New tender portal for Logan contracts

/in ,

Logan City Council has announced an important change to its tender process.

From Saturday, August 3, expressions of interest and tenders for Council contracts in excess of $220,000 will be invited through a new e-tendering portal, TenderLink.

Contracts under $220,000 will continue to be managed through VendorPanel Marketplace.

All expressions of interest or tenders through Council’s previous portal LG Tenderbox will be finalised within LG Tenderbox.

Logan City Council’s Director, Organisational Services Robert Strachan said the new portal would help streamline tendering with Council.

“TenderLink is a reliable and easy-to-use platform that will help to increase the transparency of our tendering process,” he said.

Contractors who have previously done business worth more than $220,000 with Council will receive an email from TenderLink inviting them to set-up a new password and profile within the new process.

Council will contact other contractors inviting them to register with TenderLink.

Once registered, contractors and businesses will be notified of relevant upcoming requests for tenders or expressions of interest.

To tender for Logan City Council contracts through TenderLink from August 3, go to tenderlink.com/lcc/

For contracts lower than $220,000 businesses are encouraged to register on VendorPanel Marketplace.

For assistance in registering on either platform, or more information, email contractsrequests@logan.qld.gov.au.

Bruno takes Logan’s produce to the people

/in

Logan’s Food Ambassador, former Michelin Star Chef, Bruno Loubet added an international touch to Australia’s largest free food and wine festival Regional Flavours, which was held in July at Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands.

A master of turning everyday vegetables into culinary delights, Bruno transformed local grown mushrooms, eggplants, cucumbers and honey into his City of Logan-inspired signature dish, a mushroom and eggplant pattie, with cucumber and herbs, in coconut yoghurt, served with chilli-infused honey.

The dish was served throughout the weekend at the Logan Menu Hub which had a constant stream of visitors to the jam and cheese making demonstrations, Poppy’s Chocolates, Bee All Natural Honey, Kenon Mushrooms and Carcamos Gourmet Caramel Apples.

As a major regional producer, the City of Logan had its own food precinct with local producer stalls, and a food truck serving local specialties, including Bruno’s signature dish, prepared by Yarrabilba’s favourite chef, Fiona Robieg, from Thom and Ann’s Restaurant Deli.

Logan’s producers are now gearing up for an influx of visitors, encouraged by food experience vouchers, and a new A Taste of The City of Logan recipe book, highlighting food and beverage recipes from Bruno, local Logan Entertainment Centre Executive Chef Adam Gleaves, and other local eateries.

A digital version of A Taste of the City of Logan Recipe Book Series 3 is available. Printed books will be available free at Council offices and Eats and Beats events.

Logan City Council promotes local growers, producers and venues as part of its Food Tourism program to assist local businesses.

Payroll tax changes make QLD a more appealing place to do business

/in ,

Changes to payroll tax from this year’s State Budget came into effect on 1 July 2019, with an estimated 13,000 Queensland businesses to benefit from these changes.

Payroll tax changes will help more businesses grow and create more jobs.

Under this year’s State Budget $885 million has been committed to target payroll tax initiatives to support businesses to drive the economy and create more jobs.

“This includes increasing the exemption threshold for payroll tax for all Queensland businesses from $1.1 million to $1.3 million – this will mean 1,500 additional businesses will no longer pay any payroll tax.” Said Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman.

“We have also extended our 50 per cent payroll tax rebate for businesses taking on an apprentice or trainee and where Queensland employers have increased their number of full-time employees, they will be eligible for a payroll tax rebate for these additional employees from today.”

Starting 1 July, Queensland will have one of the highest payroll tax thresholds and lowest tax rates in the country. This makes Queensland one of the most competitive states to start and grow a small business.

Around 2800 businesses will be better off in the Greater Brisbane region as a result of the combined payroll tax changes under this year’s State budget.

The Queensland Government offers a range of information, support and programs to assist new businesses to start and existing businesses to grow.

“In addition to the payroll tax package, in this year’s State Budget we have committed a further $4 million to continue our successful small business grants, we will develop an online one-stop-shop for businesses and an online tool to make employing an apprentice or trainee easier for small business,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We have also recently released the Queensland Small Business Procurement Commitment, which is working to make it easier for small businesses to work with Government and reduce payment times from 30 days to 20 days.”

For further information visit www.business.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 935.

View the full press release.

Funding of up to $5,000 for small artisan producers

/in ,

The Small Business Artisan Producer Grants Program will provide assistance to artisan producers of gourmet food (including non-alcoholic beverages) to help them grow their businesses, access new market opportunities and enhance their gourmet food expertise.

Queensland is home to a growing number of local producers and the Palaszczuk Government wants to support more purveyors of tasty treats to get their products to market.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman launched the Supporting Artisan Producers plan at the Brisbane City Markets alongside local stall holders.

“Whether its honey or macadamia nuts, chocolates or jams, cheeses or gluten-free goodies, Queensland’s artisan producers are creating one of a kind food and beverage products,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We are committed to supporting artisan food and beverage producers and assisting them to grow and reach their goals and this is what the Supporting Artisan Producers plan will do.

“We want more artisan businesses to start, grow and employ more Queenslanders and that’s why we have detailed a range of measures including the new Artisan Producer Grants.

“These grants will provide up to $5,000 that can be used for professional advice to take their business to the next level or develop a website or digital marketing campaign to help them work smarter and enhance their online presence.”

“We are also working to tailor our fantastic Mentoring for Growth program to cater to the needs of artisan producers to ensure we are helping businesses reach their full potential.

“As part of our commitment to support artisan producers, I have also asked the Better Regulation Taskforce to conduct a review of how we can streamline licensing and process requirements for artisanal food and non-alcoholic beverage producers to sell their product.”

Mark Power, founder of Goodwill Projects who operate a variety of iconic Brisbane farmer’s markets – including The Beenleigh Town Square Markets – welcomed the launch of the plan to promote and assist the growing artisan community.

“Queensland is home to so many incredible producers and it’s fantastic initiatives are in place to plan for the future growth of the industry,” Mr Power said.

“Local stall holders such as Darren and Jo Molloy from Old Cossack Kifir Beverages are already stocking their beverages in stores across Australia and we want to help other local producers like them to expand locally, and internationally.”

Applications for the Artisan Producer Grants opened on July 11.

“By working in collaboration with our stakeholders, we will continue to support Queensland’s diverse range of artisan food and beverage producers,” Ms Fentiman said.

For more information about how the Artisan Producers Action Statement is assisting food and beverage producers in Queensland visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/artisanproducers or call 1300 654 687.