The richness and diversity of the RDA Logan and Redlands Board ensures a strong base through which to pursue the Region’s full economic and social potential. With the appointment of Alexis Matthews-Frederick and Joseph Wallace to the Board on 19 October 2021 along with recently appointed Board members Terri Cooper, Cr Jacob Heremaia and Shane Rendalls and continuing Board members Kim Kerwin, Anne Livingstone, Dr Douglas Hunt and John Perry OAM, I am confident the future of the Logan and Redlands Region is in good hands. Information on Board members is available at https://rdaloganandredlands.org.au/about-us/board. The Board’s focus over the recent past has been to build the RDA’s capacity through engagement, identification of key issues and establishing and socialising the RDA’s position. This was initially realised through the release of the RDA’s strategic document in October 2020. 

The Board is now focusing on recent events and emerging key regional initiatives which provide the RDA the opportunity to accelerate its ambition for the Logan and Redlands Region to be at the centre of economic and employment growth for South East Queensland, statewide Queensland and Australia wide. 

This includes engagement with key audiences and aligning RDA meetings with opportunities for consultation including escalating engagement with regional business, community and political individuals and organisations. Prior to each formal Board Meeting, the Board hosts meetings with representatives from key regional stakeholders. Building on this, future Board meetings will continue engaging with stakeholders from across government, industry, community organisations and service providers. 

Engagement complements the RDA’s big picture focus including updating its strategic document Logan and Redlands: The Centre of Economic and Employment Growth for Queensland released in September 2020 and includes the revision of the strategic document to reflect emerging initiatives and research evidence with its draft release scheduled for early 2022. 

It 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 forecast the region’s future. 

If you wish to contribute to this development work, 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. 

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

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

The Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) Round Six Grant Opportunity Guidelines were released on 13 December 2021. Applications opened on 13 December 2021 and will close on 10 February 2022 at 4.00pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Applications will only be accepted during this time. Announcements of successful projects are expected in late 2022. 

The BBRF is a $1.38 billion program investing in community-driven projects to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional and remote communities. It is an open, competitive and merit-based grants program for local government bodies, incorporated not-for-profit organisations and non-distributing cooperatives. 

Projects will be funded under two streams. 

The Infrastructure Projects Stream supports the construction of new infrastructure or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure. Grants of $20,000 to $10 million are available to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs. Guidelines are available at https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/building-better-regions-fund-infrastructure-projects-stream-round-6. 

The Community Investment Stream funds community development activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, leadership and capability building activities. Grants of $5,000 to $1 million are available to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs. Guidelines are available at https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/building-better-regions-fund-community-investments-stream-round-6. 

If you would like to discuss a project idea or need assistance with an application, please contact RDA Logan and Redlands at drd@rdaloganandredlands.org.au. RDA Logan and Redlands is available for workshops for small groups and individual organisations and will provide a letter of support for projects that create jobs, drive economic growth and build a stronger Logan and Redlands community.

RDA Logan and Redlands continues its skills audit using industry and employment data for the Logan and Redland Local Government Areas (LGAs). 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 research is being undertaken in a number of stages and includes: 

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 project will be a key input onto the Strategic Regional Plan development over the same period and will complement the RDA’s continuing work on: 

· setting out an agenda and roll out for strategic meetings with key groups (councils, state departments, business chambers, community groups etc); 

· reflecting the new charter, aligning the current planning and content of emerging plans from councils and chambers of industry; 

· developing a regional stakeholder map; and 

· developing and activating a stakeholder engagement strategy. 

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

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

GENERAL

Essential Covid-19 Information

Queensland Government Roadmap to easing restrictions  

Critically Essential Worker Requirements 

Commonwealth Government’s information entry point for details of COVID-19 and support for business

The Prime Minister's Media Statements

CCIQ Small Business Checklist 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Covid-19 Business Support Grants for Lockdown

treasury.gov.au

COUNCIL INFORMATION

Logan City Council COVID-19 Information 

Redland City Council COVID-19 Information 

TRAVEL ADVICE 

Smart Traveller information & advice

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

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 yet to be scheduled with details to be available closer to the date to ensure those who would like to attend have that opportunity. 

Following a comprehensive review of COVID-19 health and safety controls and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has indicated from 31 January 2022 vaccination will be a condition of entry for visitors at all ARTC offices and ARTC Inland Rail-run events including Community Consultative Committee meetings. 

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. 

Status information on the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton Inland Rail project is available here. 

RDA Logan and Redlands has a strong commitment to strengthening its engagement and collaboration with each of the following Chambers of Commerce: 

· Straddie Chamber of Commerce; 

· Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce; 

· Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce; 

· Logan Chamber of Commerce; 

· Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce; and 

· Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce. 

To this end, over the period October to December 2021 the RDA met with Chambers as follows: 

• 9 November 2021 – Meeting held with Straddie Chamber of Commerce on North Stradbroke Island;
• 18 November 2021 – Meeting with Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce; and
• 19 November 2021 – Meeting with island representatives including Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce on Macleay Island. 

Meetings with Logan; Logan Regional; and Beenleigh Yatala Chambers of Commerce will be arranged in early 2022. 

The RDA has commenced drafting an engagement plan to strengthen these relationships. In addition a focus on small business “good news stories” for dissemination through the RDA’s e-Bulletin, Facebook and website is under development to commence in early 2022. 

Over the period October to December 2021, the RDA: 

• met with Cleveland High School;
• participated in the CEDA event- The care economy;
• participated in the Gold Coast Manufacturing Hub forum;
• engaged with RDA Wheatbelt and RDA Moreton Bay on NDIS Thin Markets;
• met with Merino Country in relation to skill shortages;
• held meeting with Lendlease, Home Care Instead Logan and Redlands and the Australian Industry Trade College as part of the RDA Logan & Redlands Board meeting;
• participated in and sponsored the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards;
• participated in Champion Redlands Coast Industry Leaders Event;
• participated in Logan City Council and Chamber of Commerce Presidents Meeting;
• participated in South East Queensland City Deal Industry Forum hosted by Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning;
• participated in South East Queensland City Deal Industry Reference Group hosted by the Commonwealth;
• participated in and sponsored the Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo;
• attended presentation on Freight Data Hub and Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard;
• met with research lead from Champion Redlands Coast;
• participated in Regional Intelligence Briefing hosted by The Hon Nola Marino;
• submitted to the Inland Rail Program's community survey;
• attended the Regionalisation: National Address by Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie;
• attended Post-COVID potential for a world in recovery presented by Austrade and Export Finance Australia;
• participated in RDA Darling Downs and South West Digital Connectivity Webinar Series;
• participated in Infrastructure Australia’s Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps forum;
• participated in CEDA event – Is Australia’s big Infrastructure spend delivering value?;
• participated in Champion Redlands Coast research briefing;
• participated in Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Future event;
• participated in the launch of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Heartbeat of Rural Australia Study: How are NFP and Community groups faring;
• participated in the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources’ Business Grants Hub information webinar on BBRF Round 6;
• met with Merino Country in relation to higher level sewing skills;
• met with officials from Redland City Council;
• contributed to the Forward scan survey;
• contributed to the National skills Commission request for information; and
• contributed to Infrastructure Australia request for information.

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. 

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.