Major Logan Hospital expansion tenders released​​​​​​​

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The major Logan Hospital Expansion is continuing to progress and is one step closer to delivering more health care for the Logan community.

Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said tenders to deliver Logan Hospital’s $460 million expansion have been released, kickstarting two projects that will support more than 1000 jobs during construction.

The Invitation to Offer (ITO) for both the hospital expansion and the maternity upgrade were issued to shortlisted companies after an open market expression of the interest process was finalised last month for each project.

Ms Fentiman said the ITO releases were an exciting milestone for the expansion, which will deliver an additional 206 beds and treatment spaces as well as upgraded services across the hospital.

“The Logan community is growing rapidly, and the Queensland Government is supporting this growth through a major investment in health infrastructure,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This is one of Queensland’s largest ever hospital expansions and will ensure that locals receive the best care, close to home.”

Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the expansion was the signature piece of a wider infrastructure improvements program being delivered at Logan Hospital over five years, including an upgraded maternity service and a new multi-level carpark.

“Birthing pools and overnight facilities for partners will be part of a major $18.87 million upgrade to Logan Hospital’s maternity service,” Mr Dick said.

“Metro South Health has been working closely with mums, families and clinicians to complete a detailed design for the upgrade, which has been planned to minimise the impacts on services during the upgrade.

“Because we’re upgrading the service in a live hospital environment, we needed to plan this project in meticulous detail, and now we’re in a position to finalise procurement, ready for construction.”

“The project will deliver six additional maternity inpatient beds, five extra birthing suites, and an expanded special care nursery.

“The community have also told us they want access to water birthing, so I’m thrilled we’re providing this option, and for the first time there’ll be facilities for partners to stay overnight, which is great for local families,” he said.

“As a former Queensland Health Minister I’m delighted the Palaszczuk Labor Government is delivering the biggest expansion in the hospital’s history, which will serve our community well for many years to come.”

Member for Logan Linus Power said the project will see one of the hospital’s main buildings rise by four stories and the open-air ground level built in – increasing the capacity of the hospital by almost half.

“We will also upgrade and expand existing clinical and support areas including the emergency department, mental health, intensive care, endoscopy and coronary care units,” Mr Power said.

“As well as the boost to healthcare services, the scale of the project meant there would be significant employment opportunities for local tradies and subcontractors, and into the future, more healthcare workers.

“The Queensland Government is focused on getting people back to work as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19, and this major project will support that through local jobs.”

Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon said the maternity upgrade is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to providing more and better services, no matter where you live.

“This upgrade will deliver the modern facilities our community deserves, to ensure families in our growing region have the best possible care available to them, close to home,” Ms McMahon said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has already delivered a $1.5 million Mental Health Lounge within the emergency department for patients experiencing mental health concerns, as well as a $9 million 28-bed medical ward.”

Detailed design on the major expansion project commenced last month and a series of infrastructure upgrades with be undertaken over the rest of the year, with work to start on the main construction in 2021.

Construction for the maternity upgrade project is due to start September 2020.

For more information on the project visit health.qld.gov.au/loganexpansion

New Greenlink provides active transport corridor and connections for businesses

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A $3.2 million project to create an environmental and recreation corridor in Slacks Creek has been completed and features nearly a kilometre of 3 to 4-metre-wide pathway that connects Moss Street with Compton Road.

It also includes a bridge crossing and boardwalk along the creek.

Art work, bench seating, bike shelters and dog-waste bins are features of the pathway along with wayfinding and interpretive signage.

The corridor has lighting and 24-hour monitored CCTV security cameras.

The project was co-funded by $1.28 million from the State Government through a Cycle Network Local Government Grant (CNLGG).

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the Slacks Creek Greenlink was another delivery from Council’s $5 million Springwood Summit Implementation Plan.

It follows on from the recent opening of the $1.6 million Dennis Road to Murrajong Road shared pathway and streetscape upgrade.

“Business owners and residents were extensively consulted in the planning, design and construction of the Greenlink,” Cr Power said.

“This is a great outcome for the city and the local community and shows yet again that Council is delivering on the ideas put forward at the Springwood Summit.”

City Economic Development, Planning and Environment Committee Chairperson, Councillor Jon Raven, said the Greenlink was another example of Council making our natural areas more accessible to the community.

“When we activate our environment, we activate our community. This pathway provides people with transit options whether you’re on foot, on wheels, working out or on your way to a working lunch.” Cr Raven said.

City Lifestyle Committee Chairperson, Councillor Laurie Koranski said Slacks Creek is an important environmental corridor and the new Greenlink had been designed to complement that.

“The project has included some landscaping of the waterway which ensures the right balance between protecting the surrounding environment while also allowing the community access to appreciate the birds, wildlife and native plants along the corridor,” Cr Koranski said.

Division 3 Councillor Mindy Russell said Council had already received feedback from a number of businesses along the Greenlink that are excited about the opportunities to expand their offerings to cater to those using the pathway.

Among them is Extraction Artisan Coffee which has had plans drawn for a new deck facing the Greenlink that will contribute to activating this open space.

“This entire corridor is going to be another great destination in Logan for exercise, recreation and relaxation,” Cr Russell said.

Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said the project would deliver safer facilities for bike riders and the community.

“We know that on average every dollar the Palaszczuk Government invests in bike-riding infrastructure returns nearly five dollars in economic benefit to Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.

“On top of this, we see improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion and lower transport costs.

“We have seen a significant increase in the use of our bikeways in recent years. That’s why we’re investing more than $15.5 million in funding to local governments to deliver new high-priority bike networks over the next two years.”

UQ Health commits to Southwest Medical Precinct

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DMA Partners have secured a commitment from UQ Health for a 725m² ground floor tenancy anchoring the new Southwest Medical complex at Meadowbrook, with their new flagship medical centre due for completion in late 2021.

UQ Health Care is a leading primary care, clinical innovation and research organisation owned by The University of Queensland. UQ Health Care works in partnership with patients, medical and allied health professionals, researchers, health policy makers and the community to find better ways to address contemporary healthcare needs.

Situated on a prominent corner of Logandowns Drive, the new build Southwest Medical Precinct is a multi-level facility comprising over 2,000m² of retail, medical and office space. Located 200m from Logan Hospital, a strong performing Woolworths supermarket and major public and private transport networks, the centre will offer its tenants and customers unrivalled exposure and convenience.

Opportunities remain for retail and complimentary medical providers and specialists from 68m² to 1,000m². The centre will be suitable for medical and allied health operators, health professionals and specialists, commercial office users and associated retailers.

DMA Partners will deliver the project on behalf of the Horwell Group after initially being engaged to determine the best possible development outcome for the vacant site in Meadowbrook.

Read more about Southwest Medical Precinct here.

Another $100 million for small business recovery grants

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Queensland small businesses impacted by COVID-19 are set to receive an additional $100 million in support to help them recover.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a second round of the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption grants of up to $10,000 would be made available from next month to help more small businesses survive, maintain and grow their staffing levels.

“Our small business community has spoken, and we have listened and responded as part of the second stage of our Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Round one of the Small Business grants received an overwhelming response.

“In the second round, we are prioritising regional areas and allocating half of the funding to support small businesses in regional Queensland.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the plan is about supporting our small businesses to create more jobs for Queenslanders.

“Small business owners, including those who had expressed interest in the first round, are encouraged to prepare the required documentation in readiness for grant applications opening on July 1,” Ms Fentiman said.

“They should read the eligibility guidelines now to ensure they have all the documentation ready to submit their application.

“First round grants have been approved for businesses right across the state from the south-east corner to the Douglas Shire in the far north and west to Goondiwindi and Longreach.

“The upfront grants of up to $10,000 will assist those small businesses forced into hibernation, to restructure, significantly change their business operations or move online.”

The grants can cover:

  • Preparing for the safe resumption of trading
  • Ongoing operating costs
  • Accessing digital technologies
  • Responding to online opportunities
  • Upskilling and reskilling business owners and staff
  • Embracing business diversification
  • Creating or retaining employment.

For more information visit www.business.qld.gov.au  

LEARN MORE

Free webinars to help you prepare your grant application

RDA Brisbane is hosting two free webinars on the program next week. You can maximise your chances of success with expert and government advice on the application process and requirements.

When are the webinars?

Tuesday 23 June, 12pm to 1pm

REGISTER 23 JUNE

OR
Wednesday 24 June, 4.30pm to 5.30pm

REGISTER 24 JUNE

About the sessions

The sessions will be conducted by three digital and business experts, and a representative from the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. They’ll cover:

  • An overview including what supporting documents are needed
  • How to write the grant i.e. key elements
  • Acquittal of funding
  • Grants process – What the online application looks like
  • Investing in business training – What to look for and why

These will be interactive sessions with opportunities for Q & A.

For further information on the webinars contact Sha Wharton: shaleen@rdabrisbane.org.au

For more information and assistance, please contact Logan Office of Economic Development.

Relaunching your business

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Over recent months, there have been a number of changes required by our business community to maintain community safety in response to COVID-19. While many industries have maintained their operational abilities, others have been closed or made significant changes to their way of conducting business on the fly. As plans for easing of restrictions are put in place, it is important that all business owners get ready to accommodate the public in the ‘new’ normal operating conditions.

Create or update your business plans

Now is a great time to create or update your business plan. Plans can be as simple as a single page with dot points with a popular version of this being the “business model canvas”. A quick web search will provide templates and howto videos.

The following questions will assist the process and guide how your business will generate revenue. Consider recent changes to your business that may become part of your new normal, i.e.:

  1. Have you made any changes to how you operate to cater for restrictions? (e.g. Delivery options, changes to product offering)
  2. Will these changes be a permanent contribution to your revenue generation?
  3. Will you choose a different value proposition? (e.g. Implement a buy local policy to improve your local community’s economic outcomes)
  4. Who are your customers? Have they changed from your original business or have you found a new market from changing your business model under restrictions (e.g. Restaurant adding take-away as an option opens a new market to customers)?
  5. How will you market your business? For many, this will be the most important aspect of their plan, with businesses requiring a relaunch of sorts to remind customers that you are back to serve their needs. With many people working and educating at home and on devices, a digital marketing plan is a great starting point. To assist with this, there is a Federal Government program which provides low cost, high quality digital advisory services to Queensland Small Business which includes one-on-one consultations with a dedicated advisor starting from $44.00 inc. GST. For more information: asbas.rdabrisbane.org.au
  6. Create a budget and cash flow forecast with the help of your trusted finance professional.

Don’t know where or how to start? Council has a range of business support services including dedicated business advisors that can be contacted on (07) 3412 4888 to arrange a free confidential discussion.

Through planning ahead, the business has the best chance of successfully relaunching.

For a list of useful websites to assist your business through COVID and beyond:

Logan builds local launching pad for new Economic Vision

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A series of local business workshops will help formulate a new Economic Development Vision and Strategy for the City of Logan.

Logan City Council has adopted a timeline that will see the strategy delivered by March next year.

Council’s existing Economic Development Strategy expires in 2021.

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the new strategy would provide a roadmap for the City of Logan’s financial and business future with a focus on jobs and investment.

“As many businesses across our city begin to battle back from the impacts of the pandemic, now is the ideal time for our new Council to take a fresh look at the economic development of our city,” Cr Power said.

“This will not be an economic development strategy for Council but an over-arching strategy for our city, our residents and our business community.

“This is a strategy that will help build from within the 20,000 business that call Logan home.

“It will have a strong focus on growth and provide them with an improved and sustainable platform from which they can compete with success locally, interstate and globally.”

Council has commissioned highly respected business consultancy firm SGS Economics & Planning, in conjunction with the University of Queensland and the Policy Innovation Hub at the Griffith Business School, to assist in the development of the new strategy.

The strategy will be formulated through a collaborative process across in two stages.

The first stage, already completed, involved a detailed data analysis of economic modelling of the city’s economy. It sought to identify enablers of economic development and define the types of business that could operate successfully with a base in Logan.

The second stage, a stakeholder co-design process, is scheduled to begin next month.

It will involve the formation of a co-design panel representing key themes that relate to the new strategy.

The co-design panel will help facilitate a series of ‘economic opportunity’ and ‘action planning’ roundtables and workshops in August and September.

City Planning, Economic Development and Environment Chair, Councillor Jon Raven called on Logan’s most successful and innovative business leaders to get involved in the strategy development.

“This strategy will seek to redefine Logan’s future with a focus on jobs, investment and local wealth,” Cr Raven said.

“Economic growth must be built from within. Council needs successful local businesses to help develop the foundations for employment and success in our city.”

A number of major businesses with national profiles have already set up base in the City of Logan or have plans to relocate here. These include GO1.com, McPhee Distribution Services, Wing, DHL, John Deere, Avery Dennison, National Tiles and CEVA Logistics.

Data shows that Logan has a young and diverse workforce and has seen steady growth in the last decade in sectors including manufacturing, health and education.

For more information email loed@logan.qld.gov.au or telephone 3412 4888.