July 2022 - Logan Office of Economic Development

Business Boost Grants – Round 2 opening soon

29 July 2022/in Grants

Small businesses ready to take their business to the next level are being encouraged to apply for a Business Boost grant up to $15,000.

Previous recipients of a Business Boost grant have used the funds to introduce an online booking system, redevelop their website, develop a customised workplace health and safety system or train their staff.

Program guidelines, FAQs and terms and conditions for the latest round are now available. In response to feedback, a new two-stage application process has been introduced:

1️⃣   From 9am 12 August to 12 midnight 19 August small businesses can register interest in the grant program by completing a simple online form that collects basic business information.

2️⃣  A number of businesses will be selected through a ballot process and invited to complete a full application. All valid registrations of interest will have an equal opportunity of being selected. All businesses that have registered their interest will be informed of the outcome of this stage.

Businesses invited to complete an application will have two weeks to submit.

For more details visit the Business Queensland website

Business powers ahead

27 July 2022/in Investment

Investment, employment and fun are fast becoming a happy fact of life in the City of Logan.

Logan City Council’s Investment Attraction Incentive Fund (IAIF) seeks to attract and strategically support projects in key industries.

And it has achieved some remarkable results in the past financial year.

The fund created more than 1000 jobs in manufacturing, health, medical and tourism infrastructure across the city between July 1 last year and June 30 this year.

The $635,000 Council allocated from the IAIF in 2021/2022 generated a staggering $448 million in capital investment.

That equates to about $705 invested in the city for every dollar spent by Council.

Economic Development Chair, Councillor Jon Raven, said the Investment Attraction Incentive Fund has been a game changer

“Logan is open for business. Councils are often seen as a barrier to local business, but we want to be the opposite,” Cr Raven said.

“The fund is creating jobs for local people and the city is powering ahead as a result.

“The numbers speak for themselves – the best place to run a successful business in South East Queensland is the City of Logan.”

Australia’s largest indoor play centre, Area 51, is the latest business to embrace the City of Logan.

Gizmo’s Galaxy at Area 51, Underwood

The business is now operating seven days a week, 9am to 9pm, in the former Bunnings warehouse at 51 Kingston Road, Underwood.

The 10,000 square metre play centre offers something for all ages including an ‘air coaster’ zipline in the building’s roof, a multi-level trampoline park, climbing walls, a ninja warrior course and parkour equipment.

It also features a 300-seat café and 10 party rooms.

The business has created about 70 jobs.

An Asian night market and an outdoor movie theatre are also planned for the site.

Division 2 Councillor Teresa Lane said the community was excited to see the facility turn into a great local attraction.

“When the Asian night markets kick off, and the outdoor theatre starts up, a great night-time economy will draw even more visitors to the City of Logan,” Cr Lane said.

Mayor’s Taskforce delivers jobs

21 July 2022/in Business, Jobs and Employment

A taskforce led by City of Logan Mayor Darren Power is kicking goals with job seekers and businesses.

The Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce has already put more than 100 people into work locally.

Launched in November last year, the taskforce aims to reduce unemployment in the city.

That figure has shrunk in the past two quarters to 7.7 per cent, while the annual labour force growth is up to 8.1 per cent – the highest in the region.

The Mayor said his program was making an important difference.

“I’m proud to say the taskforce is achieving some great outcomes for local job seekers and businesses,” Cr Power said.

“It’s putting local people into work, while filling vacancies and easing the burden on employers.

“More than 100 people being placed in work is a great outcome.”

The taskforce has established a network that links businesses and job seekers with employment service providers as well as training and youth organisations.

The loganjobs.com.au website also helps businesses find the right staff.

Meadowbrook plumbing supplier Aquaknect has filled five processing positions thanks to the taskforce, which introduced them to local employment services.

Mayor Darren Power meets Aquaknect General Manager Michael Glover and employee Brendan Churchill.

General manager Michael Glover said the Mayor’s taskforce was a huge help for his business, which was struggling to fill vacancies.

“The taskforce has been sensational, relieving a lot of the pressure for us in finding new and suitable staff,” Mr Glover said.

“It’s been hard trying to get people. They come and then they disappear, or they don’t turn up to begin with.

“With loganjobs.com.au, we picked one new employee up right away. Others came on board soon after.”

The taskforce also stepped in to help Securelux ease the production pressure at its Loganholme factory.

The company, which makes security screens and doors, was short staffed.

The taskforce introduced the firm to local training groups to help fill three vacancies.

Munster Services Group, at Slacks Creek, also placed two young workers into trade apprenticeships thanks to the taskforce, while Meadowbrook company Black Label Blending filled three food processing positions.

Beenleigh firm Residential Scaffold had 23 referrals to a ‘try a trade’ session organised by the taskforce.

The taskforce aims to increase engagement with local schools to further reduce local unemployment.

There are also plans to monitor job vacancies and work with job seekers to apply.

City of Logan businesses that are struggling to find staff can contact the taskforce by emailing paulabailey@logan.qld.gov.au

Logan set to be home to Australia’s largest indoor play centre, plus new night markets

1 July 2022/in Development, Investment

Area 51 is an exciting new indoor Adventureland, with a 300-seat café and 10 party rooms, located at Underwood in Brisbane. The centre is currently under construction and when completed will be the largest indoor, fully air-conditioned play centre in Australia covering 7,200 sqm.

The facility will include a multi-level soft playground, ninja course, toddler zone, climbing arena, high ropes, trampoline, air coaster, multi sports court and sensory room. Area 51 will also host education classes for children over 6 years, including ballet, yoga, karate, zumba and cooking classes.

The idea for the Adventureland came from entrepreneur and restaurant owner Jason Wang, who has 2 young boys and wanted to get them out of the house and active.

Area 51 is on Kingston Road at Underwood

Owner Jason Wang said the Underwood site was an appealing location for them due to its proximity to major residential areas including Springwood, Underwood and Sunnybank. Jason said Logan Office of Economic Development (LOED) staff made him aware of the former Bunnings site and facilitated many introductions, and the name Area 51 was derived from the address (51 Kingston Road). Council support and the Investment Attraction Incentive Fund (IAIF) were key determinants in final selection of the site.

Timeline of activities

March 2020 – Ex-Bunnings site came on to the market via Savills
November 2020 – Kassim Investments purchased the site and retained Savills as leasing agent
October 2021 – LOED / Council staff introduce the property to Jason Wang
December 2021 – LOED refer Mr Wang to Savills to proceed
January 2022 – Discussions regarding Investment Attraction Incentive Fund commence
February 2022 – Application for IAIF submitted

Area 51 is predicting 70 ongoing jobs as part of operations, equivalent to 20 FTE’s.

The Underwood site also hosted the 2022 Brisbane Chinese Festival earlier this month, and there are plans for a 3,500 sqm Asian night market on the site of the former Bunnings nursery.

Concept plans for a Asian night market at Area 51

“After speaking to my friends in Sunnybank, about the lack of places to go at night and tough conditions for small food businesses, I wanted to create a communal space where food vendors didn’t have to commit to restrictive leases, and could sell their products in a market on a nightly basis” said Mr Wang.

Developments like Area 51 will help drive visitors to Logan and drive the night-time economy.

Area 51 at Underwood opens on Friday 8 July.

Visit our incentives page for more information on the Investment Attraction Incentive Fund and other incentives to invest in the City of Logan

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