The new and continuing members of the RDA Logan and Redlands Board have been busyengaging with key regional stakeholders. Prior to their 17 August 2021 meeting, Board members enjoyed a rich discussion with representatives for the regions Chambers of Commerce.

Building on this, future Board meetings will continue engaging with stakeholders from across government, industry, community organisations and service providers.

This approach is focussed on adding to the Board’s capacity to produce a Strategic Regional Plan for the region.

The Plan is to be a living document which provides a wide range of stakeholders, potential investors and policy-makers with a better understanding of the region - including strengths, challenges and needs – and strategic priorities that outline the region’s future ambitions. The audience for the Plan includes communities, community organisations, private enterprise and all levels of government.

Work on the Plan is underway with initial steps being:

• Identifying all relevant plans for the Region and ensuring completeness of a Stakeholder map;
• Developing a concordance between identified Plans and the Regional Australia Charter and regional priorities; and
• Holding initial discussions with relevant organisations.

If you wish to contribute to the development of the Plan, 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.

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.

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

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

RDA Logan and Redlands, in partnership with Griffith University, is undertaking a skills audit using industry and employment data for the Logan and Redland Local Government Areas (LGAs). The research builds on earlier research conducted in 2020.

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

The plan will:

1. Identify the number of jobs by employment type required across the Logan and Redland LGA’s; 
2. Determine the skill level requirements for these jobs;
3. Identify the locations, using statistical area (SA) data to determine the locations within both Logan and Redland City LGA’s at which these jobs will be required; and
4. Using the project timeline data identify the years at which these jobs will be available. 

The research will be undertaken in a number of stages and will include:

1. An extensive literature review and data analysis using publicly available information from all three levels of Government (Commonwealth, State and Local Government Databases);
2. Stakeholder Engagement with key regional participants including local Chambers of Commerce, Logan and Redland City Council staff and councillors, federal and state regional development agencies, education training providers and community organisations. Stakeholder engagement meetings will be used to disseminate the results of the research and to seek additional regional input to determine the preparedness within the region to deliver the required skills; and
3. The results from the literature review, data analysis and stakeholder engagement meetings being used to develop a workforce skills projection analysis using 3-, 5- and 7-year timeframes to 2032.

The research project commenced in September 2021 and is expected to conclude in June 2022. Its conduct will provide a key input onto the Strategic Regional Plan development over the same period.

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

RDA Logan and Redlands congratulates the winners of the 2021 Logan Business Distinction Awards.

Pictured right: Practical Aquaponics, recipients of the Education, Employment and Training Award, this year proudly sponsored by the RDA Logan and Redlands.

Photo credit: Logan Business Distinction Awards.

To view the full list of Award recipients, click https://loganbusinessawards.com.au/2021-winners/

RDA Logan and Redlands congratulates all winners from the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce 2021 Business Excellence Awards.

The RDA was proud to sponsor the Food and Hospitality (Large) Award and congratulates the Capalaba Sports Club for taking out the award (pictured right).

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

·       Commonwealth 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.

RDA Logan & Redlands congratulates the following Redlands organisations on their successful applications under the Commonwealth Government’s Building Better Regions Fund Round 5:

• Macleay Island Bowls Club – The project includes an upgrade to the front entrance of the Bowls Club to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

• Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce – Championing Redlands Coast will develop a research report to identify employment opportunities in the region, future gaps in skills, opportunities for empowering small businesses and opportunities to attract investment and business to the Redlands Coast.

• Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce – This project will expand the annual Karragarra Sea Market to a four-day cross island event.

Building on this success, market engagement for Building Better Regions Fund (Round 6) across the Logan and Redlands Region has begun.

Initial workshops for small groups and individual organisations are available in advance of the calling for Round 6 applications based on the Building Better Regions Fund (Round 5) Guidelines. These are expected to be similar for Round 6 with perhaps an area of specific focus (e.g., Round 4 related to bushfire impacts and Round 5 related to Tourism impacts). Round Six timings are not finalised but it is anticipated that applications will open at the end of the year.

If you or your organisation is interested, please let the RDA know at admin@rdaloganandredlands.org.au.

INLAND RAIL - KAGARU TO ACACIA RIDGE AND BROMELTON (K2ARB)

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 planned for 29 November 2021 with details to be available closer to the date to ensure those who would like to attend have that opportunity.

In the meantime, information relating to key dates, publications and the project timeline is available at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/K2ARB. The CCC membership, Agendas, Minutes and Chair’s summaries from each of the previous meetings of the Committee are available at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/k2arb-ccc.

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;
• 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. On 16 and 17 September 2021 the RDAs met on the Gold Coast to focus on cross regional issues and engaged in a virtual discussion with representatives from the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications on a variety of issues including the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics and the SEQ City Deal.

In July 2021, the RDA:

• participated in meeting with Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce on Redland Coast Business Excellence Awards 2021;
• held several meetings in relation to developing a Southern Queensland internal migration strategy and framework;
• participated in South East Queensland RDAs’ video conference meetings with Commonwealth Minister;
• participated in Redland City Council Financial and Economic Recovery Task Force meeting;
• presented at Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce breakfast members meeting and awards launch;
• participated in National Priority Fund 2021 to 2025 teleconference;
• met with the Australian Industry Trade College;
• met with Textile, Clothing and Footwear business and Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning officials regarding skills availability; and
• met with Health Commons facilitators.

In August 2021, the RDA:

• participated in bi-monthly Logan Council/Chamber of Commerce Presidentsmeeting;
• undertook Disaster Management Training with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services;
• met with Freelance Robotics;
• participated in Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Business Awards;
• met with HLB Mann Judd;
• met with Logan City Council officers;
• attended Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting;
• met with Redland City Council officers;
• attended Suburban Alliance’s Reshaping SEQ event with presentations from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Logan City;
• held discussions with Lendlease (Shoreline and Yarrabilba);
• met with The Sycamore School; and
• participated as a member at the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Community Consultative Committee meeting.

In September 2021, the RDA:

• met with Queensland Member of Parliament;
• participated in Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Business Awards;
• attended address by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner;
• met with Gold Coast Manufacturing Hub;
• participated in SEQ RDA Alliance forum;
• participated in Redland City Council Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative (Pilot) forum;
• met with STAR Community Services in relation to Building Better Regions Fund;
• participated as a member of Redlands Job Committee Quarterly Committee Meeting;
• participated in forum on Global Labour Shortage; and
• participated in Queensland Draft State Infrastructure Strategy - online briefing.

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.