boast amazing weather, beautiful natural landscapes and opportunities for employment and investment, it’s no wonder Queensland is a magnet for interstate migration.

“To support and service these emerging communities we need to deliver essential infrastructure, and this agreement proves the necessary funding and framework to deliver local roads, water and sewerage facilities.

“Some 170 kilometres of council roads will be upgraded through these developer contributions and over the next six years alone, the agreement will see up to $400 million in infrastructure investment, which will support more than 130 construction jobs each year.”

Across the two development areas, many services and facilities have already been delivered, including two primary schools, retail precincts, the Yarrabilba Family and Community Place, sports and community hub and major sports and recreational parks. A state primary and high school are scheduled to open in 2020 as well as independent schools.

There are two further schools (one state and one independent) each in the planning phase for greater Flagstone and Yarrabilba.

Logan City Council Interim Administrator, Tamara O’Shea, welcomed the agreement.

“The nine key developers will fund the infrastructure through upfront charges, over and above their development costs within the PDAs.

“This guarantees the roads, water supply and wastewater infrastructure needed to connect the emerging communities with the surrounding networks are delivered without placing an impost on existing ratepayers.

“These two PDAs will deliver a substantial portion of the new housing needed in South East Queensland over the next three to four decades.

“This historic agreement provides the foundation for these new communities to become part of the city of Logan,” she said.

Member for Jordan, Charis Mullen MP, who represents the Greater Flagstone area congratulated all parties on reaching an agreement.

“It’s always been a priority to ensure that the infrastructure required to meet the needs of the community keeps pace with these new development areas.

“The agreement paves the way for a strong and growing community in the area which will benefit new and existing residents.”

Member for Logan Linus Power, who represents the Yarrabilba area said the infrastructure will benefit all of southern Logan, not just the Flagstone/Yarrabilba areas.

“It is critical that new residents in these communities have the infrastructure to deliver reliable water supply, environmentally-responsible wastewater treatment systems, practical pedestrian and cycle linkages and an effective and safe road network,” he said.

“Developer investments will ensure the infrastructure is built to accommodate young families as they move in.”

Prominent Flagstone developer Peet Limited welcomed today’s announcement.

Peet’s Queensland General Manager Michael Stone said they are excited to be part of the partnership with the Logan City Council and the State Government.

“We are proud of our fast-growing Flagstone community, and our contribution to building critical infrastructure which will support families for many years to come, like the fantastic regional park we are meeting at today.”

Yarrabilba developer, Lendlease Communities General Manager for Queensland, Guy Gibson said the strong level of collaboration and commitment by all parties will see major infrastructure improvements and support the ongoing planning and servicing for the Yarrabilba community and Greater Flagstone.

“New, high-quality communities like Yarrabilba have a vital role to play in accommodating the continued growth of the region,” Mr Gibson said.

“The finalisation of these Infrastructure Agreements with the State Government and Logan City Council is an important milestone in ensuring that over the next 45 years the project continues to be well planned and appropriately serviced.”

Mr Dick said that the infrastructure agreement is sustainable, encourages appropriate development, and provides landowners and developers with certainty.

“We are delivering the essential services and infrastructure to ensure our state can grow.”

For more information about Greater Flagstone and Yarrabilba Priority Development Areas, visit www.edq@dsdmip.qld.gov.au

Logan Planning Scheme 2015 Version 6 released

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The Logan Planning Scheme commenced on 18 May 2015. Council has committed to ensuring that our Planning Scheme is a living and evolving document that responds to community, business, investment and environmental needs and changes.

Over the past 4 years not only has significant development occurred across the City, the Planning Scheme has also been instrumental in achieving numerous community and environmental accolades as well. As part of Council’s commitment to ensuring an updated and responsive Planning Scheme, Council has released its most up to date Version 6.

This new version of the planning scheme will give effect to nine planning scheme amendments and is a milestone in the evolution of Logan’s Planning Scheme.

The City of Logan recognises the importance of niche culinary tourism. For this reason, an amendment to the planning scheme is reducing red tape for microbreweries and coffee roasteries. Where microbreweries were formerly subject to the highest levels of planning assessment in many parts of the city, the small-scale brewing of beer and cider is now widely supported with less undue regulation. This reduction in red tape will allow for the continued growth of this valued emerging industry.

Industry Thresholds

  • Allowance for water and emission-intensive developments (brewery, coffee roasting, garlic press, etc.) to be code assessable (formerly impact assessable).
  • Updated thresholds table to reflect current technologies (e.g. vehicle brakes no longer contain asbestos).
  • Support for niche culinary tourism industry uses by lowering them from High/Medium Impact Industry uses to Low Impact Industry uses.
  • Significant reduction in number of impact assessable development applications.

Hours of Operation in the Mixed Use Zone

  • The requirement for development in the Mixed Use Zone to restrict operating hours to 6am to 7pm where adjoining particular zones has been removed

Version 6 of the Logan Planning Scheme 2015 has taken into account feedback from our residents and other community members about the type and extent of future development in the city. In response to this feedback, this new version of the scheme addresses specific concerns including changes to auxiliary units and Logan Reserve.

Council has a responsibility to ensure that there is housing diversity and affordability options for existing and future residents. However, over the last few years there has been an increasing number of auxiliary units being constructed in the city. An increase in auxiliary units for investment purposes was never the intent of Council. Rather the key purpose was to make it easier for residents to build a secondary dwelling on their existing home sites for their families and extended families.

Council reviewed and revised its policy position on auxiliary units and in version 6 of the scheme there is increased requirements on developers in relation to minimum lot size, road frontages, and on-site car parking spaces as well as the siting of the dwellings. From the 1st July 2018 Council introduced the payment of infrastructure charges for auxiliary unit development to ensure that where development was increasing additional dwellings on residential lots that developers were paying for the increased demand being placed on our critical infrastructure such as roads, water, parks and sewerage.

Auxiliary Units

  • Minimum lot size requirement of 450m² is located in the administrative definition
  • Minimum frontage requirement of 15m (acceptable outcome)
  • Requirement for five on-site car parking spaces (acceptable outcome)
  • Requirement for 5.5m wide crossover and driveway
  • Siting performance outcomes have been revised to reduce ability for siting variations

Logan Reserve

  • A Land Use Area Plan for Logan Reserve is now located in the Strategic Framework. This guides the land uses and residential densities in the plan area.

For more information visit the Logan Planning Scheme 2015 website.

Council is committed to maintaining a current and contemporary planning scheme which reduces red tape and provides simpler and more consistent planning regulation and policy. This is in accordance with the community’s expectations to support greater economic development opportunities, while recognising and enhancing our key environmental and regional landscape values. Council has developed a program of regular future amendments and welcomes the feedback of the community.

New planning and development portal leads the way

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Logan City Council recently launched the Logan PD Hub, replacing the Logan Interactive Mapping Tool as a next generation online service to support planning and development in the City of Logan.

The PD Hub preserves existing functionality, such as the popular Property Report, Infrastructure Charges Estimator and the award winning Environmental Offset Estimator, and delivers some great new functions and usability features.

These new functions includes a free Flood Level Report as well as the Planning Enquiry tool. The Planning Enquiry tool was made possible by a grant from the Queensland Government’s Innovation and Improvement Fund.  As well as identifying the zones and overlays for a property, the tool makes key elements of the planning scheme easier to understand, by helping users find a site for a proposed activity or figure out what activities can be carried out on any site in the city, and what development ‘rules’ apply. This tool is a Queensland first.

The Logan PD hub allows you to:

  • Obtain a free flood report for your property (or the one you’re looking to buy….).
  • Find a property suitable for an activity you have in mind, or find out what you can do on a selected property (e.g. build a child care centre, subdivide it, open a car yard)
  • View interactive maps from the Logan Planning Scheme (zones, overlays, etc.) and find out what zone your property is in, and what overlays/constraints apply (e.g. flooding, bushfire, biodiversity etc.).
  • View development applications (planning, plumbing or building) in your area.
  • Developing in Logan?  Find out the application fees and what infrastructure charges may be applicable.
  • Get fast, free access to the As-Constructed plans Council holds for your property.
  • Clearing vegetation?  Get an estimate of the applicable financial offset.
  • Link directly to Logan’s open data portal to view/download datasets and find more apps (e.g. Park Finder, MyProperty, art and heritage trails)
  • Access other useful info and tools quickly (e.g. Logan Planning Scheme, development application lodgement, economic / investment and business support services).

For more information visit the Logan PD Hub information page.