Sky’s the limit for City of Logan entrepreneurs

What do holographic surgery, rocket motors and drones have in common?

They are the first industries set to be nurtured for global success through a new incubator that officially opened in City of Logan today.

Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe and Mayor Darren Power

Mayor Darren Power launched the coLab Growth Hub with Queensland Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation, the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe.

“Logan City Council has developed the coLab Growth Hub in collaboration with global edu-tech company Go1 as a place where fast-scaling ventures can grow in a supported and globally-connected environment,” Cr Power said.

“These ventures will boost our region’s economy and establish the city as a world-leader in supporting fast-growing and innovative entrepreneurs.

“It only takes a spark of creativity and entrepreneurship to set the world on fire – and the City of Logan wants to become an innovative hotbed.”

Cr Power said highly qualified and certified entrepreneurs-in-residence would mentor business owners and their employees, with tailored development programs and fully serviced office spaces also on offer.

“The firms that will grow from the coLab already have significant capital investment and mature business models, as well as a demonstrated potential for growth and maturity,” he said.

“I’m so excited to see Black Sky Aerospaceakunah and National Drones signing on as the first Portfolio Companies at the coLab.

“These entrepreneurs have already shown they can take their ideas to the world from the City of Logan.

“We want our economy to be resilient to economic disruptions and able to deliver long-term growth, and innovation is the key to that transformation.”

Minister Hinchliffe said the Logan initiative would help to create great opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Program proudly backed the growth of Go1 from local start-up to a global edu-tech,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It’s fantastic to see Go1 now sharing experience and worldwide connections with Logan entrepreneurs.

“We know innovation is critical to creating jobs and ensuring Queensland is the place to be to invest and thrive.

“Every product we use today started as an idea that was refined and developed into a job creating industry.

“Several Queensland innovators are already filling multi-million-dollar overseas orders and supporting new jobs at home.

“That’s what makes incubators like the coLab Growth Hub so important for nurturing local innovators to grow ideas into the Queensland industries of the future.”

Entrepreneur-in-residence and Go1 co-founder, Vu Tran, said the organisation was thrilled to be playing a pivotal role in establishing the coLab.

“Go1 was born and bred here, and we’re looking forward to doing our bit in growing Logan’s scale-up community,” he said.

“We have a strong belief that Logan’s future as a globally viable and exciting place for innovative and high-growth companies to call home is well within reach.

“As a community and as an ecosystem, we will all benefit from attracting and growing great, innovative companies in our city and helping them succeed.”

Council has appointed an independent Advisory Board to review Portfolio Company applications and make recommendations. The board has been appointed for an initial one-year term and is made up of experienced entrepreneurs and experts in developing and scaling new ventures.

In addition to Go1, Council has partnered with the Los Angeles-based Network for Global Innovation to deliver the coLab program.

For more information about the coLab Growth Hub, phone 3412 4328, email admin@thecolab.online or go to thecolab.online

Hundreds of jobs as Council initiative attracts $110m in development

A Logan City Council initiative aimed at attracting big business and to create jobs has cemented $110 million in new projects in the last 12 months.

Council’s Investment Attraction Program has generated 758 jobs since its inception, with more companies lining up to relocate to the city this year.

Global logistics provider DHL Supply Chain is the latest to benefit from the scheme after yesterday opening its new facility in the growth industrial hub of Berrinba.

Providing more than 100 jobs, the facility comprises two large warehouses spanning 19,000 sqm and a 10,000 sqm hard span linking the two buildings, to service the South East Queensland market.

men in front of DHL truck in warehouse

DHL State Manager Sean Hall, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven and DHL
CEO Australia and New Zealand Saul Resnick celebrate the opening of DHL at
Berrinba.

Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said DHL Supply Chain’s opening was another exciting step in the city’s economic trajectory.

“Investing in Logan just makes sense. Great location, easy access to highways and a young population so businesses have a readymade workforce,” Cr Raven said.

“The success of these companies means jobs for the people of Logan. Each company that is supported through the Investment Attraction Program must meet local job targets.

“By making sure locals get employment opportunities, we leverage these investments to create lasting wealth for our city.”

The DHL Supply Chain opening follows two other multinational companies with Rinnai Australia, a national manufacturer of gas appliances, and McPhee, a fifth generation transport company in a co-located Berrinba facility.

The $40 million project will create 130 jobs once fully operational.

DHL Supply Chain CEO Australia and New Zealand, Saul Resnick, said setting up in Logan would improve efficiencies.

“DHL Supply Chain is committed to ensuring our customers’ supply chains are cost efficient and operationally excellent,” Mr Resnick said.

“This new site combines our warehousing and transport under the one roof and provides better connections to motorways.

“We are pleased to see the efficiencies and improvements to delivery times that this site brings to our customers and to be part of the growth in the Logan region.”

Other companies to launch in City of Logan the program include:

  • HELP enterprises – an employment provider for people with disability. It assists people who have been out of the workforce for long periods to re-enter the workforce as well as supporting disadvantaged people to secure employment. Employing 77 people, the business has built a warehouse and distribution facility at Crestmead to service City of Logan.
  • Pinnacle Hardware – a national garage storage supplier, specialising in innovative and quality storage solutions, garden sheds, pet enclosures and hardware. They supply exclusively to Bunnings and their new site at Berrinba is a distribution facility for Queensland. They employ more than 30 people.
  • Go1 – an online training and education service provider with their global headquarters at Underwood. The business moved to Brisbane but returned to its Logan roots and is now leading the way in innovation. The company has raised $40 million, including a big chunk of funding from Microsoft’s venture funding arm M12.
  • The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre – an industry-led organisation, combining employers and unions to create and teach the highest standards of vocational training for plumbing, gas fitting, air conditioning and fire safety. Their new site in Beenleigh combines two of their existing Queensland training facilities to become their largest site in the state.
  • ATP Science – set to employ 70 people at its new Meadowbrook facility. The pharmaceutical and health supplement manufacturer has increased its capability and capacity to do research and development and access international markets.

Border Express, Imaging Solutions and B&C Plastics have also expanded their operations in the city.

Last year, City of Logan launched the $1.5 billion Crestmead Logistics Estate. The nine-stage, 157-hectare estate will deliver 650,000 square metres of warehousing, business, logistics and manufacturing buildings.

It will generate around 6000 full-time jobs over the next five years. Tenants include the recently launched $500m Mapletree Logistics Park, set to deliver around 200,000 square metres of high-grade logistic warehousing and office space.

The project is expected to create at least 2500 jobs over four stages of construction.

Cr Raven said the community can be proud that City of Logan is leading the way as one of the most dynamic regional cities in the country.

“These are successful companies and they know we’re building something special in Logan,” Cr Raven said.

“To be able to attract and retain national brands to headquarter their operations in our city shows that Council’s vision and growth strategy is working.”

Jimboomba Central is City of Logan’s best in urban design

A shopping centre in the heart of Jimboomba, which utilises clever and practical design, has scooped a double at the Logan Urban Design Awards (LUDA).

A record number of entries were received for the awards, which recognise the best in urban design that help create innovative and inclusive social environments.

Jimboomba Central was named the 2020 LUDA Overall Winner after also collecting the Architecture Award.

The Cusack Lane structure was described by judges as a ‘clever design’ that was likely to be a reference project for similar future retail projects across the City.

The project was commended for its spatial sophistication, choice of materials and generous landscaping.

In winning the Architecture Award, Jimboomba Central was praised for its appealing streetscapes and internal court space which together created a ‘dynamic centre’.

Councillor Bannan in front of Jimboomba Central

Councillor Scott Bannan (Division 9) at the award-winning Jimboomba Central shopping centre

The 2020 LUDA awards, delayed from last year because of pandemic restrictions, were presented at a ceremony at Kiwanda Café in Eagleby on Wednesday night.

Other winners were:

  • Master Planning Award: Everleigh
  • Landscape Architecture and Urban Infrastructure Award: Brookhaven – Discovery Park
  • Businesses and Events Award: Beenleigh Town Square Night Markets (Goodwill Projects)

The judging panel included Richard Coulson (Cox Architecture), Nicholas Marshall (The Urban Developer) and Nathalie Ward (Lat27).

Planning Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said the high standard of entries was inspiring.

“This year’s winners have set a new benchmark for excellent urban design as we continue to see unprecedented growth in the commercial sector across the city,” Cr Raven said.

“It is great to see Jimboomba Central named as Overall Winner and shows why Council has allocated $5million in funding to continue to develop the Jimboomba City Centre into a popular and vibrant destination.

“The quality of entries across all categories demonstrates that the City not only embraces practical development, we also embrace projects that are visually appealing and suited to our landscapes and environment.”

The Logan Urban Design Awards are sponsored by gold sponsor, EPOCA and silver sponsor, Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers.

Photo of trophies

To see a full list of nominees, winners and commendations, visit Council’s website.

 

Massive development kickstarts jobs bonanza

Logan City Council has granted approval to one of the biggest industrial developments in the city’s history.

An industrial park of nine warehouses will be constructed by Mapletree Investments, a leading real estate development, investment, capital and property management company headquartered in Singapore.

The new $500m Mapletree Logistics Park – Crestmead will be built on 36 hectares of the new $1.5 billion Crestmead Logistics Estate launched by Council last year.

The development will deliver approximately 200,000 square metres of high-grade logistic warehousing and office space.

The site is expected to include buildings ranging in size from 5000sqm up to possibly a massive 100,000sqm – the equivalent of almost 20 football fields.

The project is expected to create at least 2500 jobs over four stages of construction.

Artist impression of Mapletree Logistics Park with Crestmead in background

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the project was a strong endorsement for investment in the city.

“This is the start of a development that will deliver thousands of jobs for locals,” Cr Power said.

“This project is a game-changer, not just for the City of Logan, but all of South East Queensland.

“Mapletree, one of the largest industrial developers in the world, is leading the way in showing investors that the City of Logan is an ideal place for businesses to set-up and grow.

“Despite the setbacks of last year, this project sends a clear message that Logan is again open for business and a new hub for jobs and investment.”

Mapletree Group’s Chief Executive Officer Hiew Yoon Khong said the organisation had a strong conviction on the growth prospects of Australia’s logistics real estate sector.

“Mapletree Logistics Park – Crestmead’s excellent connectivity to key transportation nodes will provide companies with a high-quality space in a strategic location,” Mr Hiew said.

The Mapletree development was approved under Council’s innovative RiskSmart approval process.

It was subject to a comprehensive pre-application review prior to the application being formally lodged and approved by Council and the State Government.

The Crestmead Logistics Estate, on the corner of Green and Clarke Roads, was launched by Council in August last year.

It will be rolled out over the next five years and will eventually deliver 650,000 sqm of warehousing, business, logistics and manufacturing space.

The estate’s appeal includes its easy accessibility to the Logan and Gateway Motorways, two of the busiest transport arterials in South East Queensland.

Artist impression of Mapletree Logistics Estate

Crestmead Logistics Estate adds to an existing 367,000 sqm of commercial activity recently completed or planned in the City of Logan over the coming year.

Developments include:

  • DHL – 19,000sqm $38m 132 jobs (complete)
  • Mitre 10 – 27,000sqm $50m 110 jobs (complete)
  • Alphabet (Wing) – 15,000sqmm 36 jobs (complete)
  • Queensland Logistics Service – 15,000sqm 20 jobs (complete)
  • Pinnacle Hardware – 14,000sqm 36 jobs (complete)
  • CEVA – 21,000sqm (complete)
  • Hutamaki and Phoenix Transport – 25,000sqm (complete)
  • GPT – 13,000sqm (under construction) a further 72,000sqm to complete
  • Rinnai 13,000sqm (complete)
  • McPhee Transport 17,000sqm (under construction)
  • Berrinba Central Shopping Centre (Stage 1 complete, Stage 2 and 3 under construction)
  • Goodman 56,000sqm (under construction)
  • Quilton 60,000sqm (13 sheds under construction)