Logan leads the way with Olympic legacy vision

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The City of Logan has doubled down on a bold bid to become a South East Queensland destination of choice.

Logan City Council’s 2023-2028 Destination Management Plan, charts a new course for the city as a leader in sustainable nature-based encounters, sporting and cultural events and entertainment experiences.

The plan will work in tandem with Council’s 2032 City of Logan Legacy Roadmap – an exciting new vision to capitalise on economic, cultural and social development opportunities ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond.

The ‘Roadmap’ – will guide the planning of the recently announced indoor sporting venue in Logan Central, as Council and the Queensland Government develop a business case for the multi-purpose facility.

It will also underpin future Council actions to advocate for vital transport and community infrastructure across the city, with improvements to supporting telecommunications systems and upgrades to the nearby Woodridge train station high on Council’s agenda.

Mayor Darren Power said the City of Logan was already a key logistics and workforce hub between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It is also home to 234 different cultures.

“Our diverse city has enormous natural and cultural advantages as a commercial, tourism and culinary destination and this profile is certain to grow as the Olympic and Paralympic Games approach,” Cr Power said.

“With so many different cultures already calling our city home, Logan will be a ‘must-do’ destination for the many visitors we can expect in the lead-up to, and during the Games.”

Key actions within Council’s 2023-2028 Destination Management Plan include:

  • Encouraging the development of more high-quality, short-term accommodation
  • Expanding the city’s night-time economy, and enhancing the offerings of key food and cultural tourism precincts
  • Backing local businesses to support the growth of an active and engaged, trade-ready industry
  • Delivering and opening the new Riverine Discovery Centre at Eagleby (slated for completion in mid-2024)

The plan will also work to increase visitor spend and stay within the City of Logan and develop a calendar of destination-based events to increase visitor demand.

Economic Development Chair Councillor Jon Raven said small steps taken now were critical to delivering long-term, city-wide benefits for residents and businesses.

“The next decade and beyond is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive and deliver the infrastructure, employment and lifestyle opportunities that will help our city thrive,” Cr Raven said.

“Reaching those goals off the back of the Olympics and Paralympics will require bold decisions by this and future Councils, but the benefits for City of Logan families and businesses will be enormous.”

The community will be invited to have their say on Council’s 2032 City of Logan Legacy Roadmap in the coming months.

Details will be available soon on Council’s Have Your Say website: haveyoursaylogan.com.au

FLAME provides proof of concept for great events in the City of Logan

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This month Logan City Council delivered the FLAME BBQ street festival in Jimboomba.

Over 18,000 people attended the festival on Saturday 17 September 2022, well in excess of the original target of 8,000 and anticipated attendance of 13,000. The registration page experienced over 5,000 registrations in the 4 days leading up the event.

The street festival was developed as a result of feedback provided by the community at the 2019 Jimboomba Summit. Activation of Cusack Lane and street-based parties were identified from the Summit Outcomes, as well as delivery of a range of events from small-scale to large events in the centre.

During event planning a BBQ event was selected from a range of options and BBQ and Beer Roadshow was engaged to help deliver the event. Economic Development and Strategy Branch staff secured funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund to deliver the event.

The event featured BBQ food trucks, dessert and snack food trucks, market stalls, rides, car show, 2 stages with bands and competitions, beer garden at the local tavern and connections to local food and retail businesses.

Aerial photo of FLAME Festival at Jimboomba

Activation of Cusack Lane and Brisbane Street at Jimboomba

Data from event registrations show that residents from across Logan travelled for the event. 33% of attendees were residents of another Local Government, namely Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ipswich.

Feedback on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising the concept of the event (music, bbq food trucks, family friendly) and asking for the event to become a common occurrence.

Logan City Council hosts a number of regular events in the city, including Eats and Beats, LEAF, Christmas events, Small Business Month and Seniors Month. The city also has great events spaces including Logan Entertainment Centre and recently opened Kingston Butter Factory.

Council is focusing on strategies that help build the city’s event calendar and grow the value and benefits of existing events through an events acquisition program and community event sponsorship fund.

Events help us to feel more connected and boost the economic, cultural and social fabric of Logan.

The FLAME event in Jimboomba and feedback received proves there is a large demand for great events in the City of Logan, and people will travel from across Logan and South East Queensland for the right events.

Best of Queensland recognises tourism businesses

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Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) have recently announced the Best of Queensland Experiences for 2022.

We are pleased to share that 12 Logan businesses have been identified as a Best of Queensland Experience! 🎉

The Best of Queensland Experiences Program (BOQEP) is an innovative program that guides the Queensland tourism industry to deliver exceptional transformational experiences.

The program is based on an independent set of criteria that incorporates online customer reviews, responds to consumer expectations, and reflects industry best practice. All operators assessed in the program receive an individual report providing valuable insights on consumer perceptions of their experience to drive business performance.  The Best of Queensland Experiences are assessed on an annual basis.

Congratulations to:

  • Australian Sunset Safaris
  • Bayside Wake Park
  • Beenleigh Artisan Distillery
  • Devon Pixies
  • Extraction Artisan Coffee
  • Hotel Gloria
  • Kingston Park Raceway
  • McNevins Logan Park Motel
  • Poppy’s Chocolate
  • Simply Beans
  • Spirits of the Red Sand
  • The Whitehouse of Waterford

Accreditation is increasingly becoming a necessity for businesses operating in the tourism industry. It is valued by operators, government, industry bodies and guests alike.

Learn more about the Best of Queensland Experiences Program

Devon Pixies at Kingston Butter Factory

Best of Brisbane Regional Support Program – Mentees:

This year, Logan Office of Economic Development selected 6 Logan businesses to take part in the Best of Brisbane Regional Support Program. Developed in collaboration with TEQ and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), this was a joint local government program with all Brisbane LGAs participating.

Selected businesses worked closely with a dedicated mentor, Linda Tillman, over a 12-week period. The aim of this program was to help these businesses work towards becoming a Best of Queensland Experience. From this program, we had 3x mentees highlighted below become a Best of Queensland Experience.

  • Bayside Wake Park
  • Beenleigh Artisan Distillery
  • Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum
  • Devon Pixies
  • Eagle Rider
  • Kingston Butter Factory

$6 million brewery coming to Logan

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Distillery Road Market (DRM) in Eagleby has revealed its brand new anchor tenant this month – Perentie Brewing Co. – a bespoke $6 million-dollar, 1 million litre, architect designed brewery specialising in independently crafted Lager beers, opening mid-2023.

Born from a passion for sessionable beers with a uniquely Australian flavour, Perentie Brewing Co. is helmed by Kenton Campbell, founder of Zarraffa’s Coffee and Tonken Property Group, (the developer behind DRM), with the support and guidance of renowned Burleigh Brewing’s Master Brewer and Founder, Brennan Fielding.

Taking shape inside DRM’s 17,000 square metre precinct in the heart of South East Queensland, in Eagleby, Perentie Brewing Co. will feature a purpose-built brewery and taphouse specialising in authentic Lager beers.

An idea conceived over 15 months ago and progressed during COVID, Mr Campbell’s vision was to create a beer house honouring the traditional German Lager brewing process; to produce a crisp, clean Lager beer with an unmistakably Australian taste.

Kenton Campbell at Distillery Road Market

“In 2015 when I acquired the DRM site, I had a vision to build a bespoke brewery housed in its heart that had the ability to serve up a sessionable craft Lager beer experience, which in my opinion is the heart and soul of beer,” Mr Campbell said. Utilising classic German lager brewing techniques and authentic German yeast and hops, Perentie Brewing Co. will have the capacity to brew up to 1 million litres.

“Launching Distillery Road Market was a dream come true for me, and now to be able to bring Perentie Brewing Co. to fruition with the support of Burleigh Brewing is simply incredible,” Mr Campbell said.

Perentie Brewing Co. is set to open to the public mid-2023 at Distillery Road Market, 124 Distillery Rd Eagleby QLD 4207.

Experience Different with Explore Logan

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Now is the time to reposition and present the City of Logan as an emerging and interesting tourism destination.

Introducing the new tourism destination brand for the city – Explore Logan.

Explore Logan logo

For visitors, day-trippers, family and friends, the City of Logan provides something surprisingly different when it comes to looking for a day out.

Using engaging content, Explore Logan will highlight Logan’s adventurous side, global flavours, cultural stories, great outdoors, upcoming events and uncover those hidden gems to potential visitors.

Logan is the city of cultures, a real deal destination for urban explorers, where you will be welcomed as you are. Here, you will discover hidden gems; culinary surprises; excellent arts and events; sporting passion and a twist of adventure. It’s for when you want a little bit of city; a little bit of country; a little bit of alternative; and a whole lot of time out.

Strengthening our tourism sector makes our economy more productive, creates jobs and improves our quality of life. Income injected into the local economy from tourism creates a multiplier effect as businesses draw on local suppliers and workers to meet the demand from external visitors.

Be sure to follow @exploreloganqld on Facebook and Instagram and stay tuned for their website launch in April!

Lime Cordiale ready to rock Logan

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ARIA award-winning band Lime Cordiale today toured the new Kingston Butter Factory (KBF) Cultural Precinct with City of Logan Mayor Darren Power ahead of their scheduled concert on Sunday, May 8.

Their show on KBF’s new outdoor stage is part of band founders Oli and Louis Leimbach’s annual travelling festival The Squeeze.

Along with Lime Cordiale, the line-up will include Thelma Plum, Client Liaison, The VANNS, Teenage Dads and Merci, Mercy.

Logan City Council is in the final stages of transforming the historic KBF into a world-class community precinct for arts, culture and entertainment.

Louis and Oli Leimbach from Lime Cordiale with Coouncillors Hall, Koranski, Russell and Mayor Power

Councillor Hall, Councillor Koranski, Louis and Oli Leimbach from Lime Cordiale, Mayor Power, and Councillor Mindy Russell

Mayor Darren Power said he was thrilled to welcome the band to KBF and the city.

“It will be wonderful to have them take to the KBF stage and fire up this new facility,” he said.

“We look forward to attracting many artists of this calibre to KBF as this new venue starts its journey in the coming months.”

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski, said the KBF would become a live music and cultural icon, attracting visitors from outside the city.

“KBF will transform the way our growing city entertains its community and we also look forward to welcoming visitors from Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast,” Cr Koranski said.

“We are delighted to announce Lime Cordiale will be playing at the new precinct and look forward to many more exciting announcements”.

Oli Leimbach from Lime Cordiale said it was ‘crazy to think how The Squeeze has grown from an indoor event to a major outdoor national festival for its third year.

“After the industry has been hit so hard it’s a great feeling to know that we’re pulling this off,” he said.

Tickets for the City of Logan concert are available now from Logan Arts.

Join the Logan Travel the World Passport

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The City of Logan is a booming hub of some of the best food from around the world just waiting to be explored. From the familiar favourites of Indian, Chinese and Thai to the emerging Korean, Burmese, African, Arabic and Pacifica cuisines.

There are hundreds of hospitality businesses to be found across the city, many of which are family owned and operated by hard working and passionate locals and we are excited about educating the community about the great offerings we have.

The ‘Travel the World’ campaign, an initiative of local Rebecca Cobbing from Nom Nom Logan, is about getting exposure for these businesses and encouraging the local community to discover and experience the city’s amazing foodie scene.

Local food businesses are invited to participate in the initiative and can sign up now with the campaign running from January to March 2022.

Find out more information on how to join the program.

The campaign will be free for Logan food businesses and will contribute to developing and promoting the growing food ecosystem in Logan which is an outcome of the Logan Food Tourism Development Plan.

Sharing the messages and stories of our local hospitality businesses is important as it encourages consumers to think about the local food experiences before buying anywhere else.
This money spent in Logan is more likely to be reinvested into the local economy and support local jobs.

The Travel the World in Logan passport is an initiative by Nom Nom Logan, supported by Logan City Council.

Spirits of the Red Sand wins Gold at Tourism Awards

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Beenleigh-based Spirits of the Red Sand has won gold for Best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism experience at the 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards, in recognition of their outstanding achievements and resilience over the past two challenging years.

Spirits of the Red Sand is a relatively new addition to the tourism offerings in Queensland, however that is not stopping them from punching above their weight to win Gold for Best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism experience among 81 awards presented.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the “36th annual Queensland Tourism Awards was a celebration of the outstanding success and resilience that tourism operators displayed across the state and also offered a timely platform to showcase Queensland’s iconic Indigenous tourism experiences.”

Cultural Elder & Co-founder, Eddie Ruska was in attendance and accepted the award with his daughters, Leanne Ruska, Executive Chef and Michelle Thomson, Cultural Manager.  Eddie reminded us that the experience brings healing, which is key to creating stronger connections and breaking down barriers.  You can view their acceptance speech here.

CEO and Co-founder, Mike Tamaki, and founder of Tamaki Maori Village in New Zealand, the most awarded cultural attraction in New Zealand, believes that the post-pandemic traveller is seeking a deeper experience with our Indigenous people and their stories.  “This award symbolises recognition by the industry for the unique delivery of history through storytelling.  It truly does open your eyes to the history, beauty and vibrancy of the Aboriginal people.”

Indigenous man and woman looking at fire

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated all award winners and thanked tourism operators statewide for their hard work and resilience throughout the pandemic.

Spirits of the Red Sand was awarded bronze at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards, the last awards to take place due to COVID, so this milestone and recognition of their commitment and efforts has even more significance.  Head of Marketing & Business Management, Kerryn Collins said “This award is in honour of our team that brings their passion for sharing 60,000 years of culture in a meaningful way, consistently demonstrating their warmth and knowledge. It is also in honour of our guests who pay us the highest compliment through experiencing what Spirits of the Red Sand offers.”

This is a big accomplishment for Spirits of the Red Sand, and one they are not taking lightly. Plans are already underway for upgraded and enhanced sound and lighting facilities, a recording studio to create music tracks as part of a new retail gift gallery featuring 100% authentic indigenous art and crafts. New signage and new experiences are also underway with a focus on creating new food tours that incorporate their extensive bush tucker garden.

Australia’s New Entertainment Hub Announces Weekend Markets

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Press release provided by Distillery Road Market

Distillery Road Market (DRM) is a compelling destination designed to celebrate our region’s love of fresh produce, dining and entertainment and is now calling for stallholder expression of interests.

Despite COVID setbacks, plans for Australia’s new entertainment hub in Eagleby is booming through phase 1 of its development, this week announcing expressions of interest for stall holders have now opened for their weekend markets, set to start from mid-2021.

The brainchild of Kenton Campbell, Founder of Zarraffa’s Coffee and CEO of Tonken Property Group, which is the project developer for DRM, the vision was to deliver people more of what they want: a localised food-centric experience.

“DRM is for all stallholders and marketers,” enthused Mr Campbell. “From the heirloom gardener, florist, farmer-grown produce, street food vendors, dessert purveyors, artisans and crafters, we want to offer a huge variety of goods and produce in one vibrant location.”

Situated halfway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, the DRM weekend markets will encompass Friday and Saturday nights, and Saturday and Sundays with a range of activations to suit all people, inspired by some of the world’s greatest markets.

“Influenced by the likes of Chelsea Market in New York, Borough Market in London we are about attracting the region’s best growers and markers, filling intimate spaces with unique products, fresh produce and great food.

“We’re excited to now be able to start accepting vendors’ expressions of interest for our weekend markets via our website and we want you to be a part of it.”

With four market events across the weekend, there are a number of opportunities to become part of the DRM stallholder community.

From 4pm – 8pm, Friday and Saturday Nights, DRM will host Trucks and Tunes where visitors can ‘gather their gang’ and go on a street food journey.

“Nights are for devouring delicious food made onsite by our line-up of food trucks and stalls, while also enjoying a revolving roster of local music acts with the whole family,” enthused Kenton.

Saturday mornings will deliver a trove of local artisans, makers, and creators with the Winter Bazaar markets from 8am – 2pm.

“Designed for people to meander and enjoy a sensory experience, the Saturday Winter Bazaar markets will showcase live local music and a curation of handcrafted goods, arts, crafts, great coffee and fresh food.”

While Sunday mornings will play host to the region’s finest Growers Market from 6am – 11am.

“We want friends and family to fill their market basket with the freshest local produce – fine foods, meats, cheeses, baked goods and fresh flowers, or mosey on down for a laid back outdoor Sunday breakfast with great coffee, of course.”

DRM already plays home to Australian-owned Zarraffa’s Coffee, its roastery, headquarters and the bespoke Kiwanda Café – a factory concept cafe by Zarraffa’s.

With seating for up to 150 people, the DRM markets will be held weekly on the southern carpark site, offering locals drawn from Brisbane to the Gold Coast an experience closer to home, while welcoming visitors from all over to Australia’s newest food precinct and emerging entertainment hub.

With the success of the launch of Sugar Creek Smokehouse last year – a smokin’ hot Aus-Tex smokehouse drawing inspiration from the authentic Texan barbeque method you know and love – it’s proof that the concept for the markets will be welcomed.

“The community adoption of Sugar Creek Smokehouse and our food offerings has been incredible – it’s clear that people want more,” said James Osler, Venue Manager and Chef at Sugar Creek Smokehouse.

And more is exactly what Kenton Campbell and his team plan to deliver, all while taking guests on a mouth-watering journey, offering truly exceptional fresh food will excite and attract people from near and far.”

“This is just the beginning and there’s much more to come in 2022, as we open the entertainment precinct, more eateries and a brewery,” said Kenton.

DRM will be ever-changing, creating a distinct food and entertainment-centric hub for Logan and the southeast, believing DRM will be the ideal environment to capture the shift from the mass consumption of products to the mass consumption of experiences.

Trading across four days per week, from Thursday through to Sunday, DRM will transcend what is on offer in traditional retail precincts and transform people’s expectations of what is possible from a lifestyle destination.

Established in a re-purposed, reignited space, DRM has started and will continue to grow a happening, playful, and dynamic experience that puts people at the heart of their own food journey; helping them to connect in a constantly changing and immersive environment.

With over 600 car parks available at the precinct, DRM is located advantageously along the Gold Coast/ Brisbane growth corridor in the rapidly growing Logan City and is both visible and easily accessible from the M1 Motorway.

Details on how to become a market stall holder can be found at – www.drm.market

Transformation of historic butter factory begins

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Work has started on the $16.1 million transformation of Logan’s historic Kingston Butter Factory (KBF).

Today’s highly-anticipated milestone event marking the commencement of construction was attended by Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe, Shannon Fentiman MP, Logan Mayor Darren Power and councillors.

Council is redeveloping the KBF Precinct and its grounds into a vibrant cultural heritage and performing arts hub in the heart of Logan.

The interior of the iconic Kingston Butter Factory building is also being re-imagined.

Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the venue, when finished, would be a significant addition to South-East Queensland’s tourism infrastructure.

“Having such a large outdoor space that can attract major events and festivals will bring massive economic benefits to Logan,” Councillor Power said.

“It will be a space the whole community can enjoy, where they can access world-class arts, culture, festivals and events.”

City Lifestyle Committee Chairperson, Councillor Laurie Koranski said community feedback had endorsed Council’s decision to redevelop the building into a cultural heritage and performing arts hub.

“Results of a community survey in November last year overwhelmingly supported Council’s proposal for KBF,” Cr Koranski said.

“The KBF Cultural Precinct will be a place where people will come together in ways that connect, entertain and inspire.”

Cr Power welcomed recent funding of $6.57 million from the State Government’s COVID Works Queensland program towards the project.

“Infrastructure and jobs are critical for the community and our city in these challenging times,” he said.

“This is a great example of state and local government working together to deliver important social infrastructure for the community while creating jobs.

“We want to come out of this pandemic stronger than ever, and the best way to do that is to work together.”

Cr Power said Council would have the opportunity to redirect part of its original budget allocation of $12 million into other areas to be determined by Council.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Logan Mayor Darren Power and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman welcome the redevelopment of the Kingston Butter Factory.

Minister Hinchliffe said it was the first time Logan City Council has had access to the Works for Queensland program.

“The pandemic has landed a major blow on economies around the world, and that includes right here in Logan,” the Minister said.

“To that end, the redevelopment of the butter factory will support or create about 150 jobs and, once it’s up and running, even more with investment in restaurants and other small businesses in the area.”

Ms Fentiman, the Member for Waterford, said once completed the KBF Precinct would feature the city’s largest outdoor events space, with a purpose-built stage and room for audiences of up to 5000.

“The whole space is being transformed – it will feature a blackbox-style theatre, rehearsal space and a living museum to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Logan, a community that I’m so proud to be a part of,” she said.

“This project is going to be a game-changer for local artists and I’m excited to see it transform into an arts and entertainment hub for the Logan community.”

The project will be delivered by Box & Co builders and work is expected to be completed by February next year.