Investors sought for Logan’s whitewater park vision

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Logan City Council has approved an Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign as the next step towards the city’s proposed Olympic-standard whitewater park.

The campaign will test the market for private sector interest in the project.

In building a business case for the facility, Council examined delivery models of existing whitewater park operations around the world.

That investigation found a public-private partnership or joint venture to be the best way forward.

As a result, the EOI will explore options not only for construction and operations investment but also the management of the facility.

Logan City Council Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea said an EOI campaign was the logical next step after extensive research and planning into the proposed facility over a number of years.

“There has been an evidence-based approach to this exciting project from the outset, Ms O’Shea said.

“The learnings acquired so far, and the feedback we expect from the EOI, will ensure Council is well-placed to make decisions on a Queensland-first facility that has the potential to deliver significant economic and recreational benefits to the city.”

Potential investors, operators and a range of users from elite athletes, governing bodies and emergency services have already shown interest in the project since Council conducted a Pre-Feasibility Study last year.

Three-time World Cup freestyle kayak champion Jez Blanchard said a world-class whitewater facility in Logan would be a huge asset for city and the wider community.

“Athletes and coaches from all over the world will be drawn to train on the course that will be open year round,” he said.

“Emergency services will also be able to train for swift water rescues.

“There is currently only one specialist white water facility in Australia and that is already 20-years-old.

“To have a top-of-the range, new facility in Queensland is extremely exciting.”

The proposed Logan Whitewater Park aligns with the Logan Destination Management Plan and priorities in Council’s Corporate Plan.

The business case for the facility also aligns with Building Queensland’s comprehensive Business Case Development Framework.

That allows the project to be considered by the State and Federal governments for funding consideration as an infrastructure proposal.

Logan City Council is a partner to South-East Council of Mayors’ feasibility study into a possible bid for the 2032 Olympic Games.

Facilities such as a world-class whitewater park and the recently renovated $3.3 million Doug Larsen Park Olympic-standard BMX freestyle facility would put the City of Logan well-placed to be involved in any future major sporting events.

Construction commences on new $40 million distribution and warehouse facility in Berrinba

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National Logistics Operator McPhee Distribution Services has started work on a $40 million warehouse project at Logan’s premier industrial precinct at Berrinba.

The 40,000 sqm site at Bardon Road, will be developed over three stages with a completion earmarked for June 2023.

Vaughan Constructions has been contracted to build the warehouse, a first for the company in South-East Queensland.

Appliance manufacturer Rinnai Corporation will lease 6000 sqm with McPhee providing overflow storage services.

The development application was lodged under Logan City Council’s RiskSmart initiative and was approved in December last year.

Logan City Council Director Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, said McPhee’s arrival signals new infrastructure opportunities for the Berrinba industrial precinct.

“Berrinba has a long and successful history for Logan. It has been the logistics core of Logan for some years now and has attracted an impressive range of local and international companies,” he said.

“The McPhee development will bring on the early delivery of some major infrastructure. Council has plans for a network of industrial roads around the site and McPhee is partnering with Council on the delivery of those roads.”

It is estimated that 400 various construction-related contractor jobs will be required during construction with around 130 jobs required once operational.

McPhee Distribution Services Managing Director Jay McPhee, said his company would provide long-term national distribution services from its Logan base.

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

Aaron Trask from Vaughan Constructions, McPhee Distribution Services Chief Executive Mark Llambias and McPhee Distribution Services Managing Director Jay McPhee

The project adds to around $100 million in business investment in the past 12 months into City of Logan – South East Queensland’s newest growth region where almost 170,000 sqm in commercial property will be taken up this 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.

McPhee’s neighbours at Berrinba include Mitre 10 which last year constructed a $50 million, 27,000 sqm warehouse; Pinnacle Hardware (14,000 sqm with a new $22 million distribution centre); Queensland Logistics Service (15,000 sqm); food packager Huhtamaki (12,000 sqm) and global technology giant Alphabet who has set up shop with its autonomous drone delivery service Wing (15,000 sqm).

Supplements manufacturer goes from strength to strength

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Business is booming for ATP Science, a Loganholme-based business that will move into a new $15 million, purpose-built facility in Meadowbrook next month.

Director, Jeff Doidge, said the company had evolved from selling supplements to becoming an international supplier.

“My wife and I owned another business in Logan in a retail supplements store selling all over Australia since 2002, so we’ve been in business here almost 20 years,” Jeff says.

“By 2012 we had grown to become one of Australia’s largest specialty sports protein powder retailers, turning over sixty thousand a month, selling imported supplements.”

Jeff said ATP Science was established that year, prompted by the unreliable quality of imported products.

“In the beginning we started on hope, a wing and a prayer and $60,000. In 2013 we used retained earnings to invest in manufacturing and expanding the business,” he said.

“We were manufacturing in the United States, which is supposed to be bigger and better, but we were consistently finding that the supplements were not being made to our specifications so then we brought manufacturing back to Australia.

“We manufactured with a few companies here, but the quality wasn’t there so in 2016 we decided to do the manufacturing ourselves.

“We’ve been doing exceedingly well in Australia and the market has matured for us.

“We are now moving into the mainstream consumable market and that brings in the likes of the major grocery chains, as well as expanding into new overseas markets.”

Jeff says the export market is flourishing, led by the company’s flagship product GutRite.

“New Zealand is our largest export market with the United Kingdom rapidly catching up. The UAE is coming along leaps and bounds–we received our largest ever order from them last December and we are making inroads into the United States with health food and pharmacy chains.”

The company’s success is has not gone unnoticed in the business world.

“We are now in the BRW (Business Review Weekly) Fast 100. We finished 13th in 2018 and we have been experiencing double digit growth since inception and had a few years of triple digit growth, Jeff says.

“We turned over $24 million last year and we expect to sell $30 million in 2020.

Jeff says ATP Science employs 45 people but planned to expand its new facility.

“I anticipate we will have 80 full time staff in 2021 after we consolidate our four sites into the new building. Being purpose built, it has everything – from multiple production lines through to the laboratory, refrigerated warehousing and office space – all under a 7,600 square metre roof.”

ATP Science building in Meadowbrook

The decision to build the new headquarters for ATP Science in Logan was an easy one says Jeff.

“We have great support. We’re working with Griffith University training interns in our lab. We’ve had no problems finding high quality employees and it’s perfectly situated as an international distribution hub.

“We’re proud to be an Australian company and Logan has proved to be a great place for us to do business.”

ATP Science will open its new facility at 47-53 Meakin Rd, Meadowbrook in March 2020. atpscience.com

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).

Demand outstrips supply in Logan accommodation market

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A surge in private and public investment, growing visitor numbers and game-changing tourism projects underway is driving the demand for short-term accommodation in the City of Logan.

Located just 30 minutes’ drive to major destinations – Brisbane to the north and the Gold Coast to the south – Logan welcomes 1.4 million visitors each year and continues to have strong levels of growth in domestic and international overnight travel.

The $12 billion of tourism infrastructure injected into the wider region, places the city in a strategic position to take advantage of the boom in visitors to South East Queensland.

However, recent growth forecasts suggest occupancy rates in Logan will exceed 80 per cent by 2021, set to trigger a severe undersupply of rooms and leakage of trade by 2026.

Logan’s current supply is limited – at around 300 rooms across 12 facilities, it comprises primarily of motel style accommodation concentrated along arterial roads.

Despite high occupancy rates, no new hotel stock has been developed in more than a decade.

As cities like Brisbane focus on servicing the leisure travel market, Logan has the potential to grow its stake in the business travel market.

Home to more than 21,000 registered businesses, many headquarters and operational bases in Logan generate a substantial and continuous demand in overnight room stays.

Just one example is global company John Deere – its headquarters for Australia and New Zealand is located in Logan and receives around 700 domestic visitors every year for training alone.

The demand metrics on population and business growth indicates a need for 65,000 additional room nights in Logan up until 2036 – equivalent to 180 additional rooms.

When compared to similar areas, Logan is undersupplied in the number of commercial short term accommodation rooms relative to population, workers and visitors.

Table showing area, accomodation rooms, pop

Table: Data as at January 2019

As one of the largest employers in the city, the Logan Hospital in Meadowbrook is one of the busiest health service providers in the region and has recently kicked off its $460 million expansion project.

Meadowbrook has been identified as a hotspot for potential accommodation facilities, aligned with Council’s master plan to develop the centre as a medical and health precinct.

With projects like the hospital underway and large private enterprise investing in Logan, the demand could outstrip supply faster than predicted.

In the last financial year, building activity in Logan was valued at over $800 million.

A stream of commercial activity saw large companies including national coffee franchisor Zarraffa’s Coffee, global logistics leader DHL and world-first commercial drone delivery service providers Wing (an Alphabet company) establish their operations in Logan.

Zarraffa’s Coffee moved into their $20 million purpose-built national headquarters from the Gold Coast to Logan in August this year.

The company’s new HQ will support 90 plus stores across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia and provide the space to progress their future expansion plans.

Spanning 18,000 sqm, the site also combines a roastery, a warehousing, packaging and distribution hub, factory concept café, and the $50 million Distillery Road Market project being delivered by the company’s development arm Tonken Property Group.

Headed by founder of Zarraffa’s Coffee, Kenton Campbell, Distillery Road Market is set to become a world-class food experience destination akin to iconic markets such as Chelsea Market in New York and The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney.

Campbell said the timing was right to relocate to Logan, given its central location along the growth corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

“From the point of view of customers, staff and suppliers, there is no better place, than where we are right here,” Campbell said.

“Logan has given me the ability to create something special at Distillery Road Market and for Zarraffa’s.”

Distillery Road Market will be the first of its kind in Logan and Queensland, and is part of a growing tourism cluster in the Beenleigh and Eagleby area.

Local attractions such as Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, Australia’s oldest registered distillery, and award-winning Aboriginal live theatre experience, Spirits of the Red Sand, draw in both domestic and international visitors.

In the next few years, the city’s strategic focus on developing its capabilities in the business, cultural and sports events sectors, will see Logan’s relatively youthful tourism industry continue to evolve.

Over the past 6 months, Logan City Council’s events acquisition program in partnership with Sports Marketing Australia has since attracted attendance of more than 14,000 competitors and spectators across 50 event days.

Rick Sleeman, Managing Director of Sports Marketing Australia said that Logan had an accessible location and the right event infrastructure in place to host major sporting events.

“A capacity and capability assessment identified Logan’s potential to become a sports super centre in South East Queensland,” he said.

“Logan has world-class facilities from PGA standard golf courses, sporting fields, indoor courts and 2000-capacity arenas, plus access to national and international airports making the city an ideal host.”

Crowd watching an indoor basketball game

Image: Logan Metro Sports and Events Centre is the third largest venue in Greater Brisbane accommodating up to 2,100 guests 

In 2018, the Brisbane Roar Football Club invested $9 million to develop a state of the art training facility and operations base at Logan Metro Sports Park and has plans to host tournaments.

And the recent $65 million whitewater adventure park proposal, now at the pre-feasibility stage, will be a game-changer for Logan and the region – with the potential to become an iconic tourism asset and future Olympic Games venue.

The demand for short term accommodation continues to escalate as the line-up of major sporting tournaments join Logan’s events calendar.

Given the strong demand fundamentals and opportunities across business, events and the emerging tourism industry in Logan, there is a demonstrated gap for a business style, specialist hotel or serviced apartments.

To support this shortage in supply, Logan City Council offers incentives for eligible new short term accommodation developments that achieve a 3.5 to 5 star rating.

For more information on development incentives and to download the study on short term accommodation investment opportunities visit www.loed.com.au/investinlogan.

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Global businesses invest in Logan

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With a strong economic track record, historic levels of infrastructure investment in the pipeline and business confidence on the rise – the City of Logan has emerged as a global investment hotspot in South East Queensland.

The launch of autonomous drone delivery services in Logan by Wing – a subsidiary of global technology company Alphabet – is just one of the businesses that have funnelled a total of $100 million of private investment into the city over the past 12 months.

Logan is just one of four locations in the world that now has access to Wing’s air delivery service, which flies a range of convenience items by air in just minutes.

Under the helm of Chief Executive James Ryan Burgess, Wing will focus their Queensland expansion plans in Logan first, with select households in the suburbs of Crestmead and Marsden already having access to the service.

Mr Burgess said what made cities like Logan most attractive for investment was not only the demographic factors but the opportunities driven by growth.

“Logan is one of the fastest growing areas of Queensland, so that’s a great fit for us because drone delivery makes it much easier for people to get the things they need in rapidly expanding metropolises. Logan is also a very innovative community, and the growth and excitement around the city makes it a great place for us to start our Queensland operations.

Logan is located in the heart of South East Queensland where around 70 per cent of the state live, and is predicted to be the second fastest growing city in this region.

In just over 20 years, Logan’s population is predicted to grow more than 50 per cent to around 548,000 residents.

This has led to an unprecedented level of infrastructure investment, with more than $18 billion of publicly funded projects underway to support the growing residential population.

Earlier this year, a $1.2 billion agreement – the largest of its type by any government in Australia, was signed by local authorities and private developers to build essential infrastructure in Logan’s Priority Development Areas Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone.

This follows the completion of Transurban Queensland’s $512 million Logan Enhancement Project in August, which increased freight productivity by reducing road travel times along some of the busiest transport routes in the region.

Major infrastructure projects in the pipeline has triggered a surge in commercial activity along the Logan Motorway corridor, with large national and multinational businesses including Metcash Hardware, DHL, Queensland Logistics Service, Huhtamaki and Pinnacle Hardware setting up operations in Logan’s industrial precincts.

It’s not only the city’s efficient transport connections and affordable land driving this investment, Logan has advantages beyond its borders.

Within a 40 kilometre radius, Logan has access to a regional catchment of over 2.6 million people, a vast network of suppliers and a diverse pool of potential talent for employers to draw from.

GO1.com, the world’s largest on-boarding, compliance and professional development platform, recently relocated their headquarters from Brisbane to Logan to take advantage of this accessibility.

Co-founder Vu Tran said running a global company from Logan was a strategic decision for GO1.com and their future plans.

“Being in Logan has provided us with the opportunity and space we need to grow and also attract the talent that we need for our growing markets,” he said.

“Having businesses like Ikea, John Deere, Avery Dennison all based in the area means they are potential partners for us to engage with.”

GO1.com has offices in the United States, South Africa, Vietnam, United Kingdom and Malaysia, and is on track for further expansion, recently securing more than $30 million of investment led by M12, Microsoft’s venture fund.

The increasing investment in Logan is reflected in the city’s economic report card – an annual 3.9 percent increase in the Gross Regional Product in the year ending 2017-2018 and the highest percentage of jobs growth in over fifteen years.

The arrival of businesses like GO1.com and Wing could mark the beginning of an exciting chapter in the city’s development.

For Wing, the city of Logan will be their largest investment in Australia to date and will play a role in shaping what the company will do in cities around the world.

“We’re really going to be investing here in Logan, learning as much as we can from the community and over time looking to apply that to other countries and cities that we may go to.” Mr Burgess said.

“For now, it’s all our attention on Logan and making sure we offer a great service for the community.”

Why invest in the City of Logan?

Find out more by visiting www.loed.com.au/investinlogan.

 

Contact our specialist team for investment and development related enquiries

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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.