The usual format of RDA Logan & Redlands’ quarterly report has largely been retrospective. However, the unusual circumstances which 2020 has brought has prompted me to look at where we are and what lies ahead.

As previously noted, while the focus of the country is on COVID-19, your RDA continues its efforts to ensure the voice of the Logan and Redlands Region is heard. RDA Logan & Redlands has a determined corporate goal to ensure the Region will be at the centre of economic and employment growth for South East Queensland, statewide Queensland and Australia wide.

To this end we have recently released Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland. The purpose of this document is to promote discussion and provoke commentary about the economic and social future of the Logan and Redlands Region and the wider South East Queensland. It is hoped its release will generate public interest and debate.

The 6 October 2020 Australian Government Budget includes a number of measures which respond to the unique way regions have been impacted by the events of 2020. These are touched on below and a link is provided to access details of the Budget.

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

If there is any information you wish to draw to the attention of the RDA in relation to the above, please send it to office@rdaloganandredlands.org.au

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

The Budget provides support for regional Australia as it continues to drive our nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relevant highlights aimed at building a strong regional Australia and respond to the unique way regions have been impacted by the events of 2020 include:

• A further $200 million towards a fifth round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), including:
  • $100 million for broader community infrastructure and investment
  • $100 million for tourism-related infrastructure
• $100 million over two years from 2020-21 to fund Regional Recovery Partnerships, which will coordinate investments with other levels of government to support recovery and growth in ten regions
• $41 million in funding for a new Research and Development Program, comprising the Securing Raw Materials Program and a Regional Cooperative Research Centre Projects (R-CRC) Program
• A further $30.3 million to the Regional Connectivity Program to expand the number of eligible projects that can be funded under this program, and enable a broader range of regional communities and businesses to leverage the benefits of improved digital connectivity, including in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, health and education
• An additional $22.7 million for a sixth round of the Stronger Communities Program, which provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 across the country for a range of locally-driven projects that aim to strengthen our regions, their economies and the vibrant communities which characterise them
• The Building Resilient Regional Leaders initiative will invest $5 million over three years from 2020-21 to deliver place based leadership training
• $4.6 million towards the Regional Australia Institute’s National Awareness Campaign, promoting the benefits and opportunities of living in regional Australia.

The official and authoritative Budget papers are available at budget.gov.au and the Regional Ministerial Budget Statement here.

Logan and Redlands residents and businesses can continue to get the latest information on COVID-19 at these links:

The Prime Minister's Media Statements 

Federal Government's information entry point for details of COVID-19 and support for business

australia.gov.au

treasury.gov.au

business.qld.gov.au

Smart Traveller information & advice

Logan City Council COVID-19 Resources

Redland City Council COVID-19 Resources

Each of these sites provide links that navigate to other relevant sites.

The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to the COVID-19. This helps health officials support and protect Australian communities. The app is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

The Logan and Redlands Region is strategically positioned within the growth corridor for South East Queensland and is ripe for development. It has substantial economic capacity in the areas of Health Care and Social Assistance; Advanced Manufacturing; Infrastructure; Transport, Logistics and Warehousing; Education and Training; Professional Services; Tourism; and Research. The opportunity exists to translate this capacity into sustainable economic growth.

RDA Logan & Redlands held a half-day, facilitated, off-site strategic meeting on 23 November 2018 at which the Logan City Council and the Redland City Council presented on their respective economic development strategies, priorities and challenges, followed by a discussion between the RDA Committee and the Council representatives on working together. As an outcome it was noted a legitimate role for RDA was to be the organisation in the middle, blending both into the larger common area.

Over the intervening period the RDA has pursued this commitment through an extensive 18 month series of consultations with local business organisations, businesses, community organisations and across all levels of government. From these consultations the RDA has developed the document Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland.

The document was developed through extensive consultation including with the three levels of Government, industry organisations, businesses and community organisations. Socialising of concepts during the development phase of the document was met with a mixed response ranging from enthusiasm and optimistic support through to rejection. This gives some comfort that the issues identified have been considered and provoked critical thinking.

The nature of the consultations was largely informal reflecting the establishment of an environment in which commentary could be made with a commitment to anonymity.

The document aims to promote discussion and provoke commentary about the economic and social future of the Logan and Redlands Region and the wider South East Queensland. It is hoped its release will generate public interest and debate

Please read the document and consider its content. If you have any comments, please feel free to provide them via admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au

The Logan and Redlands Region is served by the following Chambers of Commerce:

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

Throughout the pandemic these organisations have provided information and advice on the impacts of the pandemic on the Logan and Redlands Region. They have been critical sources of intelligence and have represented their constituents’ needs through participation on key regional groups in partnership with governments at all levels.

The Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce, through its Redlands Regional Jobs Committee, has partnered with local and state government and industry to deliver the Championing Redlands Coast initiative. Championing Redlands Coast is an industry driven initiative to capture and champion the future of Redlands Coast

The Regional Jobs Committee identified the need for the Championing Redlands Coast initiative during industry engagement, when it became aware of a number of exciting new businesses, initiatives and projects exist which have the potential to attract investment, new residents, employment opportunities and improve lifestyles within the region.

Specifically, the initiative seeks to provide a strong cohesive narrative of the Redlands Coast’s future that can be adopted by the Mayor, Council, the Chamber, the region’s political and industry leaders, local media and the general community.

On 6 October 2020 the Championing Redlands Coast initiative was officially launched. For more information, click here.

Arrangements for the next meeting are well advanced with 20 November 2020 being set as the date. The time and location details will be available closer to the event.

In the meantime, information relating to key dates, publications and the project timeline is available at inlandrail.artc.com.au/K2ARB. The Agendas, Minutes and Chair’s summaries from each of the previous meetings of the Committee are available here.

Despite the impacts of COVID-19 the Committee is continuing to actively engage with its community and stakeholders, via the ARTC website, social media, email and telephone. The project team can be contacted on 1800 732 761 and via email at inlandrailqld@artc.com.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
• Wide Bay Burnett.

These RDAs communicate regularly to discuss issues across the South East Queensland Region with a focus on the COVID-19 impacts. On 22 to 23 October 2020 the RDAs will meet in the Logan and Redlands Region to focus on the broader South East Queensland Region which will include presentations from and discussions with representatives from the South East Queensland Council of Mayors and the Walker Group.

The Think Local, Buy Logan campaign was launched in July 2020. Details of this initiative and information about opportunities in Logan are available here. 

The Reconnecting to the Redlands Coast initiative has been launched. Details of this initiative and information about opportunities in the Redlands are available at redlandscoast.com.au.

Valuable and current information is also available from the Logan City and Redland City Council websites.

The Redland City Council, Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce, RDA Logan & Redlands and local business industry groups are working together to host the Recovery Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo. Currently, details are:

19 November 2020
10am to 4pm
Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre
Cnr Finucane and McDonald Roads, Alexandra Hills

Entry is by a gold coin donation with information and registration available here.

The Expo will help businesses recover as well as provide pathways for people who need to redirect into new training and employment opportunities.

In July 2020, RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Participated in the RDA teleconference meetings with the Commonwealth on feedback about the impacts of COVID-19 on 1, 8, 15 and 22 July 2020

• Participated as a member at Logan City Council Economic Recovery Sub Group meetings on 3, 10, 17 and 31 July 2020

• Participated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meetings on 9, 16, 23 and 30 July June 2020

• Teleconferenced with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC)

• Participated in Rebuilding Stronger Regions post COVID 19 through Education and

• Commerce via RED Toolbox, ED Toolbox and ED Unreal World webinar

• Met with SMBI (Southern Moreton Bay Island) Little Bus company

• Participated in Inland Rail and Opportunities in Regional Infrastructure webinar

• Met with Inland Rail

• Met with Minjerribah Futures

• Met with Business Models Incorporated

• Participated in a 2-day RDA event in Toowoomba including site visits (including Wellcamp Airport and Logistics Centre and meeting of SEQ RDA Alliance)

• Attended Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce breakfast

• Met Karen Williams, Mayor, Redland City Council

• Met Darren Power, Mayor, Logan City Council

• Participated as a member of the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Jobs Committee

• Participated in Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA): Opportunities for Australian Exporters webinar

• Met with Cat Cottage Capalaba

• Engaged in discussions on Innovation Research

• Teleconferenced with Minjerribah Transport working group

• Met Adrian Schrinner, Lord Mayor, Brisbane City Council.

In August 2020, RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Participated in the RDA teleconference meetings with the Commonwealth on feedback about the impacts of COVID-19 on 5, 19 and 26 August 2020

• Participated as a member at Logan City Council Economic Recovery Sub Group meetings on 13 and 28 August 2020

• Participated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meetings on 6, 13, 20 and 27 August 2020

• Participated on videoconference on Innovation in the Redlands and more broadly (ARIP review)

• Participated in town hall teleconference session with the Minister for Regional Telecommunications and Local Government, the Hon Mark Coulton MP

• Presented Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce award judging webinar

• Met with RPS | Australia Asia Pacific to provide input into the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce project pipeline survey

• Met with Australia Indonesia Business Council (QLD)

• Participated in planning for Webinar on Innovation in Health and Social Care

• Participated in Industry engagement sessions - Redlands Coast Tourism Destination Management Plan 2021-2026

• Participated in Health Commons Program

• Participated in The UK FTA: Opportunities for Australia webinar

• Participated on Age-Friendly Project Interest Group

• Participated in town hall teleconference session on Decentralisation with the Hon Andrew Gee MP, Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education.

In September 2020, RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Participated in the RDA teleconference meetings with the Commonwealth on feedback about the impacts of COVID-19 on 9 and 23 September 2020

• Participated as a member at Logan City Council Economic Recovery Sub Group meetings on 11 and 25 September 2020

• Participated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meetings on 10, 17 and 24 September 2020

• Participated on Redland City Councils Financial and Economic Recovery Taskforce

• Facilitated NDIS project update and brainstorming session with key stakeholders

• Facilitated meeting with key stakeholders on regional migration

• Attended Yarrabilba State School bus presentation by Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Participated in Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation’s How to Thrive in Uncertain Times webinar

• Participated in national RDA webinar on RDAs with More Jobs than People

• Commenced discussion with Logan City Council on the Australian Government’s National Aviation Policy Issues Paper released for industry and broader stakeholder consultation
  Participate in FTA Digital Seminar: Using FTAs to unlock multi-market opportunities in ASEAN

• Participated in Regional Australia Institute’s Regionalisation of our nation webinar
  Met with NDIS. 

The RDA accesses intelligence through its membership of the Minjerribah Futures Reference Group (Queensland Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development) and the Redlands Regional Jobs Committee (Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce).

In addition, communications are maintained with:

• The Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• The Queensland Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development
• The Queensland Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
• The Regional Business Chambers (Beenleigh Yatala Chamber; Logan Chamber; Logan Regional Chamber; Redlands Coast Chamber; Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber; and Straddie Chamber)
• The Logan and the Redland City Councils
• The Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
• The Australian Taxation Office
• Safe Work Australia.

When searching for funding, keep in mind that you’ll 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 our funding portal here. 

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 at admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au