New Logan ‘medtropolis’ on track to become Australia’s largest suburban based medical precinct

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The development of one the country’s largest and most innovative suburban based medical precincts is set to commence.

“The Southwest Medical Precinct will be a significant development for the Logan region, and indeed for Greater Brisbane, and we are proud to announce that not only is the project now underway – we have also secured commitment from UQ Health Care for a 725m2 ground floor tenancy of the complex,” Matthew Cummins, the associate director from property development specialists DMA Partners, said today.

“This is such brilliant news for the complex which is due for completion in late 2021.”

UQ Health Care is a leading primary care, clinical innovation and research organisation owned by The University of Queensland. The new UQ Health Care site will provide an extensive range of health services, from the treatment of acute illness to preventive health services, including health assessments, chronic disease prevention/management, pregnancy and paediatric care, women’s and men’s health, work related injuries/assessments, vaccinations, travel health and much more. It will also provide essential training opportunities for the next generation of doctors, nurses and allied health.

“UQ Health Care will bring over 100,000 people to the centre every year. This combined with all the other retailers and businesses is going to make for a very busy precinct,” Cummins said.

Situated on a prominent corner of Logandowns Drive in the suburb of Meadowbrook, Logan, the new centre will be a multi-level facility comprising over 2,000m2 of mixed retail, medical and office space.

“There is a reason the Southwest Medical complex is already being coined a key component of the broader  ‘medtropolis’ – this centre is going to thrive and become a bustling centre for a broad range of health, wellness and other related products and services,” Benjamin Horwell, of the Horwell Group, said.

“It will also offer sit down and take away food options and a raft of other retailing options. The centre shares over 400 carparks with the neighbouring Meadowbrook Plaza Shopping Centre, providing free parking right up to the door front of many service providers.  The precinct will be a state-of-the-art hub for regional connections and community activity.”

The Southwest Medical Precinct, owned by Horwell Property Investments, is the final commercial development of a 100 hectare site first purchased by the Hoare family in 1986. The development is adjacent to the Woolworths-anchored Meadowbrook Plaza Shopping Centre and Caltex service station, both completed in 2015.

“The Southwest Medical Precinct is going to be one of the busiest community hubs in Logan once it is launched next year,” Cummins added.

“Many businesses and retailers are already expressing interest in the site which is testament to the level of anticipation and excitement surrounding the development. Sites and leases are currently available in the centre and opportunities are available for retail and complementary medical providers and specialists from 68m2 to 1,000m2.

“The centre is ideal for medical and allied health operators, health professionals and specialists, commercial office users and associated retailers. We also have scope for a café operator.”

“We are really pleased with the strong level of leasing interest. The addition of UQ Health Care to the centre supports our leasing strategy and anchors our health and lifestyle focused facility,” Horwell said.

Located 200m from Logan Hospital, and complemented by a strongly performing Woolworths supermarket, the centre will offer its tenants and customers unrivalled exposure and convenience.

Just minutes from the Logan Motorway and M1, and surrounded by multiple major bus and train stops, this bustling medical precinct will be a one-stop-shop for locals of the surrounding region.

“Imagine the functionality and convenience for families and workers who will be able to access important health and wellness services locally and shop for lifestyle and grocery needs in one complex,” Horwell said.

“Not to mention all the jobs the precinct will create. This development really is a good news story at a time when the whole country needs some positive uplifting.”

The Southwest Medical Precinct development has generated significant enthusiasm and support across the area with many people seeing it as a positive sign of life returning to normal post COVID.

“The design by Cottee Parker Architects is modern and fresh, and the abundance of free parking means the centre will be accessible and convenient to all. The medical complex will also act as an overflow for the neighbouring Logan Hospital, which means those across the area will be able to access the medical services they need and deserve,” Horwell said.

“The development builds on Logan City Council’s vision within the Meadowbrook Master Plan, to be a Health and Knowledge Precinct for the city. We commend council for their forward-thinking outlook for Meadowbrook. They have been investing in the future of the city through significant funding and also planning and place making projects including the Loganlea Road Healthy Street project and a public art/creative lighting strategy and projects.

“Southwest Medical Precinct will be the new heartbeat of Logan. We are looking forward to progressing the development and welcoming new businesses and retailers in preparation for our launch late next year.”

Leasing enquiries: DMA Partners – 07 3234 4300.

Project Website

New $70m industrial precinct for Meadowbrook

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Work has commenced on a new $70 million industrial development in Meadowbrook, which will ultimately feature 19 warehouses with immediate access to the Logan Motorway.

The project, to be called M6 Connect, will be built on the final 10 hectares of a 100 hectare industrial land holding which commenced development in 1986.

The final site remains under the ownership of the Brisbane-based Hoare family, operating as Beal Street Industrial Park.

The family has joined forces with property firm Development Directive to realise the potential of what is now the final industrial development opportunity in Meadowbrook, with plans to fill a gap in the market for spec and custom built warehouses.

Development Directive is a full-service property firm offering an end-to-end solution, including identifying developable sites, arranging approvals and project management through to delivery of the finished product.

Development Directive has contracted Pensar Infrastructure to complete civil works across the site, which is expected to be completed by September this year, paving the way for construction of warehouses in the first stage.

The first six warehouses will be spec built, with all other lots open to custom builds to suit tenant requirements.

Development Directive director Lachlan Macgregor says M6 Connect will meet demand from companies in the logistics and distribution space looking for a central location and flexible options for short and long term leaseholds.

“The Development Directive model is to identify gaps in the market and then find the perfect site to deliver the right project, and M6 Connect fits this criteria by creating new industrial leasing opportunities in the sought after Gold Coast to Brisbane corridor,” he said.

“Meadowbrook is a well established industrial area, and M6 Connect will be the last industrial estate to be built here, so it really is the final opportunity for businesses to get a foothold in this precinct.

M6 Connect site in Meadowbrook

M6 Connect site in Meadowbrook

“In recent years, a lot of the focus in industrial development has been on vacant land sales with few spec built projects on offer – especially for those looking to lease rather than purchase.

“It’s particularly rare to have an opportunity to lease a custom built warehouse in a brand new development.

“We are intending to offer the lots individually, however tenants will have the ability to amalgamate lots to suit business requirements.

“We are completing the entire civil works program up front, so all sites will be fully serviced and ready for builders to move on site and build warehouses to meet demand.”

M6 Connect is being marketed by Savills and Cushman & Wakefield.

Savills agent Peter Trikamji says M6 Connect offers a range of lot sizes to suit a variety of uses.

“We have already had enquiries from businesses in the commercial cleaning, freighting and logistics hire industries, which are all circling M6 Connect due to its proximity to the Logan Motorway, with easy access to the interchanges for the M1 and Gateway motorways,” he said.

“Sites range from 1,500sqm to almost 6,000sqm, so they are suitable for small to medium scale businesses.

“The project offers value, with leasing rates expected to range from $125 to $140 per square metre.”

Cushman and Wakefield agent Freddie Donne says the industrial market has shown a trend towards quality spec built product.

“In the past 18 months or so we have seen an uptick in interest in spec built offerings. Developers are finding they are able to lease spec built projects ahead of completion,” he said.

“We expect to see continued interest in M6 Connect from businesses looking to move from areas like Acacia Ridge, Slacks Creek and Underwood, which have older warehouses and don’t have the benefit of upgraded infrastructure.

“The ability to lease these spaces also gives businesses greater agility to respond to market activity.”

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES, CONTACT SHEREE BREUST, PROMEDIA, ON (07) 55932 011

Major new office development to start construction next month

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Construction will start next month on the first major commercial office development in Beenleigh.

InvestLogan and Alder Developments have received development approval from State Government and local council to proceed with The York, at 96-98 York St.

The approval allows for an underground carpark and a winter garden overhanging the street.

InvestLogan Chairman Steve Greenwood said the approval for the seven-storey building was an exciting step forward for project partners and the people of Beenleigh.

“We are extremely pleased with this outcome and look forward to getting the project under way in what will be a catalyst for the revitalisation of Beenleigh,” he said.

“The built form of the development pays tribute to Beenleigh’s rich history, urban structure and rural setting in both building form, colour and materials.

“The development is designed to provide a modern interpretation of the distinctive character of Beenleigh’s historic buildings with elements like the winter gardens protecting the street like an awning, while enabling passive surveillance of the active spaces and streetscape.”

Artists impression of The York building in Beenleigh

The York will have 156sq m of ground floor retail, 452sq m of study or home office space and 4003sq m of office space as well as two levels of underground carparking with 10 short term car parks for public use.

It is the first new major commercial office building to be constructed in Beenleigh in the last decade, the project is expected to bring 140 new full-time jobs and 100 construction jobs to the area.

General manager of Alder Developments Greg Tupicoff said preliminary works have commenced to prepare the site for construction and he anticipates work will start in April.

John Lane access and York St access will remain open to pedestrians and vehicles throughout the construction period.

To read more about The York, click here.

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).

Queensland Government announces Indigenous tourism strategy

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The Queensland Government and Tourism & Events Queensland have named 2020 the Year of Indigenous Tourism.

“Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been proudly practicing and preserving their cultures by sharing it with the next generation for tens of thousands of years,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“In modern times, their culture and stories have been an integral part of our tourism industry, attracting people from all around the world to learn more about the world’s oldest cultures.

Tourism Research Australia reports that 351,000 overseas visitors and 116,000 overnight domestic visitors took part in an Indigenous tourism experience in Queensland in the year ending March 2019.

The Queensland Government has launched a new $10 million Growing Indigenous Tourism in Queensland Fund to create economic opportunities and jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

The fund will support new, unique and innovative Indigenous tourism products and experiences in Queensland, particularly in regional areas. The fund comprises 2 categories, offering up to $25,000 to develop concepts for tourism products or experiences, and $250,000 to $1 million to improve or develop key tourism infrastructure or facilities.

Indigenous Tourism Development Service

Additionally, the Queensland Government is establishing a dedicated Indigenous Tourism Development Service to support Indigenous tourism in the state.

The new service would work with emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander operators to start and grow their businesses and products.

“The new Indigenous Tourism Development Service will play a key role, providing on-the-ground support for Indigenous tourism businesses, helping them access government and industry services,” Tourism Minister Kate Jones said.

“This is about growing our tourism industry to create jobs in Queensland.”

SEQ Indigenous Tourism Strategy

The State Government is also working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop an Indigenous tourism strategy for South East Queensland.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government wanted to give tourists greater access to Indigenous cultural experiences and to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with more business and employment opportunities.

“A working group of Traditional Owner groups from SEQ will identify gaps and opportunities to develop the tourism industry to deliver broad benefits across the entire region.”

Sprits of the Red Sand in Beenleigh is one of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences, featuring in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences brochure. The interactive theatrical performance includes dinner served on the homestead’s broad patio and shuttle transfers to and from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Mike Tamaki and Eddie Ruska perfected the play’s dialogue through extensive consultation with community elders, ensuring that the story, based on true events, is told in a way that is at once educational and inspiring.

The success of this experience highlights the opportunities that Logan City Council is keen to encourage. The Logan Destination Management Plan 2018-2022 seeks to position the city as a specialist cultural and arts events centre.

 

Need help establishing or growing your indigenous tourism offering in the City of Logan? Contact us on 07 3412 4888 or send us a message.

 

More information:

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

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.

 

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