Global food markets on international display

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Celebrity British chef Ainsley Harriott is doing his part to showcase our city’s diverse produce and markets with the screening of Ainsley’s Market Menu featuring our Logan Central Global Food Markets.

The popular TV series, which is screened in 130 countries will be broadcast throughout Australia on SBS on 24 October.

When the episode was shot earlier this year, Ainsley visited stalls collecting locally-grown ingredients and tasted many of the largely ethnic cuisines on offer while deciding which dishes to prepare.

He bought Halal lamb, kundru, cassava, turmeric, ginger and plenty of Asian greens provided by local vendors and then used the ingredients to cook three gourmet dishes on site at his stall as hundreds of market-goers and vendors looked on.

The first dishes he made were a global green shot and coconut smoothie and Asian lamb patties on char-grilled cassava. As a main course he created Ram’s kundru pumpkin vegetable curry, which  he made for stallholder Ram Harakh Maharaj, of Shailer Park, who was celebrating his 85th birthday.

During filming Ainsley said the markets were among the most diverse he had visited—with the range of local produce rivalling some of the huge street markets in London.

“The food here (in Logan) was fantastic, fresh and vibrant and I just wanted to cook it,” he said.

“Everyone was so friendly. It was just a brilliant day.”

Ainsley’s visit to the City of Logan’s Global Food Markets follows the hugely successful guest appearance at the markets in 2017 by MasterChef runnerup Poh Ling Yeow.

The Sunday morning Global Food Markets, based in Croydon Rd, Logan Central, are a weekly event run by Ethnic Communities Council of Logan Inc. with support from Logan City Council.

The majority of the produce on sale is sourced from backyard gardens and community vegetable plots across the city and includes ingredients suited to Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Indian and Pacific Island cuisines.

For more information on the weekly Global Food Markets go to globalfoodmarkets.com.au

Whitewater adventure park to make a splash in Logan

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Logan City Council has progressed its whitewater adventure park plans with the completion of a pre-feasibility study outlining a unique $65 million tourism asset that would also suit a future Olympic Games venue.

The Lucid Economics study shows the park would cater to a raft of activities including kayaking, canoeing, guided rafting, swift water rescue training, unguided rafting and tubing and inflatable obstacle courses.

A restaurant and retail component as well as trails, zip lines, challenge courses and areas ideal for school holiday programs, promotions and special events would also feature.

Logan City Council Director of Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, said the project would be an exciting tourism boon for the city and would provide significant economic benefits.

The study was earmarked as a priority under Council’s Logan Destination Management Plan 2018-2022.

“This pre-feasibility study is the first phase to see how a project like this would stack up and early indications are that it ticks all the boxes,” he said.

“With potential to become an iconic tourism asset for our growing city, the facility could also be adapted as an Olympic venue through the provision of associated spectator and safety infrastructure or used as a training venue for elite athletes.”

During the construction phase it is estimated that 147 full time jobs would be created with a further 114 employed once complete.

Given Logan’s sub-tropical climate, the facility could operate all year round. The provision of a dual channel facility will also help to maximise usage and revenue during busier summer months when elite athletes from the northern hemisphere could train during their winter in the warmer southern hemisphere climate.

“The possibilities are endless and its ideal location between Gold Coast and Brisbane would attract local residents in the broader region, interstate and international visitors, national and international elite athletes, school groups, corporates and children’s parties,” Mr Hansen said.

Following a Committee endorsement today, confirmation by Council resolution next week will allow officers to proceed with the development of a business case to facilitate investment and will include further work on identifying a preferred site.

Logan has a significant catchment of 3.1 million residents within an hour’s drive from the city. This population is expected to grow to around five million by 2041.

Berrinba’s Third Avenue extension is open

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The green light has been given at Third Avenue in Berrinba with the new road link open to traffic.

Traffic signals were switched on at the Third Avenue and Wembley Road intersection today.

Third Avenue now connects Wembley Road to the Gilmore Road roundabout.

The extension will improve traffic flow through the growing industrial zone.

The project is also expected to lessen congestion during peak hours at the nearby Berrinba East State School, as general through traffic now has the opportunity to conveniently bypass the school precinct.

Logan City Council Roads and Water Director Daryl Ross said the road extension was a huge boost for Berrinba.

“The extension of Third Avenue will ensure traffic flows are efficient and will make the suburb’s businesses more accessible and more connected,” he said.

“This road link is also a win for residents and families in the area, particularly those accessing the local school.

“Logan City Council is proud to continue delivering the infrastructure our community needs.”

Wing lands in Logan

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Residents in the Logan suburbs of Crestmead and Marsden will be among the first residents of Queensland to experience air delivery, as Wing will be delivering a range of items to their homes, by drone, within minutes.

Using the Wing app, customers will be able to order hot coffee, fresh eggs and milk, hot roasted chickens, and hardware products from three Logan businesses: Extraction Artisan Coffee, Friendly Grocer Crestmead, and Browns Plains Hardware.

Delivery service will initially be available to a small number of households in the suburbs of Crestmead and Marsden as part of Wing’s Early Flyer program.

“We’re excited to be bringing our fast, safe and environmentally friendly service to South East Queensland,” Wing CEO James Ryan Burgess said.

“Our service helps busy parents who’ve forgotten to pick up a bottle of milk, hosts who need a meal for guests that pop around on short-notice, or weekend DIYers who need the right drill bit to complete their project.”

Minister for Innovation Kate Jones said the Government was working hard to make Queensland the capital of drone technology in Australia.

“Today’s launch of Wing’s drone delivery service to Logan residents is another feather in Queensland’s cap. Being able to take advantage of drone deliveries will not only mean greater convenience for consumers but will also allow businesses to capitalise on the opportunities provided by technological advancements.”

Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick called Wing’s decision to choose the electorate of Woodridge and the City of Logan as one of its first drone delivery locations on the planet “a huge vote of confidence in our community”.

“The business is eager to grow in the south-east, and once at full capacity, it’s expected to generate millions for our economy while offering greater buying convenience for residents and reducing traffic on our roads,” Mr Dick said.

Logan City Council Director of Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, welcomed the Wing technology.

“This is exciting for the City of Logan and for the residents of Crestmead and Marsden who will become Wing’s first customers in Queensland,” he said.

“Logan is fast becoming a city rich with innovation and Council is committed to supporting and attracting new business to the city. The arrival of Wing is a significant step in Logan’s evolutionary journey to become an innovative, dynamic city of the future.

“We are confident this new drone delivery service will be embraced by the community and we look forward to seeing the opportunities for local businesses selected to trial the technology. Council will continue to work closely with Wing on community awareness initiatives as it hosts flight demonstrations and information stalls in the coming weeks.”

Wing has obtained approvals from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to commence operations in Logan. They have also received development approval from Logan City Council for modifications to their delivery facility in Berrinba.

This week, Wing will continue hosting a series of information stalls and flight demonstrations, giving the community the opportunity to experience drone deliveries in person and share feedback.

Wing plans to begin air delivery to the first customers in Logan in the coming weeks. Residents of Crestmead and Marsden interested in joining the Wing service or wanting to stay updated on the latest delivery areas, can visit wing.com/australia/logan to sign-up.

Anyone with questions about the service, can email support-AU@wing.com.

Logan Motorway upgrade complete

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Traffic is flowing more smoothly on one of south-east Queensland’s busiest roads as a $512m two-year project to widen sections of the Logan and Gateway Motorways comes to an end.

15km of new lanes and better interchanges will result in better connections and improved freight efficiencies. In particular recognised growth hotspots like the Berrinba industrial area and growing communities along Mt Lindesay Highway have convenient connections to SEQ’s major road corridors.

The upgrade delivers vast improvements to the cramped Wembley Road interchange with a new four-lane bridge over the motorway, a better interchange with the Gateway Motorway and new on and off ramps for the Gateway Motorway at Compton Road.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project – promised, started and completed under her Government, providing 1300 jobs during construction – would mean quicker trips and fewer traffic jams for cars and trucks.

“We know Queenslanders want to spend less time in traffic and more time at home with their families and friends, and that’s what projects like this do,” the Premier said.

“This extra bridge at Wembley Road will fix the notorious jams and cut travel times for locals crossing the motorway between Browns Plains and Logan Central.

“This upgrade is also about improving freight productivity and supporting local businesses and jobs.

“Berrinba has quickly established itself as an important southside freight hub.

“Those businesses need quick and convenient access for trucks to connect with major highways heading north and south of Brisbane, and that’s what this project has delivered.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project provided 15km of new lanes, unlocked some of the south east’s busiest motorway interchanges and provided new connections to the Gateway Motorway at Compton Road.

“More than 170,000 motorists use the Logan and Gateway Extension Motorways every day,” Mr Bailey said.

“Communities like Flagstone and Yarrabilba are growing, so it’s important that these important connection points across the motorway meet that growing local demand.

“This project is just one of a series of major southside highway upgrades people will see completed in the next couple of years to tackle congestion.

“The M1/M3 upgrade, works between Rocklea and Darra on the Ipswich Motorway and safety improvements on the Mount Lindesay Highway are all underway now as part of our record $23 billion, four year infrastructure investment for Queensland.”

State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the project, fully financed and delivered by Transurban Queensland, was a great example of the Palaszczuk Government working with industry to deliver benefits for the community.

“For too long Wembley Road roundabout and overpass were pinch points for the network in this area,” Mr Dick said.

“The improvements to access, travel times and safety has seen the area boom, with a major commercial and property developments being approved or delivered thanks to this project.

Transurban Queensland Group Executive Sue Johnson said the upgrade to the Logan and Gateway Extension motorways had made it the quicker, safer choice for motorists.

“Thanks to the project, motorists are getting 20 minutes back in their day by taking the Logan Motorway,” Ms Johnson said.

“With roadworks now complete, speed limits are back to 100km/hr – there’s never been a better time to take the Logan Motorway.”

A new 2km bike and pedestrian path has also been built as part of the project, which links Beaudesert Road to Mount Lindesay Highway via the Logan Motorway.

Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon said the increase in tolls had been accepted by the heavy vehicle industry in return for the time saving benefits the project would deliver.

“This upgrade is about reducing congestion and better access to industrial estates alongside the motorway,” Mr Mahon said.

“Those are the kind of benefits we want to see, because that helps our industry save on fuel costs, bring more certainty to trip times and supports more efficient freight movement.”

For more information about the project, visit https://loganenhancementproject.com.au/ (external site)

Logan Enhancement Project – fast facts:

  •  More than 3 million hours worked
  •  2 years of major construction
  • 10,000 people inducted to site
  • 70,000 cubic metres of concrete poured
  • 454,000 tonnes of asphalt placed
  • 10,000 tonnes of steel used
  • 93 bridge girders / beams installed
  • 400 bridge deck units installed
  • 5000 trees planted
  • 500,000 community notifications

New tender portal for Logan contracts

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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

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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.

Paddle begins for Logan’s thrilling whitewater vision

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Logan City Council has advanced plans to build an Olympic-standard whitewater park in the city with an economic feasibility study and site selections to be completed in the coming weeks.

The proposed whitewater park, which has been earmarked as a ‘game changer’ by Council in its tourism planning, would be a Queensland-first and one of only two in Australia.

American kayaker and slalom canoeist Scott Shipley, a three-time Olympic representative and three-time World Cup winner, scouted possible park locations with Council officers in recent weeks.

Shipley’s business, S2o Design, is a design and engineering company behind the construction of successful whitewater parks around the world.

The proposed park would meet Olympic-standard criteria and would be ready for use should the South-East Queensland bid for the 2032 Games be launched.

Logan City Council Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea said such a unique facility for the state could act as catalyst for more tourism opportunities in Logan.

“This is an exciting project for Logan, something completely different to any other tourism attraction in the south-east,” Ms O’Shea said.

“I’ve been very impressed with the planning so far and it would be tremendous for this project to go from the drawing board to reality.”

Council began investigating the possibility of a whitewater park in 2016 and last year it was identified as one of four ‘tourism game changers’ in its Logan Destination Management Plan 2018-2022-Summary-low res.

The whitewater park was made a priority project because:

  • It would be the first of its kind in the state and only the second in Australia
  • It leverages off Logan’s open space and available land
  • It strengthens Logan’s potential as a major sporting and recreation hub
  • It can leverage off Logan’s proximity to major markets such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast
  • It can operate almost year-round thanks to a warmer climate compared to Penrith and Auckland where similar facilities are located

Other key projects identified in the Destination Management Plan include a branded hotel or serviced apartment complex, a destination holiday park and a riverine discovery centre.

Logan City Council also enlisted a world champion to help design a new world-class BMX freestyle and skate park facility in Beenleigh.

A $3.1million rebuild of Doug Larsen Park will give Logan what Cycling Australia has rated will be Australia’s premier BMX freestyle facility ahead of the sport’s debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In a community-driven effort, Logan-raised BMX freestyle 2017 world champion Logan Martin helped design the BMX course and skate-park half-pipes along with representatives from Cycling Australia and the local BMX and skateboarding communities.

KBF Precinct set to become major events destination

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The redeveloped Kingston Butter Factory (KBF) Precinct will become the new home of large-scale entertainment in Logan in 2020.

The space will become the City of Logan’s largest outdoor venue, with a permanent stage and capacity for 5000 people.

It will be positioned to attract national and international touring acts, as well as festivals, markets and signature local events.

Located adjacent to the Kingston railway station, the venue will not only be a boost for Logan residents but will be easily accessible for visitors and those who live in neighbouring cities including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Ahead of its opening next year, Council has allocated funding to create an exciting program of events for the outdoor space that will appeal to all ages and ensure the KBF Precinct becomes a highly valued destination.

The outdoor space is part of the Kingston Butter Factory Precinct Redevelopment Project, for more information visit the website.

Summits shape exciting futures for city centres

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Two key city centres in Logan will receive $10 million in funding to deliver projects that will drive investment and economic growth.

Funding forms part of the 2019/20 Budget delivered by Logan City Council.

Meadowbrook’s evolution into a health and wellbeing precinct will be boosted with $5 million, with another $5 million set aside to unlock the economic potential of Logan Central.

Logan City Council Strategy and Sustainability Director David Hansen, said funding for the city centres was set aside following successful Council-hosted summits last year.

Officers from Council’s Economic Development and Strategy team collated the feedback from summit attendees and community members to compile a list of priority projects.

“This funding means we can take these projects from being ideas on paper through to the planning, detailed designed, and ultimately delivery stages,” Mr Hansen said.

“Meadowbrook is well-placed to become a leading health precinct.

“It is already home to the Logan Hospital, Griffith University and TAFE campuses, making it Logan’s prime site for health care and advanced education.

“This funding will allow for infrastructure upgrades along Loganlea Road, such as a new pedestrian crossing between the hospital and shopping centre, as well as projects aimed at attracting health-care and education investment to the area.

“Logan Central is another significant city centre, incorporating Council offices and chambers, the Logan Entertainment Centre, major retail centres and a richly diverse community.

“This funding will allow Council to proceed with projects that stimulate the local economy and enhance its standing as the cultural centre of Logan.”

Some of the key projects identified for Logan Central include:

  • A shared pathway and promenade from Wembley Rd to Logan Gardens, connecting to the upcoming water park, incorporating gathering spaces, street furniture, lighting and public art
  • Free Wi-Fi to Logan Gardens
  • A Streetscape Masterplan for the Croydon Road Precinct, including Croydon Road and its laneways, Station Road, Railway Parade and Blackwood Road and delivery of streetscape upgrades
  • Place Branding, Centre Activation and Building Improvement Strategies aimed to improve place identity, improving a night time economy and encouraging land owners and business to invest in upgrades to shop fronts

Projects for Meadowbrook include:

  • Delivering a new pedestrian crossing on Loganlea Road between Logan Hospital and Meadowbrook Woolworths Shopping Centre
  • Create a ‘Meadowbrook Leadership Group’ comprising of key stakeholders to champion Meadowbrook as Logan’s premier destination for health-care and education investment
  • Implement works to start the transformation of Loganlea Road into a ‘Healthy Street’, including street scaping and street trees, an improved pedestrian environment and off-road cycle infrastructure
  • Develop a transport and parking strategy for Meadowbrook, including a feasibility study for multi-level car parking

In addition to the above funding, an initial $300,000 has been set aside for the planning of place-making projects and programs for Jimboomba, to deliver on the key outcomes from the Jimboomba Summit, Council’s most recent summit.

Jimboomba’s centre provides essential retail, commercial, community and educational services to the regional community, including the rapidly-growing Flagstone development.

About 200 community members and business owners attended the March event to give their feedback on projects that could meet the needs of a growing community and boost the local economy.

A list of priority projects is still to be determined. In previous budgets, $5 million was allocated to Beenleigh and Springwood following similar summits in those locations.