Report to the Region

My message in the Logan and Redlands Region October to December 2022 Quarterly Report noted the impetus the October 2020 RDA’s release of Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland had provided for developing and growing a communications strategy whereby the RDA regularly meets with key stakeholders from within the Logan and Redlands Region and from adjacent regions.

This allows the RDA to directly hear about the challenges and opportunities facing the Logan and Redlands and broader Region as it continues its repair from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic and confidently explores opportunities arising from the SEQ City Deal and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Board has come away from these meetings with a substantially deeper understanding of the issues confronting the local economy and the residents of the Region. This enabled the RDA to plan for and conduct its To 2042 and Beyond : Investing in SEQ Summit in September 2022.

Reflecting the extensive consultations and the RDA’s commitment to the long term, the Summit considered a broader South East Queensland context in addressing impediments to and opportunities for regional economic growth. It is the position of the RDA while the key events such as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide great incentive for regional investment, it is necessary to ensure the legacies benefit the regional economy and its community, extend well beyond 2032 and are across South East Queensland.

Drawing together the outcomes from the above work of the RDA, the Strategic Regional Plan Logan and Redlands: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth was released in February 2023 reflecting the need for cohesive, co-ordinated and long-term strategic regional planning. The Plan lays out the long-term, broad goals to be achieved as the Region pursues its economic development, social cohesion and environment sustainability goals.

The tactical planning is being documented through the raising of the RDA’s 2023 to 2024 business plan which will include the short-term steps and actions to be taken to achieve the goals from the Strategic Regional Plan. The 2023 to 2024 business plan will be made available publicly once cleared for release in mid 2023.

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

For further information on the RDA, go to rdaloganandredlands.org.au. Information on Board members is available here.

The Hon. Gary Hardgrave
Chair
Regional Development Australia Logan & Redlands Inc

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2023 passed the Commonwealth Parliament on 29 March 2023.

The Bill establishes the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) Corporation as a corporate Commonwealth entity modelled on the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

The NRF Corporation will provide finance in the form of debt and equity for projects in priority areas of the Australian economy to diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy. Its investments will leverage Australia’s natural and competitive strengths and help Australian industry move up the value chain. It will be governed by a Board which will make independent investment decisions guided by an investment mandate.

NRF investments will help grow Australia’s industrial capabilities, improve value-adding manufacturing opportunities and create secure jobs.

Read the legislation as passed by both houses of Parliament, and the explanatory memoranda, on the Parliament of Australia website.

On 6 April 2023 the Interim Chief Executive Inland Rail, at the Australian Rail Track Corporation advised Dr Kerry Schott’s Review of the Inland Rail project had been received. The review acknowledges how important the Inland Rail project is in transforming freight in Australia but outlined several concerns around planning, governance and delivery of the program.

The independent Inland Rail Review is available here and the Australian Government’s response which accepts all 19 recommendations made by Dr Schott is available here.

Inland Rail will continue to work with all its stakeholders towards the successful delivery of an efficient freight rail transport system and understands it must be done as efficiently as possible.

The Chair of the ARTC Board has released a statement which is available here.

Inland Rail will continue to work with the Australian Government to review the recommendations and will provide updates in due course.

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 directly reflects this Charter.

Specifically, over the period October to December 2022, the RDA:

• visited Macleay Island to meet key stakeholders
• submitted to National Skills Commission 2023 Skills Priority List (SPL) Stakeholder Survey
• released the quarterly report to the region for the period October to December 2022
• discussed sponsorship opportunities with local organisations
• participated in Swinburne University transport digitalisation and automation report webinar
• provided a submission the Cyber Secure Queensland Strategic Plan consultation (Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy)
• participated at Logan Chamber of Commerce Bring a Business Buddy Breakfast Meeting
• participated at Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Procurement & Social Enterprise Breakfast Event
• participated in Redlands Connect discussions
• participated in Online Briefing with the Hon Min Kristy McBain MP
• Board met and in partnership with key stakeholders released the Strategic Regional Plan Logan and Redlands : Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth
• participated in the Redlands Regional Jobs Committee futures forum
• met with Department of Employment, Small Business and Training officials to support the establishment of a Redlands small business hub
• met with Redland City Council officers
• met with Logan Office for Economic Development official
• met with Councils and key stakeholders on status of emerging Australian Government programs
• participated in Early Childhood and Allied Health Industry Forum meetings
• hosted industry at the CEDA Queensland Transport Infrastructure Update event with the Hon Mark Bailey, Minister for Transport and Main Roads;
• participated in the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program virtual roundtable
• participated in the SEQ RDA Alliance meeting
• participated at the Redland City Council Stronger Communities Strategy Community Workshop
• participated at Redlands Regional Jobs Committee meeting
• met with stakeholders including the RDA in the Cairns area
• met with stakeholders including the RDA in the Townsville area
• met with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
• attended Port of Brisbane and Brisbane Airport Corporation presentations hosted by Suburban Futures
• met with key stakeholders through visit to Canberra.

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 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
• Sunshine Coast
• Wide Bay Burnett.

The RDAs met on 16 to 17 March 2023 in Stanthorpe to discuss, amongst other things:

• likely focus areas and scope for collaboration for inclusion in 2023 to 2024 business plans
• 2023 RDA Key Priorities Matrix within and across RDAs
• circular economy initiatives. 

The Alliance next meets on 15 to 16 May 2023 in the Logan and Redlands Region.

Update on Australian Government Programs

Growing Regions Program and the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program

On 27 October 2022 (i.e., immediately following the handing down of the Federal Budget on 25 October 2022) the Australian Government released the following information:

The Australian Government is committed to providing equitable and fair access to funding for community infrastructure that will help drive economic prosperity across the regions.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon Catherine King MP has announced that following extensive consultation and review of the funding process, the Australian Government is adopting a new approach to restore accountability, transparency and fairness to regional infrastructure grant programs. Information on the announcement can be found in the Minister's media release.

On Tuesday 25 October 2022, the Federal Budget provided details on changes to the Government’s investment in Australia’s regions. This budget included a commitment to $1 billion worth of investment over 3 years in community programs to improve regional liveability.

There will be two new regional investment programs - the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and the Growing Regions Program.

The regional Precincts and Partnerships Program will provide a strategic, nationally consistent mechanism for funding and coordinating larger-scale projects that transform a place, to benefit communities in regional cities and wider rural and regional Australia.

The Growing Regions Program will deliver investment in regional infrastructure and community projects for regional local councils and not-for-profit organisations through an open and competitive grants process.

As previously announced, the following two grant programs will close:

(1) Building Better Regions Fund - all contracted projects from Rounds 1-5 will be honoured. Round 6 will not proceed. Applicants who applied for funding under Round 6 of the BBRF will be able to apply for the Growing Regions Program.

(2) Community Development Grants Programme - will be replaced by more transparent models of delivering election commitments and will be delivered through the new Priority Community Infrastructure and Investing in Our Communities Programs.

In relation to the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, information is available here.

In relation to the Growing Regions Program, information is available here. 

Stronger Communities Programme – Round 8

Information on the Stronger Communities Programme – Round 8 is available here. 

Broadly the Stronger Communities Programme provides each of the 151 Federal electorates with $150,000 to fund small capital projects. Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) identify potential projects and invite applications from their electorate. Details are:

Closing date: Wednesday 10 May 2023 5:00pm AEST 

What do you get? Up to $20,000 of funding for capital projects 

Who is this for? Applicants are invited to apply by their local MP.

Priority Community Infrastructure Program

The Priority Community Infrastructure Program aims to deliver the Australian Government's 2022 Federal election commitments for community infrastructure and identified commitments of the previous government of over $5 million, and selected commitments under $5 million. Information on the Program is available at here, which includes proponents being invited to apply for an Investing in Our Communities Program grant including across the Logan and Redlands Region.

General Funding Information 

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 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 at admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au.