Monthly Archives: February 2015

Council calling for young voices on youth strategy


February 23, 2015

Redland City Council is calling on young people to have their say in the development of the Redlands Youth Strategy during February.

The strategy will guide the way Council works with young people in the City in the future and the projects it supports and develops.

Redland City Council’s community services spokesperson Cr Lance Hewlett said that there were lots of ways for young people to get involved and even win a prize for their efforts.

“Having a voice in this process isn’t hard or time-consuming, you don’t have to write a formal submission and can express your thoughts in a number of ways,” Cr Hewlett said.

“It’s so easy to have a say through online surveys on our website, vox-pop interviews, focus groups, photography projects and more.

“For our Places and Spaces project, people aged 12 – 24 years can upload a photo of a place that’s important to them in Redlands on our Redlands Youth facebook page (www.facebook.com/RedlandsYouth), and win some great prizes such as movie passes and headphones.

“Young people can also find the link to our online survey through the facebook page or Council’s website. If they complete the survey and also like Redland City Youth – Qld on Facebook they too go in the draw for some great prizes.

“We want our young people to speak up, make a difference and help us to ensure we offer the best possible support to our community.”

For more information on the Redland Youth Strategy, visit Council’s website at http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/CommunitySupport/YoungPeople or speak to our Youth and Community Development Officer on 3829 8233.

Birkdale Landfill rehabilitation works begin


February 23, 2015

Redland City Council has begun a $7 million project to rehabilitate the Birkdale Landfill site, including improving access to the facility for users.

Council’s waste infrastructure spokesperson Cr Paul Gleeson said the works would see closed landfill cells rehabilitated and re-vegetated, as well as the construction of a new gate bypass lane.

“Since 2011 general waste has been transferred to sites in Brisbane City, no longer going into landfill cells at Birkdale,” Cr Gleeson said.

“This has given us the opportunity to plan, and now carry out, specific remediation works to reduce the environmental impacts of the old landfill.

“This 12-18 month project, required by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, will see areas being capped and re-vegetated with grass cover to improve water and stormwater quality.

“These works will also limit greenhouse gas emissions that occur as waste breaks down by capturing and using the gases to generate electricity.

“To improve site efficiency, a new gate bypass lane will be constructed, making a great difference to people wanting to access the greenwaste disposal area in peak periods.

“There may be some delays at Birkdale Waste Transfer Station, particularly once the works reach the northern area of the site around July, but Council is working hard to ensure effects on residents are minimised.

“We will continue to keep the community updated during the landfill works and give advance advice if we expect any significant changes to site operations or access.

“We appreciate our residents’ patience during works as the short-term disruptions will be far outweighed by the significant and ongoing environmental benefits that will come from this site being properly remediated.”

Redlands-based civil and mining construction business Earthpro Pty Ltd, have been contracted to undertake the work, which will mainly be scheduled for weekdays, with no site works to take place on Sundays or public holidays.

Those visiting Birkdale Waste Transfer Station are asked to follow directions from site staff and obey traffic control measures to ensure the safety of all users and staff. Residents can also stay up to date with the progress of the works by visiting Council’s website.

NSI meetings address economic and community issues


February 22, 2015

Regular Township meetings hosted by the Mayor; and the inaugural meeting of the North Stradbroke Island (NSI) Economic Transition Group, are some of the regular engagements held with North Stradbroke Islanders as part of efforts to build a strong future for the island which remains the jewel in the Redlands tourism attractions.

An inaugural meeting of the North Stradbroke Island (NSI) Economic Transition Group was held in December to chart the island’s transition from sand mining to an alternative economy,

The group comprises state and council elected representatives, community and business leaders, academics and government department representatives who will work towards the common goal of a sustainable future for the island and its people as mining is wound back.

The NSI Economic Transition Group is Co-Chaired by Redland City Mayor Karen Williams and Member for Cleveland Mark Robinson MP and will meet at least quarterly meetings.

The group has started work on a consultation plan, reviewing the work of the 2011 Economic Transition Taskforce and establishment of a website provide up-to-date information on the economic transition items.

Proposed City Plan sent for Ministerial sign-off


February 22, 2015

Redland City Council has submitted an amended draft Redland City Plan to the Queensland Government that addresses matters raised through a state interest review.

The details of the new City Plan review remain confidential until Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, the Hon Jackie Trad, agrees to its public release for consultation.

A key principle underlying the work done to date on the City Plan has been to reduce the complexity of the planning scheme and make it easier to understand and more user-friendly.

If approved by the Minister, the next step for the plan will be widely advertised public consultation including community forums, online information and activities, library displays, mail-outs to all residents, fact sheets, meet the planner sessions and meetings with key groups.

The public consultation on the City Plan and all residents are encouraged to have their say at that time.”

Providing a blueprint for the future development of the city over the next decade the plan will enable the city to manage and take advantage of economic and growth opportunities, while maintaining the distinctive character and lifestyle that makes us one of the most ecologically sustainable cities in Australia and a great place to live,” she said.

New Trade College for Redland City


February 22, 2015

Redland City students and businesses are the big winners with the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) announcing the Redlands as the location for its new education facility.

The college will provide local students in years 11 and 12 with access to quality trade training and senior education that is proven to increase future employment opportunities.

The decision comes after both Mayor Karen Williams and Councillor Paul Bishop lobbied for the college to locate in the Redlands.

The AITC implements a unique curriculum which allows students to complete their Queensland Certificate of Education while training full time as an Australian school-based apprentice in the real world of industry, producing skilled employees who will ultimately benefit local businesses.

The results speak for themselves, with 98 per cent of AITC students completing their Queensland Certificate of Education and 93 per cent graduating with a full-time apprenticeship through their AITC education.”22

The Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) decision will provide local businesses with access to ‘work-ready’ apprentices and trainees with quality education providing the foundations for a strong economy and an innovative business sector.

Queensland TAFE also recently committed to its ongoing presence in the Redlands.

Free business breakfast a great mentoring opportunity


February 22, 2015

Businesses in the Logan Redlands region are being invited to a free breakfast on 21 April that encourages businesses to take advantage of free business mentoring opportunities to help them grow.

Caught up in the day to day demands of a running a small business it’s often hard for businesses owners and managers to see their business in perspective.

That’s why the opportunity for a free mentoring perspective from a pool of 120 or more highly experienced business and marketing executives is such a unique and valuable business opportunity.

Initiated by the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business (DTESB) the free Mentoring for Growth (M4G) Information Breakfast on 21 April, is an exceptionally valuable program designed to assist businesses to identify and maximise growth opportunities .

Special guest mentors at the breakfast include the CEO of Prodigy John Kochanski and Roger Mychajlyk a corporate professional with proven background in understanding and managing change and growth.

Businesses interested in mentoring opportunities will have the opportunity to learn more about the program and go on to register for individual mentoring sessions from a panel of experienced business mentors.

Date: Tuesday 21 April, 2015
Time: 7am-9am
Venue: Fitzy’s Function Centre, Cnr Bryants Road and Pacific Hwy, Loganholme
Cost: FREE (breakfast included)
Contact: Linda Cunningham, linda.cunningham@dsdip.qld.gov.au, 07 5644 3205

Social media and investment workshops free for business


February 22, 2015

Redland City Council’s popular series of business workshops have already begun this year with workshops designed to give busy local business owners easy, free access to new skills and knowledge to improve their business operations.

The free business workshops for 2015 are targeted at addressing current business issues and trends.

This includes digital marketing (held in February), social media, tips for starting a new business, attracting investment and how to network.

Most workshops are also run outside standard business hours so people who work during the day can attend.

Council sponsored workshops over coming months include:

Bookings are essential for all workshops as numbers are limited. For workshop details and how to book visit our website or call 3829 8507.

Economic Development Framework adopted


February 22, 2015

As part of ongoing planning for the city’s future, Council has recently adopted an Economic Development Framework to help chart a course for the city over the next 25 years.

The framework is intended to deliver real and achievable outcomes through action plans designed and delivered by business leaders.

Council’s Open for Business approach already successfully encourages investment, capacity building and reduced barriers to new and growing business.

Working directly with business and industry representatives, the Economic Development Framework will aim to leverage the Redlands’ enviable lifestyle, location and existing industry sectors base.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has said the best people to drive business growth in the Redlands are the business owners themselves.

Helping to achieve this will be the Framework recommendation for the establishment of an Economic Development Advisory Board.

The Board will include representatives from construction, education and training, professional services, healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, retail, rural and tourism industries identified as key growth sectors for the Redlands.

The framework argues for business investment, industry value adding and opportunities for regional exports from the Redlands, pointing out the city is ideally situated on the door-step of Australia’s third largest city with easy access to a major port and international airport.

Building on strong partnerships the framework estimates will help contribute to the achievement of targets for an extra 30,000 to 40,000 new jobs and an increase in the city’s gross regional product to between $6.8 billion and $8 billion by 2041.

New business advisory services for Redland City


February 22, 2015

Career Employment Australia Incorporated (CEA Group) is gearing up to extend business support services to Redland small businesses under the auspices of Brisbane Metro Business Enterprise Centre.

Career Employment Australia Incorporated has been announced by the Federal Government as the successful contractor to provide the Commonwealth’s Australian Small Business Advisory Services program across the Brisbane region beginning in March 2015.

The five key areas of the federally funded Australian Small Business Advisory Services include;

  • Funding avenues and financial analysis;
  • Building your business;
  • Making the most of your talent and team;
  • Management capabilities; and
  • Digital engagement implementation.

The new service delivery to the Redlands will work in tandem with business support services already run by Redland City Council.

This includes Council’s one-on-one Open for Business support to help local business connect with the right area of Council and cut through red tape and Council organised business workshops.

Recognised as a stable community service organisation with strong governance, CEA has been operating for 20 years in the Redlands working across a number of areas, including the delivery of employment services such as the National New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS).

CEA’s Business Development – Projects Manager, Alice Langford grew up in the Redlands and has worked with a range of Redlands business and community groups, including work with North Stradbroke and Bay Island communities and small business projects like the inaugural Redlands Retail awards.

Birkdale Landfill remediation


February 22, 2015

Council has recently begun a $7 million upgrade of the Birkdale landfill and waste transfer station. The works will see closed landfill cells rehabilitated and re-vegetated, as well as the construction of a new gate-house bypass lane.

The Birkdale Waste Transfer Station will remain open, however users may experience delays at times, particularly when construction material is being delivered to the site. For tips on minimising delays when you visit, or to keep up-to-date on this project, visit our Birkdale Landfill rehabilitation project page.