Happy New Year and welcome to 2021.

The Australian Government has recognised the importance of the ongoing work of the Regional Development Australia Network in driving economic development and growth across regional Australia. In late October 2020 the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Hon Nola Marino MP, announced the Australian Government’s recommitment to the Network, including RDA Logan and Redlands under a new 4.5 year funding agreement and refreshed Charter.

In December 2020 I was delighted to be advised by Assistant Minister Marino of my reappointment to 30 June 2025 to the position of Chair of RDA Logan & Redlands.

RDA Logan & Redlands will continue its efforts to ensure the voice of the Region is heard. We have 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 in October 2020 we 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 region. It is hoped its release will generate public interest and debate.

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 admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au

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

The refreshed RDA Charter provides an emphasis on greater alignment across all levels of government and regional planning that identifies and advocates strategic long-term investment priorities. The Charter is as follows:

Strong, Confident and Vibrant Regions
Regional Development Australia Charter

Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a national network of Committees made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business and community groups to support the economic development of their regions.

Collaborating with other RDA Committees, all levels of government, and the private sector, RDA Committees 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.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development
October 2020

The Australian Government Budget: 2020-2021 provides support for regional Australia as it continues to drive our nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Included in the Budget is 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.

Round 5 opened on 12 January 2021 and closes on 5 March 2021, with the funding guidelines having been released in December 2020.

Infrastructure Project Stream

Projects can be either construction of new infrastructure or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure.

Grants of $20,000 to $10 million to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.

FIND OUT MORE >>

Community Investment Stream

• This stream will fund new or expanded local community events, strategic regional plans, or leadership and capability strengthening activities
• Grants of $5000 to $1 million to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.

FIND OUT MORE >>

You can use this mapping tool to see if you are in an eligible area.

RDA Logan & Redlands will be holding information sessions in early 2021 - watch for details in upcoming bulletins.

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 

treasury.gov.au

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

Smart Traveller information & advice

business.qld.gov.au

Logan City Council COVID-19 Resources

Redland City Council COVID-19 Resources

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

Stay informed. Download the official government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

Building on the new 4.5 year funding agreement and refreshed Charter, RDA Logan & Redlands will hold its strategic meeting on 27 January 2021. The meeting will develop a clear direction of achievements to be pursued over the next 12 months and into each of the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 calendar years consistent with the strategic document Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland released in October 2020.

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.

Chambers are kick starting 2021 including:

• Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce, Logan Chamber of Commerce and Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce are jointly holding a networking lunch with special guest Robyn Moore and a presentation from the Aspire Team on Friday, 29 January 2021 at 11:30am at Club Beenleigh, 28a Alamein Street, Beenleigh.
• Logan Chamber of Commerce is holding a Business and Networking Breakfast on Wednesday, 3 February 2021 at 7.15am at Fitzy's Loganholme, Pacific Highway, Loganholme.

The Redlands Regional Jobs Committee (RJC) is led by the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce and is supported and funded by the Queensland Government. It was a busy and fruitful year for the RJC which delivered many significant Redlands initiatives. Here are a few highlights worth mentioning:

1. Created the initiative Championing Redlands Coast (CRC) to help shape a bright future for the Redlands Coast.
2. Undertook comprehensive economic research to understand the current Redlands economy and where the future economic opportunities are, projects and jobs pipeline. View the Redlands Economic Research Summary
3. Launched Redlands Coast Jobs (RC Jobs) post Redlands based available roles for FREE; allowing employers to find, attract and support local skilled employees.
4. Hosted several successful RJC & CRC events bringing key industry and government representatives together to help shape a collaborative bright future for the Redlands.
5. Launched a Youth Career Aspirations Survey capturing an understanding of what career path Redlands Youth are interested in pursuing.

If you are interested in becoming a Redlands Coast Champion, email kate.adams@championingredlandscoast.com.au and ask for a copy of the CRC Champions Guide.

If you have a major project or new jobs creation initiative on the cards over the coming decade, please add it to the project pipeline for inclusion in the CRC initiatives in 2021 by completing the Project Pipeline Survey.

The RJC and CRC are hosting the inaugural Futures Forum on Wednesday 17 February 2021. If you are a major employer in the Redlands, have upcoming projects or business expansion on the cards that will create new jobs in the Redlands, you represent a Redlands based Social Enterprise, or you work for a RTO that is delivering training in the Redlands; then please contact Kate Adams kate.adams@championingredlandscoast.com.au to find out more about the Futures Forum event.

The next meeting of the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Community Consultative Committee is expected to be held in February 2021. Detail of the date, time and venue 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 and how best to work together in the interests of the broader South East Queensland region. On 4 to 5 February 2021 the RDAs will meet in the Ipswich and West Moreton Region to focus on the refreshed RDA Charter.

In October 2020, RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Undertook an extensive field trip around the Logan and Redlands region
• Attended the Official launch of Championing Redlands Coast
• Participated in the Innovation in Aged and Social Care webinarParticipated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meeting on 8 October 2020
• Participated in RDA Southern Inland and the Regional Australia Institute for the “Building Deeper Connections with Regional Australia institute” webinar
• Participated in RDA Teleconference - 2020-21 Budget Initiatives chaired by Minister Marino
• Participated as a judge for the Redlands Business and Retail Awards
• Met with Australia Indonesia Business Council (QLD)
• Met with The Ageing Revolution
• Convened workshop for South East Queensland RDAs with presenters including Walker Group and South East Queensland Council of Mayors
• Auspiced meeting with RDA Darling Downs and South West on secondary migration activity
• Contributed to Logan Economic Development Strategy - Jimboomba/ Flagstone focus group meeting
• Participated in Announcement of RDA Future Arrangements webinar chaired by Minister Marino
• Attended 2020 Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report launch
• Participated in Redland City Council - Corporate Plan Engagement Session
• Met with Redland Disability Network.

In November 2020, RDA Logan & Redlands: 

• Participated in national webinar on RDA Future Arrangements
• Participated in Redland City Council Financial and Economic Recovery Taskforce meeting
• Attended Inaugural Championing Redlands Coast Business Leaders Boardroom Forum
• Participated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meetings on 12 and 26 November 2020
• Participated in RDA Town Hall - Decentralisation teleconference with Hon Andrew Gee MP, Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education
• Participated in Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) Round 5 Update webinar
• Participated in Community Services Gateway to Industry Schools Project: Employers webinar
• Attended Logan Business Expo
• Attended Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce – Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Research Site Tour
• Participated in Redlands Small Business Expo
• Participated in Industry 4.0 Business & Investment Project Overview
• Participated in Redland Business and Retail Awards Annual Presentation
• Participated in Building a Resilient Food Ecosystem for the Logan Growth Corridor: Online Workshop
• Participated in the RDA teleconference meetings with the Commonwealth on feedback about the impacts of COVID-19 on 25 November 2020
• Met with Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland
• Met with Queensland Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation
• Met with a Redland City Council representative, a key employer and a representative organisation from Southern Moreton Bay Islands in relation to Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) Round 5 opportunities.

In December 2020, RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Met with Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Participated as a presenter at South East Region Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Reference Group meeting
• Participated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meetings on 10 and 17 December 2020
• Participated in Southern Moreton Bay Islands Hub meeting
• Attended Queensland Government budget information session presented by the Hon Cameron Dick - Queensland Treasurer, Minister for Investment, and State Member for Woodridge
• Participated in secondary migration activity planning session with RDA Darling Downs and South West.

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