“Change is the only constant in life” is attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. The truth behind this quote has never been more evident than in the Logan and Redlands Region and broader South East Queensland region. The challenges and opportunities arise from floods, a pandemic, an upcoming election, the signing of the SEQ City Deal, substantial current and projected population growth and the confirmation of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in a region with massive appeal and the aspiration to lead the way in economic growth. The recent release of Infrastructure Australia’s Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report and the projects included in the SEQ City Deal is a good start to identifying and addressing infrastructure gaps but more commitment to and broader visioning of regional needs is required. 

In October 2020 Regional Development Australia Logan & Redlands released Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland (available at https://rdaloganandredlands.org.au/latest-news/160-rda-logan-redlands-releases-position-paper-for-region). We are in the process of reviewing this document to reflect current and emerging opportunities with the intention of challenging the conservative approach to planning for the region. 

Stage 1 is the development of the Strategic Regional Plan (the successor to Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland). Reflecting the RDA’s commitment to wide and inclusive consultation, we are considering a Summit in the second half of 2022 to bring together key decision makers, funders and stakeholders to identify opportunities for the region. More information will be released on this venture over the coming months. 

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

The Federal Budget was handed down on Tuesday, 29 March 2022. In the Budget the Australian Government announced a record infrastructure investment with a $17.9 billion commitment towards new and existing infrastructure projects in the infrastructure pipeline. 

Key new projects for Queensland in the Budget include: 

• $1.121 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast (Kuraby – Beenleigh) Faster Rail Upgrade; 
• $396 million for the South East Queensland City Deal; and
• $22.5 million for Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032 business case development. 

For further information, go to https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/joyce/media-release/federal-budget-boost-queensland-infrastructure.

As a key activity in the current development of the Strategic Regional Plan noted in the Message from the Chair, the RDA is continuing its skills audit using industry and employment data for the Logan and Redland Local Government Areas (LGAs). 

The value of this work is being added to with the recent release of Infrastructure Australia’s Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report and the projects included in the recently signed SEQ City Deal. 

The anticipated outcome of the research remains a plan for a 10-year projection of skills needs by industry and employment type across the Logan and Redland LGAs. 

The research is being undertaken in collaboration with identified key stakeholders from the region and, as well as being a key contributor to the Strategic Regional Plan, will form a key input into the framing of the summit noted in the Message from the Chair. 

For further information, or to provide comment, please contact research@rdaloganandredlands.org.au

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 expected to be in May 2022. Details will be shared closer to the date to ensure those who would like to attend have that opportunity. 

Information relating to key dates, publications and the project timeline is available here. The CCC membership, Agendas, Minutes and Chair’s summaries from each of the previous meetings of the Committee are available here. 

Status information on the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Inland Rail project is available here. 

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: 

1. Facilitate regional economic development outcomes, investment, local procurement and jobs. 
2. Promote greater regional awareness of and engagement with Australian Government policies, grant programs and research. 
3. Improve Commonwealth regional policy making by providing intelligence and evidence based advice to the Australian Government on regional development issues. 
4. 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 proposed summit and development of the Strategic Regional Plan noted in the Message from the Chair directly reflect this Charter. 

While already established, the RDA is strengthening its relationships with the Queensland Government and the Logan City and Redland City Councils. 

The RDA has a strong commitment to strengthening its engagement and collaboration with each of the following Chambers of Commerce: 

• Straddie Chamber of Commerce; 
• Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce; 
• Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce; 
• Logan Chamber of Commerce; 
• Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce; and 
• Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce. 

The RDA is drafting an engagement plan to strengthen and maintain all its relationships. 

Specifically, over the period January to March 2022, the RDA: 

• visited Southern Moreton Bay Islands stakeholders; 
• participated in the CEDA The great resignation? A job market update webinar; 
• undertook meetings with key Commonwealth Ministers; 
• participated in the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce rebranding launch; 
• met with officials from Redland City Council on emerging regional issues; 
• participated in Logan Chambers of Commerce Presidents / Logan City Council bimonthly meetings; 
• met with officials from Redland City Council on Building Better Regions Fund Round 6 submissions; 
• participated in the CEDA Livestream Economic and Political Outlook 2022; 
• participated in Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce industry breakfast; 
• met with officials from Redland City Council on its Redlands Sport and Recreation Precinct project; 
• participated in the RDA Town Hall Briefing with Minister Trevor Evans on waste reduction and recycling; 
• attended the Suburban Futures breakfast; 
• participated as a member of the Inland Rail Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Community Consultative Committee meeting; 
• participated in AUSTROADS’ : National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy webinar; 
• met with OneSolomons; 
• participated in a Redlands Angels event; 
• attended Mann Judd industry breakfast; 
• participated in Regional Australia Intelligence online meeting chaired by The Hon Nola Marino, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories; 
• participated as a member in the Redlands Regional Jobs Committee meeting; 
• participated in meeting relating to internal southern Queensland skilled migration; 
• discussed the eInvoicing initiative roll out with the Australian Tax Office; 
• participated in the Queensland Futures Institute (QFI) Policy Leaders Breakfast – “Better Cities Better Regions”; 
• participated at the CEDA Infrastructure Conference; 
• participated as a member in the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal Industry Reference Group meeting; 
• participated in the SEQ RDA Alliance meeting and workshop; and 
• participated in the RDA Town Hall with Hon Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner. 

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 24 to 25 March 2022 in Ipswich. Discussions included on linkages between SEQ City Deal investment, Infrastructure Australia Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, Brisbane Olympic Games Organising Committee and Inland Rail.

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.