Reports to the Region

Message from the Chair

GaryHardgrave

The impacts of fires, floods and drought will remain cyclical features of Australia’s climate. The flow on affects of instability in geo political conditions, the recent pandemic, changing work practices and heightened internal migration are yet to play out.

This changing world has and continues to have a major impact on the Logan and Redlands Region and demands attention to this often overlooked Region.

This changing world demands a stronger vision, better planning capacity and earlier identification of responses especially focussing on fleetness of foot in skilling the workforce and securing supply chains.

In October 2020 the RDA released Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland which captured the then key issues and areas of focus for the Region. A key activity for the RDA throughout 2022 has been to review this document to reflect current and emerging opportunities with the intention of challenging the thinking around planning for the Region.

Over the past 12 months the RDA Logan and Redlands Board has held meetings with the three levels of government and across the region with key local businesses, community representatives and individuals. The Board’s purpose in meeting around the Region has been to directly hear about the challenges and opportunities facing the Logan and Redlands Region as it repairs from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic and begins to explore the opportunities arising from the SEQ City Deal and as preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are pursued. The Board has come away from its meetings with a substantially deeper understanding of the issues confronting the local economy and the residents of the Region.

The Board recognises the value of conducting consultations driven by a focus on gathering insights that drove the RDA Logan and Redlands’ To 2042 and Beyond : Investing in SEQ Summit held in September 2022 and to be captured in the revised Strategic Regional Plan.

The Summit brought together key decision makers, funders and stakeholders. Reflecting the extensive consultations and the RDA’s commitment to the long term, the To 2042 and Beyond : Investing in SEQ 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 that while the key events such as the SEQ 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide great incentive for regional investment, it is necessary to ensure the legacies that benefit the regional economy and its community extend well beyond 2032.

On 25 October 2022 (one month after he delivered the keynote address at the RDA Logan and Redlands’ To 2042 and Beyond : Investing in SEQ Summit) the Australian Treasurer, The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP delivered the Federal Budget with its focus on A stronger, more resilient economy - Investing in the capabilities of our people and the capacity of our economy. This is addressed in detail in the REGIONAL AUSTRALIA POLICY section of this report.

The RDA Logan and Redlands Board sees a clear mandate to take forward a commitment to progress the concepts and ideas that were raised at the Summit and to ensure that this process continues to gain traction and momentum amongst regional stakeholders. This intention is reflected in the RDA Logan and Redlands 2022 to 2023 Annual Business Plan.

Drawing together the work of the RDA, the Strategic Regional Plan will be released in the coming months and will be substantially enriched as a result of the RDA’s 29 September 2022 Summit, reflecting the need for cohesive, co-ordinated and long-term strategic regional planning and the 25 October 2022 Federal Budget.

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 at here.

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

Regional Australia Policy

Charter On 25 October 2022 (one month after he delivered the keynote address at the RDA Logan and Redlands’ To 2042 and Beyond : Investing in SEQ Summit) the Australian Treasurer, The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP delivered the Federal Budget with its focus on A stronger, more resilient economy - Investing in the capabilities of our people and the capacity of our economy.

The following provides extracts from Budget October 2022-2023. It is recommended this be read in full.

BETTER ACCESS TO TRAINING AND SKILLS

The Government is delivering 480,000 fee-free TAFE and community-based vocational education places over 4 years. This agreement will prioritise training for students that traditionally face barriers to work and study, including women facing economic equality issues, and target industries with severe skill shortages.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

Under-represented groups will be supported to attend university and study in areas of in-demand skills through a one-off boost of 20,000 additional university places. These places will be targeted to students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regional and remote areas, students who are first-in-family to attend university, First Nations students and students with disability.

SKILLED MIGRATION

The permanent Migration Program will be expanded to 195,000 in 2022–23. This is an increase of 35,000. More than 90 per cent of new places will be for skilled migrants, and more than a quarter targeted to regional areas.

POWERING AUSTRALIA

The Government will establish the $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund to help transform regional industries and help regional Australians access the economic opportunities of decarbonisation.

BUILDING DISASTER RESILIENCE AND PREPAREDNESS

To better prepare for future disasters, the Government will invest up to $200 million per year on prevention and resilience initiatives through the Disaster Ready Fund. The Fund will support projects such as flood levees, sea walls, cyclone shelters, evacuation centres and fire breaks. The Government is also spending $22.6 million over 4 years to help reduce the cost of insurance in disaster prone communities. This funding will be used to establish partnerships between government and the insurance sector.

A FUTURE MADE IN AUSTRALIA

The Government will establish the National Reconstruction Fund to provide $15 billion of capital to transform and strengthen priority industries. This investment will support employment growth, drive regional development and help build a future made in Australia. The Fund will drive regional development by identifying and investing in manufacturing technologies to help the transition to net zero emissions.

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE

The Government has committed to a more than $120 billion pipeline of investment in transport infrastructure over the next 10 years. This includes $250 million to expand the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

THE NBN AND MOBILE CONNECTIVITY

A $2.4 billion investment in NBN Co will extend fibre access to 1.5 million more premises, including over 660,000 homes in regional Australia. A year of free broadband for up to 30,000 unconnected families will help students access learning materials from home. A further $1.2 billion in the Better Connectivity for Regional and Rural Australia Plan will enhance connectivity.

A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR REGIONS

The Government will invest $7.4 billion to support regional development across Australia.

The Budget includes $1 billion for 2 new flagship programs that will drive regional development:

Community groups and local councils in regional and rural areas will be invited to seek support from the new Growing Regions Program, which will fund local infrastructure projects such as libraries and regional airport upgrades.
Through its new regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, the Government will work with states and local councils to invest in place-based projects that transform regional centres.

Through its Priority Community Infrastructure Program and its Investing in Our Communities Program, the Government will provide $1.4 billion for local community, sport and infrastructure projects across Australia.

Inland Rail - Kagaru to Acacia Ridge & Bromelton (K2ARB)

Building Partnerships

Partnerships 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:

The work and objectives of RDA Logan & Redlands directly reflects this Charter.

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

participated in Suburban Futures’ Future of Suburbia III international conference :Retrofitting suburbia forum
met with FosterVox in relation to it developing productions set within the Redlands and SEQ
supported the Export Council of Australia and Redland City Council partnership delivering a 2-day Export Ready Training Workshop to local businesses seeking to go global
supported Australian Tax Office webinars for RDAs on eInvoicing
participated in Committee for Brisbane’s SEQ 2050 - A Vision for Transport & Mobility
attended Budget briefing from Member for Rankin
engaged with Koala Farmland Fund
submitted to Department of Industry report on industry and regional structural adjustment issues
met with QLD/NT Business, Industry and Regional Outreach Officer Department of Home Affairs in relation to farm workers
met with the President, Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce
submitted to Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning research survey
participated in Straddie Chamber of Commerce Toondah Harbour EIS meeting
participated in SEQ Alliance Meeting
participated in RDA Budget Session with Minister McBain
met with Go1,Logan Office of Economic Development and Trade and Investment Queensland around opportunities for Logan
met with and provided sponsorship for RedCity Roar Basketball school holiday basketball camps
submitted to the Inland Rail Community Perceptions survey - November / December 2022
provided supporting statement for Toondah Harbour
participated in Redlands Coast Industry Forum
participated in Suburban Futures meeting with the Redlands Mayor to explore opportunities for the development of Cleveland, and the Redlands more generally
provided comment on the Australian Government Regional Development Australia (RDA) website
participated in Department of Industry National Reconstruction Fund webinar.

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.

Joint South East Queensland Regional Development Activity

Funding Opportunities

Invitation to Action

Report to the Region

October - December 2022