Category Archives: Business

Council urges residents to shop local this Christmas

November 25, 2021

Redland City Council is encouraging residents to buy local this Christmas through a festive ‘Making Business Bright’ campaign.

Mayor Karen Williams said buying local would provide a much-needed boost for businesses who had experienced another challenging year due to COVID-19.

“With so many fabulous businesses on Redlands Coast it is very easy to support our locals,” she said.

“It will do much to help ensure a bright start to 2022 for our community by supporting local employment and the economy.

“Our retailers offer great value and exceptional service to shoppers, and not just with a wide range of traditional gift ideas.

“This festive season is also the perfect opportunity to support our tourism operators by giving the gift of travel, which will showcase our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast.

“There are plenty of choices for a special gift which will create long-lasting memories as our backyard encompasses everything from bushland, bay and islands.

“I encourage everyone to buy local wherever possible this festive season and help make Christmas brighter for our businesses.”

Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young welcomed the campaign as she said local businesses are still feeling the effects of COVID, particularly in the tourism, retail and hospitality sectors.

“While masks are now not required and the per sqm rule has eased, businesses will be expected to implement the proposed no jab no entry State Government directive from 17 December,” Ms Young said.

“This puts additional strain on them with staffing and a lack of confidence for people to get out and about at a time that businesses really rely on holiday trade.

“I would encourage all locals to book their Christmas parties locally, buy Christmas gifts locally and think about how you can give a gift in a different way like a gift voucher to a local beauty salon or to experience one of our local restaurants.

“Consumers may opt to shop online rather than getting out into our local economy, but you can still choose local as many of our businesses have adapted in a COVID economy and updated their websites to include a virtual store.

“Keeping our money here helps our small businesses grow, meaning more job opportunities so we can all live, work and play here on Redlands Coast.”

Redlands Coast businesses connect with New Zealand

November 24, 2021

Stronger trade connections and new opportunities between Redlands Coast businesses and the New Zealand market were explored at a recent Redland City Council-organised business event.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams addresses participants at the Business Breakfast: Redlands Coast & New Zealand event.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the Business Breakfast: Redlands Coast & New Zealand event held in partnership with Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ) on 18 November, presented the opportunities available and the ways to leverage and connect NZ and Redlands Coast trade and investment.

“This event was about identifying these opportunities and discuss a way forward for the strengthening of these ties in the coming year,” Cr Williams said.

“Having a strong bilateral trade and investment connection is a great way to form strategic trans-Tasman ties.

“Immediate opportunities for enhanced ties between Redlands and New Zealand could be in health care, maritime industries, food, ag-tech and emerging technology industries.”

Cr Williams said the event was one of several ways that Council supported local businesses including the highly successful Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo earlier this month.

“Council is coordinating our approach across the levels of government to provide seamless support for business in making the most of NZ trade and investment,” she said.

“In this way businesses can get access to resources they need regardless of their initial point of contact.

“This event was the start of Council working collaboratively with industry and government to explore trade and investment opportunities with a range of global markets.

“Many businesses just aren’t aware of the fantastic resources available to them in these endeavours. They can reach out to Council for personalised consultations so they can get the support they need to expand and grow their business.”

Participants at the Business Breakfast: Redlands Coast & New Zealand event held in Alexandra Hills.

Cr Williams said the event attracted representatives from a broad range of industries including food production, renewable energy, ag-tech, retailers, manufacturers and creative industries, including local and Indigenous-owned businesses. Key organisations represented included Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ), Export and Council of Australia and Trade & Investment Queensland.

Information sessions offer cyber security advice

November 22, 2021

Information sessions on how to protect yourself or your business from online security threats will be held in Redlands Coast this month(November).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the cyber security information sessions at the Redland Performing Arts Centre on 29 November would be tailored to suit two areas of the community.

“The morning session will highlight the cyber threats facing individuals and older Redlands Coast residents, as well as offering tips on how to protect yourself online,” Cr Williams said.

“While the next session will be aimed at small and medium businesses and will explain how they can protect themselves from the most common cyber security threats.

“These events are part of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Small and Medium Enterprise Week and are run by the ACSC and proudly supported by Redland City Council.

“So much of what we do today is online. We rely on online systems to run our businesses and our lives.

“Criminals are always coming up with new ways to sneak into our systems and disrupt your business.

“The ACSC is the Australian Government’s lead operational agency for national cyber security. It provides free cyber security advice and support to Australian individuals, businesses, and organisations which can enhance your awareness and protect you online.”

For more information on the sessions, go to Council’s What’s On calendar.

CYBER THREATS – What you need to know right now

When: 10-11am, Monday 29 November

Where: Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland

Tickets: Available through Eventbrite

CYBER THREATS – Cyber Aware: It’s your business to care

When: noon-1pm, Monday 29 November,

Where: Redlands Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland

Tickets: Available through Eventbrite

Mayor urges transport and liveability action in time for 2032

November 5, 2021

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has today thrown her support behind a region-wide effort to force urgent action on key transport and liveability projects in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams at the launch of the Let’s Get Moving! campaign today.

South East Queensland’s Mayors launched the Let’s Get Moving! campaign in Brisbane today, to draw attention to the fact that there was only a small window of time to begin major projects and have them completed in time for the Games.

Cr Williams said the Let’s Get Moving! campaign would highlight the pressing need to get started on many of the projects needed to host a world-class sporting event.

“The Council of Mayors started the bidding process for the 2032 Games to put a clear deadline on building the roads, bridges and rail our region will need for the next 20 years and beyond,” Cr Williams said.

“We need to invest in projects that protect and improve our way of life – not because of the Games but in time for the Games.

“But we don’t have a lot of time. Major road and transport projects can take a decade or more to plan and build, so we need to get moving to ensure we put our best face forward to the world in 2032.”

Cr Williams said delivering the elements needed for a good Games experience would require all levels of government, with the SEQ City Deal offering the opportunity for that collaboration.

“The Foundation City Deal currently on the table is a good starting point for us to begin work on those regionally important projects. There are certainly more projects that we would like included, but the SEQ

City Deal is a starting point for all three levels of government to work together,” Cr Williams said.

“Along with all my COMSEQ colleagues, I urge all levels of Government to sign up to the deal; we are out of time for talking. It’s time to start the hard work. Let’s Get Moving!”

COMSEQ Chair, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, said the Let’s Get Moving! campaign would highlight the pressing need to get started on planning the world’s greatest sporting event.

Mayor Karen Williams (third from right) with the other CoMSEQ mayors at the launch of the Let’s Get Moving!

“The mayors of South East Queensland put our state on this journey to hosting 2032 Games because they recognised it was a unique opportunity to get all levels of government working together to deliver for our region,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Now the Games are locked in, we need to start developing a detailed plan on what investment and infrastructure we will need to ensure the Games deliver an economic and social dividend for all residents.

“That’s what our Let’s Get Moving campaign is all about, starting the conversation about what’s required to not only deliver the best ever Games but what’s needed to ensure we protect our region’s incredible lifestyle.

“Things like cleaning up our river and waterways, creating new greenspace and delivering better transport connections between venues can be achieved so they deliver benefits before, during and after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games.”

Redlands Coast hosts major business and jobs expo

November 4, 2021

Redlands Coast businesses were privy to a wealth of information at this year’s Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo held at Alexandra Hills today.

Redland City Council is a sponsor of the annual expo and Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said it was aimed at fostering employment opportunities and helping businesses thrive.

Cr Williams said the expo, at which she was a guest speaker, had been a valuable networking event for local businesses.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams with Bank of Queensland Cleveland branch owner-manager Brett Smith and lending specialist Taylah Smith at the 2021 Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo.

“Expos and business-to-business marketplaces such as today’s are not only a fantastic opportunity for learning about what’s new and equipping operators with the latest business tools – they also present an opportunity for businesses to network; to tap into each other’s knowledge and advice,” she said.

Cr Williams said the expo, organised by The Small Business Expos and held at the Alexandra Hills Hotel and Convention Centre, offered specialised workshops, while allowing business operators to engage with job-related and training businesses and learn more about export opportunities, research and development and how to attract investment.

“Redlands Coast’s population is expanding and along with that comes business opportunities. But importantly, these opportunities are long-term,” Cr Williams said.

“There are a swathe of intergenerational projects that are confirmed for the city – such as the 3000-lot Shoreline development at Redland Bay; the Toondah Harbour project; Birkdale Community Precinct; and Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct at Mount Cotton, to name a few – and they make for sustainability of business growth.

“There is a very bright future ahead for Redlands Coast.”

Cr Williams said Council was also supporting local businesses through other workshops and forums which includes hosting a business breakfast in partnership with Trade & Investment Queensland on 18 November with the focus on the New Zealand export market.

Sandbagging stations open

October 14, 2021

Redland City Council sandbagging stations are open today and tomorrow at the following locations:

Council Depot Cleveland – 199-205 South St, Cleveland – Click here for directions
Council staff and SES will be onsite to assist. Sand, bags and shovels will be supplied.

Open today, Thursday 14 October: 12 noon until 6pm

Open tomorrow, Friday 15 October: 7am to 2pm

24-hour self-service sandbagging stations are located at:

Council Depot Dunwich – 11-37 Mitchell Cres, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island – Click here for directions
Outside the Redland City Council Depot, 11-37 Mitchell Crescent, Dunwich –
Sand and bags supplied. Please take your own shovel.

Council Depot Russell Island – 6 Cambridge Rd, Russell Island – Click here for directions
Outside the Council Depot on Cambridge Road. Sand and bags supplied. Please take your own shovel.

Council Depot Macleay Island – 22-24 Scarborough Rd, Macleay Island – Click here for directions
Outside the Council Depot on Scarborough Terrace. Sand and bags supplied. Please take your own shovel.

Please note: enclosed shoes must be worn.

Need assistance?

Call the SES on 132 500 to log a job, which will be prioritised and tasked. This will help ensure our most vulnerable in the community are addressed as a priority.

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if the situation is life-threatening.

Call Energex on 13 19 62 to report fallen powerlines. Remember to stay clear and warn others.

Call Council on 3829 8999 to report fallen branches on public spaces across the city.

Please mindful of conditions when outdoors; Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.

For the latest advice and emergency warnings:

Head to www.bom.gov.au
Tune in to 612ABC
Bay FM 100.3
Monitor Council’s Disaster Dashboard
Follow Redland City Council on Facebook and Twitter

Another round of Business Brews for industry networking

October 13, 2021

Redlands Coast manufacturing businesses are invited to this month’s Business Brews industry networking event.

Supported by Redland City Council and held at Bacchus Brewing in Capalaba, this is the sixth event in the series and will focus on Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said it was a great opportunity for local businesses to network and hear about the latest industry directions and training opportunities.

“Guest speaker for the event is TAFE Queensland Business Manager Kevin Roos who will talk about the growing industry need for CNC operators and the TAFE courses that relate to achieving qualifications in that area,” Cr Williams said.

“Council is proud to collaborate on these networking events as another way of adding to its commitment to supporting Redlands Coast industries and businesses.

“As well as sponsoring major business and jobs expos in the region, Council has provided stimulus funding to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Council is focused more on spending local as part of our corporate procurement policy, contract manual and strategic contracting plan and procedures adopted in July last year

“Wherever possible we will be using local businesses and suppliers to continue our support of the local economy and to keep people in jobs and create new employment opportunities.”

Business Brews event details

Time: Thursday, 28 October 2021, 4pm-6pm

Place: Bacchus Brewing, 1 / 2 Christine Place, Capalaba

Registration: Phone Redland City Council on (07) 3829 8999 or email rcc@redland.qld.gov.au and address your enquiry to the Economic Development Coordinator.

Temporary commercial use invited for select parks

October 11, 2021

To activate and enliven some of the city’s public spaces and create opportunities for local businesses, Redland City Council is now accepting Expressions of Interest for temporary commercial activities for a select group of Redlands Coast parks and open spaces.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council supported a range of such activities in selected parks, including:

personal fitness training and coaching program
mobile food and beverage vehicles
hire of recreation equipment (watercraft, bikes, scooters)
entertainment (busking, face painting, magicians, jumping castles, mobile animal petting and entertainers for small events and celebrations)
tourist-based activities (canoe and kayak tours)

“This is only for those parks selected where temporary commercial activities could be offered without impacting the amenity and safety of park users and neighbours,” Cr Williams said.

“Commercial vendors that complement nearby businesses by offering a different product or service are also preferred.”

“Temporary commercial activities are generally of a low-scale, and are restricted to a footprint of 30 sq m. Depending on the size and shape of the park, the number of commercial vendors is capped at between one and three.

“Activating our parks and public spaces in this way further enlivens them and creates vibrant, liveable communities as well as opportunities for local businesses.

“Vendors who want to operate in a park can now submit an Expression of Interest to Council. If short-listed, they will be invited to formally apply for approval and terms and conditions will apply.”

Information on how to lodge an EOI and for the list of the applicable parks and open spaces, go to: yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

Court of Appeal overturns Alexandra Hills service station development approval

October 7, 2021

Redland City Council has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal supporting their 2015 decision to refuse the King of Gifts’ development application for a service station and fast-food drive-thru restaurant at Alexandra Hills.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had opposed the application for the last six years, arguing it was in conflict with the planning scheme.

“This decision is a win for residents and for Council who has represented the community over many years in opposing this project because of its potential environmental and traffic impacts,” Cr Williams said.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, left, and Cr Rowanne McKenzie outside the land in question at 604-612 Redland Bay Rd, Alexandra Hills.

“This has been a long battle, which began with our original decision to refuse the application in 2015, arguing it had the potential to impact important environmental, open space and bushland areas near the site at 604-612 Redland Bay Road.”

“Over the last five years our original decision has been overturned twice by the Planning and Environment Court, but we never gave up fighting for the community and successfully appealed those decisions.”

Councillor for Division 7 Rowanne McKenzie said last week’s decision ended years of uncertainty for local residents.

“When I’m out speaking with local residents they regularly raise this application with me and so Council was determined to represent them in opposing it,” Cr McKenzie said.

“This latest court ruling is a win for the community and results in the applicant’s appeal to the Planning and environment Court being dismissed, ending years of uncertainty for local residents.

“As part of the Court ruling King of Gifts (Qld) Pty Ltd and HTC Consulting Pty Ltd have been ordered to pay Council’s appeal costs.”

Visit Redlands Coast for Brisbane Ekka long weekend

August 19, 2021

Naturally wonderful Redlands Coast will be welcoming visitors for the rescheduled Brisbane Ekka long weekend in October to tick off some top attractions on their local long-break bucket lists.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council would soon roll out a tourism campaign highlighting the great getaway ideas which were “just up the road yet a world away” on Redlands Coast.

“As Redlands Coast has already had its Ekka public holiday, everything will be open and welcoming visitors and locals for the Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim Ekka long weekend from Friday 29 October,” Cr Williams said.

“COVID is likely to present difficulties for longer-distance travel for some time, so we want to make sure the rest of South-East Queensland realise that just down the road on Redlands Coast there are some inspiring natural attractions from glamping and beach camping, bush retreats and activities to bayside and ocean adventures.”

The tourism campaign is part of a Mayoral Minute outlining Redland City Council’s ongoing financial and other support for pandemic-affected local businesses and community organisations and supported by Councillors at today’s General Meeting.

Cr Williams said local government continued to play a vital role in the COVID response.

“During this pandemic Council has responded immediately to help stop the spread of the virus, keep our communities safe and provide critical services to the residents of Redland City,” she said.

“We have spent millions of dollars and countless hours of effort to support the community, including allocating $1 million for a COVID recovery fund; establishing a targeted grants program for community organisations and sporting clubs; contributing grants funding of nearly $17.5 million awarded through State and Federal stimulus programs; and strengthening our Local Buy policy.

“My Mayoral Minute also noted the critical and changing role of Council in responding to COVID-19 and protecting our community. It also committed Council to continuing to remain agile in maintaining and delivering services and support for our community during this pandemic.”

Cr Williams said Council was working with local tourism operators and businesses to ensure exceptional COVID-safe experiences awaited local residents and visitors.

Straddie Chamber of Commerce president Col Battersby said it was imperative to do everything possible to promote Redlands Coast to visitors.

“Council and the city’s chambers of commerce work closely to promote the city and it pays off for tourism operators each time we embark on a campaign,” he said.

“So, if you are having the Ekka long weekend in October I encourage you to take a break on Redlands Coast, and in particular Straddie, that is on your doorstep. October is a wonderful time to come to Straddie and we look forward to welcoming you.”

Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young said local businesses were working hard to ensure they could attract visitors to the city and congratulated Council for supporting them through the Ekka long weekend tourism campaign.

“Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by lockdowns and any support that can be provided to encourage more people to come and spend here is welcomed.”

Find out more about Redlands Coast getaways by calling the Visitor Information Centre on 1300 667 386 or going to visitredlandscoast.com.au.

Redland City Council News

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