The past 3 years has seen unprecedented, concurrent impacts on Australia’s economic and social environments.

This has included: 

• instability in geo political conditions;
• fires;
• floods;
• drought;
• an enduring pandemic;
• changing work practices;
• a growing call for and reliance on publicly funded business and employee assistance; and
• heightened internal migration.

This changing world has had a major impact on the Logan and Redlands Region and draws attention to this often overlooked Region. Throughout the immediate past, Regional Development Australia Logan & Redlands’ (the RDA) work has included continuing extensive consultations with key stakeholders, engaging resources to capture and categorise data and raising a position paper that captures the focus for the Board’s strategic discussions.

In October 2020 the RDA released Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland which captured key issues and areas of focus. A key current activity for the RDA is reviewing this document to reflect current and emerging opportunities with the intention of challenging the thinking around planning for the Region.

Priority expenditure in outer suburbs is per capita lower than inner city areas, but in addition, road and rail transit corridors in and around the Logan and Redlands Region have been about “passing through” rather than “getting around” the Region. In short, infrastructure expenditure needs to better match the needs of the Region to unleash its strategic importance to economic and employment growth.

It is within this environment the RDA continues to pursue its determined corporate goal of ensuring the Logan and Redlands Region will be at the centre of economic and employment growth for South East Queensland, Queensland statewide and Australia wide.

If you wish to be part of this development work, please contact our Director Steve McDonald at drd@rdaloganandredlands.org.au for further information.

There is still much to be done and, as always, I encourage all in the community to contact me or Steve McDonald to discuss topics of interest.

For further information on the RDA, go to https://rdaloganandredlands.org.au/. Information on Board members is available at https://rdaloganandredlands.org.au/about-us/board.

The Hon. Gary Hardgrave

Chair

Regional Development Australia Logan & Redlands Inc

Following the May 2022 Federal Election the RDA wrote to the following newly appointed Ministers with Regional responsibilities:

• the senior Cabinet Minister, the Hon Catherine King MP is the Member for Ballarat and has been appointed Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications;
• the Hon Kristy McBain MP is the Member for Eden-Monaro and has been appointed Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories; and
• Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm is a Senator for Queensland based at Strathpine and has been appointed Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Assistant Minister for Education.

The RDA conveyed its sincerest congratulations on their election and their Ministerial appointments. In doing so the RDA took the opportunity to provide a brief overview of the RDA’s priorities with an invitation to meet as their schedules allow.

The RDA also wrote to the following elected local members conveying the RDA’s congratulations on their success and extending an invitation for them to also meet the RDA Board as their respective schedules allow.

• Ross Vasta MP : Seat of Bonner;
• Henry Pike MP : Seat of Bowman;
• The Hon Stuart Robert MP : Seat of Fadden;
• Bert van Manen MP : Seat of Forde;
• The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP : Seat of Rankin; and
• The Hon Scott Buchholz MP : Seat of Wright.

The Board has separately expressed its congratulations to The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP on his appointment as Treasurer and wishes him every success as he pursues this key role.

The RDA looks forward to working with the local Federal Members of Parliament and the Albanese Government in any capacity to ensure the economic, social and environmental growth and sustainability of the Logan and Redlands Region.

The next meeting of the Inland Rail Community Consultative Committee (CCC) for the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton section of the Inland Rail project is yet to be settled. In the interim, information relating to key dates, publications and the project timeline is available at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/K2ARB. The CCC membership, Agendas, Minutes and Chair’s summaries from each of the previous meetings of the Committee are available at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/k2arb-ccc.

Status information on the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Inland Rail project is available at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/k2arb-project-update-mar-22/. Information on opportunities for the community available through the Inland Rail build are available at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/where-we-go/projects/kagaru-to-acacia-ridge-bromelton/opportunities.

The Regional Development Australia Charter includes RDAs having an active and facilitative role in their communities with a clear focus on growing strong and confident regional economies that harness their competitive advantages, seize economic opportunities and attract investment.

Collaborating with other RDA Committees, all levels of government, and the private sector, RDAs will:

a) Facilitate regional economic development outcomes, investment, local procurement and jobs.

b) Promote greater regional awareness of and engagement with Australian Government policies, grant programs and research.

c) Improve Commonwealth regional policy making by providing intelligence and evidence based advice to the Australian Government on regional development issues.

d) Co-ordinate the development of a strategic regional plan, or work with suitable existing regional plans that will align with the Commonwealth’s regional priorities.

The work and objectives of RDA Logan & Redlands, as noted in the Message from the Chair, directly reflects this Charter.

Specifically, over the period April to June 2022, the RDA:

• participated at the Logan Manufacturers’ Networking Event;
• held discussions with the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning;
• met Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce;
• sponsored and participated at National Forum: Enabling Better Aged and Community Care For Forgotten Australians;
• participated in Infrastructure Australia review;
• participated at Redlands Champions Boardroom forum;
• met with relevant LGAs on regional migration and workforce development projects;
• met with Logan City Council officials;
• participated in Logan Chambers of Commerce Presidents / Logan City Council bimonthly meetings;
• met with officers from the Logan Office of Economic Development;
• participated in Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Trade and Investment Strategy (2032 Strategy) consultation;
• attended Suburban Futures’ Designing better suburbs: the ingredients for success;
• participated in Building Data Capability webinar #2: a deeper-dive;
• participated in Digital Supply Chains - Traditional to Digital;
• met with Brisbane South East Employment Facilitator and Boosting the Local Care Workforce regarding Care and Support Sector Workforce Strategy;
• participated in the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce “The New Different” breakfast;
• met with incoming RDA Brisbane Executive Director;
• Board visited North Stradbroke and Southern Moreton Bay islands to meet industry and community representatives;
• attended the Logan Chambers of Commerce Joint Breakfast;
• participated at the Redland City Mayor's Launch of the Draft Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan;
• participated at the Australian Logistics Council’s The Race to 2040; Shaping Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Conference;
• held preliminary meeting with officers from Logan City Council and Redland City Council and representatives from the Queensland Departments of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning; and Employment, Small Business and Training on proposed Investment Summit;
• participated at Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Boardroom research lunch;
• held follow up meeting with relevant LGAs on regional migration and workforce development projects;
• held discussion with the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia in relation to proposed Investment Summit;
• participated in Cultural awareness workshop to Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees;
• participated at Combined Logan Chambers Event; and
• participated in Judges Briefing - Redlands Business Excellence Awards 2022.

If you wish to connect with the RDA, please contact its Director Steve McDonald at drd@rdaloganandredlands.org.au. For further information on the RDA, go to https://rdaloganandredlands.org.au.

South East Queensland and adjacent areas are served by several Regional Development Australia Committees including for:

• Brisbane;
• Darling Downs and South West Queensland;
• Gold Coast;
• Ipswich and West Moreton;
• Logan and Redlands;
• Moreton Bay;
• Northern Rivers;
• Sunshine Coast; and
• Wide Bay Burnett.

These RDAs communicate regularly to discuss issues impacting across the South East Queensland region and how best to work together in the interests of this broader region.

The RDAs met on 16 to 17 June 2022 in Redcliffe to discuss linkages between the SEQ City Deal investment, the Infrastructure Australia Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, the 2032 Olympic and Paralympics and Inland Rail.

During its meeting the Alliance agreed to refresh its purpose to include clear statements including around collaborating to enhance economic opportunities for South East Queensland’s regions and advocating for communities within the RDA SEQ Alliance.

When searching for funding, keep in mind you will generally need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. Aside from funding assistance, many programs can help your business by building your skills and knowledge.

GrantConnect [Aust Govt]

GrantConnect publishes forecast and current Australian Government grant opportunities and grants awarded.

Grants Finder [Qld Govt]

Find a grant or assistance in Queensland including information on grants, rebates, loans, subsidies or training.

business.gov.au

The Australian Government's business.gov.au site has information on grants and assistance for business from all levels of Government.

Austrade Export Grants

The Export Market Development Grants scheme is a financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters.

Advance Queensland

Are you an innovator? Browse the range of grants and assistance from Advance Queensland for startups and entrepreneurs.

Logan City Council

Logan City Council offers a range of grants to community organisations, individuals, clubs and services.

Redland City Council

Redland City Council provides grants and sponsorship to individuals and organisations for projects that benefit the local community.

More details are available at https://rdaloganandredlands.org.au/funding.

We are here to work for the Logan and Redlands Region. We welcome being contacted on any issue any member of the community wishes to raise. Please feel free to directly contact us with your comment or query atadmin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au.