On behalf of the RDA Logan & Redlands Committee and Staff may I wish you all the best for 2020.

I am also taking the opportunity to pass on my and the RDA Logan & Redlands Committee and Staff deepest sympathy to community members impacted by the fires over the past few months. If there is any information the community wishes to draw to the attention of the RDA in relation to the fires and their impact, please send it to admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au

I am pleased at the response to the circulation of the RDA Logan & Redlands 2019 to 2020 Business Plan Summary in September 2019. The Summary Plan is available for download here.

The emerging South East Queensland City Deal, progressing the Inland Rail build, the now confirmed 2032 Olympics bid, the 2031 Visitor Economy Strategy and the growing Health Care and Social Assistance Industry (including the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme) provide opportunities to better leverage the Region’s aspiration to be the centre of economic growth and employment opportunities in Australia. The 2019 to 2020 Summary Plan provides a narrative which leverages these opportunities in the interests of the Region.

As part of my aim of getting around the Region, during December 2019 I met with SMBI Little Bus; Benevolent Society; Centre for Women; Bay Island Early Learning & Care; Brisbane South PHN; Macleay Island Progress Association; Running Wild; My Health Aisle; Canaipa Developments P/L; Bay Islands Multi Sport and Recreation Association; and Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce while visiting the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. I intend following up some of these visits with further meetings in January 2020.

I would like to acknowledge the departure of John O’Brien AM from the Committee. I extend my appreciation to John on behalf of the Committee for his contribution and wish him the best for his future endeavours.

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.

For further information on the RDA, go to rdaloganandredlands.org.au

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

The Regional Development Australia (RDA) National Forum was held in Canberra from 26 to 28 November 2019.

The Forum’s theme was Influence and Impact. The key sessions covered Implementing Government Priorities in Regional Australia; Influencing Decision-makers; Sharing the Knowledge; Regional Workforce Strategies; Place-based Approaches and Regional Planning.

Kim Kerwin, the RDA Logan & Redlands Deputy Chair, met with Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Hon Nola Marino MP (pictured) and presented on Regional Diversity at Work at the Forum.
Regional Development Australia has developed a webpage from the Forum which can be accessed at www.rda.gov.au/national-forum/2019.

The opportunity of being in Canberra was taken to arrange meetings where possible with representatives from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development; Tourism Australia; the National Disability Insurance Scheme; and the Department of Communications and the Arts on the following key issues:

• SEQ City Deal
• Infrastructure Australia Infrastructure Priority List
• Smart Cities and Suburbs Program
• Building Better Regions Fund (Regional remoteness definition)
• The Regional Growth Fund
• Mobile Black Spot Program
• Inland Rail
• 2032 Olympics bid opportunities
• Visitor Economy Strategy 2031 opportunities
• The Health Care and Social Assistance Industry (including the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme).

The Australian and Queensland Governments and the South East Queensland Council of Mayors have entered a shared agreement through a Statement of Intent in relation to a SEQ City Deal. The Statement outlines a shared vision from all three levels of government for the SEQ City Deal centred on the six priority areas of Connecting Infrastructure; Jobs and Skills; Liveability and Sustainability; Housing and Planning; Digital; and Governance and Leadership. A copy of the Statement of Intent is available at citydeals.infrastructure.gov.au/south-east-queensland.

Public consultations took place throughout 2019 with the Deal expected to be negotiated over the next 12 months. Consultation will continue to be a key part of the process to ensure the SEQ City Deal gets the right outcomes for the Region’s communities and businesses. It is expected the RDA will continue to participate in consultations building on its contributions to date.

The next meeting of the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Community Consultative Committee will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on 3 February 2019 at the Bolton Clarke Carrington, 16 Blairmount Street, Parkinson. Observers are welcome but please note that seating is limited. To ensure entry, please arrive prior to the start time. Access is not permitted once the meeting begins.

The Chair’s summary from each of the previous meetings of the Committee are available at inlandrail.artc.com.au/k2arb-ccc

Further information relating to key dates, publications (including the November 2019 project update) and the project timeline is available at inlandrail.artc.com.au/K2ARB

During September to November 2019, the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee Inquiry into the management of the Inland Rail project by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Commonwealth Government called for submissions. All submissions are available here. 

According to the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, most new jobs will be created in four specific industries including Health Care and Social Assistance which is projected to have the strongest employment growth of any industry over the five years to May 2023 (joboutlook.gov.au/future-outlook.aspx).

Over 90% of new jobs over the next five years will need education beyond school and some jobs will need more training than they used to. Many professional and service roles demand university or VET (Vocational Education and Training) qualifications. That said, many of the jobs expected to grow strongly need little or no formal training.

While current levels of regional disaggregation do not adequately identify the Logan and Redlands Region, they give an indicative view of the importance of this industry to the Region:

(Source: lmip.gov.au/Default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections)

RDA Logan and Redlands is continuing its commitment to implementing the environment and support for the NDIS. This is being pursued with the support of a number of local organisations and individuals.

If you want to participate, please register your interest at admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au. This address can also be used should any community member wish to raise issues in relation to the implementation of the NDIS in the Logan and Redlands Region.

The 2032 South East Queensland (SEQ) Olympic Games proposal is now being progressed through a partnership between the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and the Australian Olympic Committee. The proposal features facilities across South East Queensland.

Redland City Council has expressed the view this initiative is of particular benefit to smaller councils which could leverage off the proposal for key infrastructure projects.

This infrastructure relates to accessible and readily available public transport, improved and better connected roads including more adaptive planning such as tunnels, connectivity, venues, accommodation and media facilities.

For the Logan and Redlands Region, the following diagram of possible Olympic venue locations reinforces that a better balance in planning is needed to ensure a balanced focus on east/west infrastructure corridors (Redlands, Logan, Ipswich and Toowoomba).

(Figure 2 Source: Council of Mayors South East Queensland; 2032 SEQ Olympic and Paralympic Games feasibility Study; February 2019)

The 2031 Visitor Economy Strategy is available at here.

For the purposes of the 2031 Visitor Economy Strategy, the Brisbane region is deemed as extending east to the blue water of Moreton Bay, south to the Logan and Albert Rivers and north to Pumicestone Passage and west to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and the Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage Area, and a network of connected communities across eight local government areas.

The agency responsible for the development of the Strategy is Brisbane Marketing which includes within its responsibilities “Serving as the regional tourism organisation for Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Redlands and Somerset.” As such, care should be taken for readers of the Strategy from outside the City of Brisbane.

The 2031 Visitor Economy Strategy projects a potential increase in the tourism related spend of $12B in South East Queensland under the scenario contained in the following diagram:

 For the 2031 Visitor Economy Strategy, the key tipping points (which are similar to those for the 2032 Olympics) are:

1. An accessible and connected region.
2. A smart and prosperous region.

In addition, a recent Tourism Research Australia report notes Queensland tourism operators could boost income by almost $500m per year by improving services for holiday makers with disabilities including those travelling with carers.

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 have determined they will regularly come together as a group to identify and collegiately work together on issues that have impact across the South East Queensland Region.

Examples of possible priority areas (not all of which are of significance to all RDAs) could include:

• South East Queensland City Deal
• The bid from Queensland for the 2032 Olympic Games
• The development of the 2031 Visitor Economy Strategy
• The Health Care and Social Assistance Industry
• Transport infrastructure – road, rail, fast rail, Inland Rail, airports, freight etc
• Digital connectivity across South East Queensland
• Regional representation to and from the South East Queensland State Government
• Build to rent in South East Queensland – delivering on the housing crisis
• South East Queensland RDA industry sector collaboration (e.g., additive manufacturing showcases across the region).

The RDA Quarterly Report will be used to provide feedback on developments in this area. Comments are welcome and can be provided to admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au

Based in Berrinba, All Purpose Transport is a leading delivery solutions specialist in Queensland, committed to innovation and continuous improvement, with investment in technology, new services and training.

In December 2019 it proudly announced its latest innovation with the launch of Queensland’s 1st 100% emission free electric truck (pictured).

All Purpose Transport General Manager Paul Kahlert said “we led the way with workforce and now we are leading the way with last mile emission free deliveries. Our goal is to drive social change and focus on helping the environment. We want to be leading the way in Queensland."

IKEA Australia's Renea Robson said the launch of the truck was a significant milestone for the company as part of their electrical vehicle strategy, which is aiming to have zero emissions for home deliveries by 2025. "It's a big commitment to move forward but we can't do this if we're not working with likeminded companies like All Purpose Transport who want to preserve the planet for future generations," she said.

All Purpose Transport has been partnering with IKEA for 10 years and Paul said the new electric vehicle would perform up to 15 deliveries a day whilst significantly reducing noise and carbon emissions to residential areas in Brisbane.

For more information about All Purpose Transport’s 1st 100% electric truck please contact Belinda Polglase, All Purpose Transport at bpolglase@allpurpose.com.au

The 2019 Redland Business and Retail Awards event was held on 23 November 2019 at the Sheldon Event Centre. The key objectives of the Awards are to:

• Retain spending within Redland City
• Strengthen local businesses by promoting local shopping
• Create and maintain jobs within Redland City
• Promote customer service excellence
• Encourage local businesses to focus on and improve their businesses
• Promote consumer confidence in local business
• Engender pride within our community
• Promote Redland businesses to the local community.

The Redland Business and Retail Awards encourage the highest standards to be maintained, ensuring that business will remain strong and vital in the Redlands.

Winners for each category are as follows:

• Greenplate, Capalaba - Redlands Business of the Year, Sponsored by Redland City Council
• Injex Clinics, Capalaba - Redlands Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by Redland City Bulletin
• Scott Bennett, Bayside Bait & Tackle, Victoria Point - Customer Service Excellence, Sponsored by Redlands Coast Chamber
• Switchnode, Victoria Point - Start Up Business, Sponsored by RDA Logan & Redlands
• Fresh Cuts Butchery, Victoria Point Lakeside - Fresh or Specialty Food, Sponsored by Jaipur Palace
• Debbie Family Dental, Capalaba - Medical or Dental, Sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care
• Jewell Moore Chartered Accountant, Cleveland - Professional Services, Sponsored by Sustainable Marketing Services
• Elysium, Victoria Point Lakeside - Restaurant, Sponsored by Personalised Freight Solutions
• Carys Martin Ceramics, Thornlands - Micro Business (0-5 employees), Sponsored by Redlands Sporting Club
• Floss Family Dental, Wellington Point - Small Business (6-19 employees), Sponsored by Precision Loans
• Home Instead Senior Care, Birkdale - Medium or Large Business (20+ employees), Sponsored by McCarthy Durie Lawyers
• Greenplate, Capalaba - Innovative Business, Sponsored by Victoria Point Lakeside
• Soma Karan, Limited Edition Dance, Cleveland - Young Entrepreneur, Sponsored by Australian Industry Trade College
• The Gallery of Honour Business of the Year - Sustainable Marketing Services, Cleveland (2013)
• CUA, Capalaba Central Shopping Centre - Bank or Mortgage Broker
• Capalaba Sports Club, Capalaba - Bar or Club
• Injex Clinics, Capalaba - Beauty Services
• Chillers Café, Point Lookout - Café or Casual Dining
• Tania's Arthouse, Cleveland - Entertainment, Music and Art
• Williams Shoes, Capalaba Park Shopping Centre - Fashion and Fashion Accessories
• Fit n Fab Fitness, Mount Cotton – Fitness
• Perch & Pantry, Cleveland - Gifts and Home Decorator
• The Colour Shak, Victoria Point - Hairdresser or Barber
• The Window Boyz, Thornlands - Home Services
• Chemist Warehouse, Victoria Point Lakeside – Pharmacy
• Aldi, Victoria Point Lakeside – Supermarket
• Healthy Passion, Cleveland Central Shopping Centre - Takeaway or Food Kiosk

Details of all finalists are available here. For more information, please contact Naomi Cauley on 0478 202 306.

The Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Small Business Expos and Sponsors Redland City Council and Bartercard for the first Redlands Coast Business Expo being held on Thursday 16 April 2020 at the Sheldon Event Centre, Taylor Road, Sheldon.

This Expo is supported by local business industry groups including BforB Networking Group, BNI, Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Logan City Women in Business, Sheldon College, Womens Network Australia, RDA Logan & Redlands, ASBAS and Hot and Healthy in Business Group with more to come on board.

Applications for exhibitors for the 2020 Redlands Coast Business Expo are now open. Please email paulabrand@smallbusinessexpos.com.au to get an exhibitors pack for this expo or jump on www.smallbusinessexpos.com.au

Minjerribah Futures is a $24.75 million investment by the Queensland Government to assist the economic transition of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) from its traditional reliance on sand mining to a sustainable future as a globally recognised eco and cultural tourism destination, supported by expanded research and education activities. Details are available here.

Information on current activities and progress under Minjerribah Futures is available here.

The Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund provides grants for projects which create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.

Round 4 was announced on 14 November 2019 and was aimed at supporting projects in drought-affected regions which by the closing date of 19 December 2019 included the Logan & Redlands Region.

We wish success for those applicants for funding from the Region.

In October 2019, the RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Participated in the Redland Disability Network
• Met Stephen Alexander in relation to Health Commons
• Engaged with drone delivery service wing
• Met with HELP Enterprises
• Attended Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, Queensland Government and the Industry Capability Network forum on upcoming Minjerribah construction projects
• Met with Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• Met with Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program (Commonwealth Department of Social Services)
• Participated in Inland Rail Information Webinar
• Met with Chairs and Directors of Regional Development Australia Committees covering South East Queensland
• Attended the Redland City Chamber of Commerce Bendigo Bank Business Breakfast
• Participated in Health Commons Program
• Attended Queensland China Dialogue
• Attended Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. meeting
• Attended combined Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast
• Participated on Minjerribah Futures Reference Group
• Participated in NDIS Indigenous Business Forum
• Met with local member of Queensland Parliament on NDIS support and training on Southern Moreton Bay Islands
• Participated in Redlands Coast Smart and Connected City Strategy Business and Industry Workshop
• Met with stakeholders on Drone technology in the Health Sector/Vehicle Asset Usage study.

In November 2019, the RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Participated in the Smart Community Transport Lunch: The next steps
• Met with Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• Participated in Health Commons Program
• Met with Global AFR
• Attended Mabel Park State High School Year 10 Beacon Charter Signing
• Met with Walker Corporation regarding Toondah Harbour
• Attended National Broadband Network (NBN) Business Forum
• Met with Miguel Diaz
• Met with Urbis regarding Logan and Redlands electronic mapping work
• Participated in Innovatively Ageing Well Interest Group
• Met with Victor Nicholls (data and mapping)
• Participated in Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) Round Four - Drought Support Webinar
• Attended National Training Awards
• Attended Redland City Chamber Business Awards
• Attended Global Perspectives on the need for Standardisation Workshop
• Met with Queensland Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
• Participated in RDA Cities Alliance - NSW and beyond as part of the RDA National Forum;
  participated in the RDA National Forum
• Met with representatives from the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (on areas of Regional Development, City Deals, Transport, Inland Rail and Infrastructure Australia); Tourism Australia; National Disability Insurance Scheme; and Department of Communications and the Arts as part of the RDA National Forum;
• Attended the SEQ City Deal (Trade & Enterprise Spine) Industry Workshop
• Contributed to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee Inquiry into the management of the Inland Rail project by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Commonwealth Government
• Attended the Defence & Electronics Multipliers Meeting.

In December 2019, the RDA Logan & Redlands:

• Supported the conduct of the Commonwealth survey of RDA Stakeholders
• Participated in Health Commons Program
• Attended TAFE infrastructure plan for the Redlands region presentation
• Attended Accessing the NDIS workshop
• Attended Launch of Queensland’s 1st 100% Electric Home Delivery Vehicle (All Purpose Transport)
• Participated in NDIS Provider Information Session - Understanding NDIS Employment Supports
• Auspiced and chaired meeting between RDA Logan & Redlands, Redland City Council and Joy 2 Care on Russell Island
• Chair met with SMBI Little Bus; Benevolent Society; Centre for Women; Bay Island Early Learning & Care; Brisbane South PHN; Macleay Island Progress Association; Running Wild; My Health Aisle; Canaipa Developments P/L; Bay Islands Multi Sport and Recreation Association; and Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce on Macleay and Russell Islands
• Attended AFFORD open day
• attended presentation on the Ernst and Young long-term economic benefits of Inland Rail study.

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