Category Archives: Business

Council fibre network set to improve internet connectivity on Redlands Coast


August 21, 2020

A Redland City Council plan to install a fast internet fibre network is set to unlock connectivity for businesses across Redlands Coast.

Mayor Karen Williams said the new Council-owned fibre network would provide significant savings for Council’s own existing operating costs, while also offering capacity to improve services for local businesses.

“The decision to install a fibre network follows several years of Council investigations, engaging with NBN Co and a number of industry telecommunications providers to investigate the best way to deliver high-speed broadband services to Redlands Coast businesses,” Cr Williams said.

“NBN Co has rolled out on Redlands Coast for residences, but it has limited business-grade services available.

“Council’s plan is focused on providing better connectivity across Council buildings, with spare fibre able to then be accessed to nearby businesses, delivering significant economic opportunity.”

Cr Williams said that as part of the investigations, Council had also reviewed the connectivity of its own offices and installations.

“Currently Council spends more than $200,000 on a complex network of fibre, microwave, wireless, 4G broadband, point-to-point Wi-Fi, radio (VHF/UHF) and fixed-line DSL services,” Cr Williams said.

“In addition to being costly, this technology also provides varying degrees of service, prompting Council to look for ways to improve our connectivity as well as supporting our businesses.”

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the project had been made possible through the Palaszczuk Government’s Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package, which provided $50 million to 12 south-east Queensland Councils, in addition to $50 million from the 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland program.

“The pandemic has delivered a severe blow to economies around the world, including right here in Queensland,” he said.

“However, Queensland’s plan for economic recovery is being rolled out right now and that includes this package, which delivered $2 million to this Council, tipped to support or create more than 40 jobs.

“The Council also received more than $2.8 million through the COVID Works for Queensland program, which is supporting or creating almost 35 jobs.

“This is an economic injection into the region of almost $5 million, which will make a big difference to financial security for families and workforces.”

Cr Williams said stage 1 of Council’s plan would connect Council’s administration building in Cleveland to its South Street Depot, before continuing on to the IndigiScapes centre in Alexandra Hills via Council’s animal shelter, providing opportunities to nearby businesses.

“Work on this first stage is expected to begin early in the new year, with Council also planning future routes to connect to Capalaba and Victoria Point,” Cr Williams said.

“In addition to saving Council $900,000 over the 20-year life of the infrastructure, this fibre could also deliver an economic return to Council with the spare fibre to be available to businesses through telecommunications carriers.

“A fibre network offers a number of key economic and community benefits to our city, including enhanced connectivity for our schools, hospital and other vital community infrastructure.

“The new fibre network will provide high bandwidth and additional connectivity capacity for Redlands Coast and create a higher likelihood of an accelerated 5G rollout.”

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Council supports Covid-19 urban planning flexibility – not unintended legacies.


August 5, 2020

Redland City Council will not opt into state government Covid-19 planning regulation changes, for now, saying the Redland City Plan already aligns well with the majority of proposed changes.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council fully supports the need to facilitate flexible support for businesses, jobs and economic growth in response to impacts of Covid-19.

“Responses to Covid-19 need to help support business innovation, improved processes and help them to adapt and invest for long term futures.

“Good planning will facilitate this, and the Redland City Plan already aligns well the majority of changes proposed by the State.

“Where it doesn’t, it has been a deliberate decision to encourage appropriate planning uses and outcomes.

“Some of the Covid-19 planning concessions proposed by the State may well result in permanent unintended planning outcomes for the city,” Cr Karen Williams said.

“Examples include allowing specific non-industrial uses to establish in existing tenancies in industrial zones without the need for planning approval or expanding gross floor area of specific existing uses by up to 10 per cent or 100m2.

“Expanding floor areas without assessing the impacts may end up permanently reducing the number of parking spaces provided, thus affecting adjoining businesses, or impact site landscaping. 

“Proposed changes in uses allowed in an industrial zone that do not need to locate in these areas, will reduce suitable land set aside for future industry.

“Councils submission to the State will acknowledge minor and helpful changes while calling for more detail on some parts of the proposed changes.

“Council has received positive responses to date to its COVID-19 Business Support Grant and Innovation grants for Redlands Coast businesses. 

 “We will continue to work closely with business and new investors to the Redlands Coast to make sure there are no unnecessary impediments, including through city planning.

 

 

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Council poll on Redlands Coast Ekka Show day


May 22, 2020

Now is the time to vote on your next long weekend, with Redland City Council running an online poll to help decide what date Council should ask the State Government to gazette as the Redlands Coast 2020 Ekka public holiday.

The move follows State Government approval for Brisbane City Council to move their Wednesday People’s day holiday to Friday 14 August, and invite other south-east Queensland regions to examine their options.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council was asking residents and businesses if they would prefer to keep its holiday on Monday 10 August or move it to the same Friday as Brisbane.

“People can head to our Facebook page or website and vote for their preferred public holiday – do they want to stay with our traditional Monday off or move to join Brisbane residents in having Friday off for the first time,” Cr Williams said.

“We’re in the fortunate position that either way we have a long weekend, but the decision is one we need to consider carefully as there will be flow-on effects for tourism and local businesses, as well as families with members working in different Council areas.

“As with Brisbane, the change will be a one-off, but we want to give our residents a chance to voice a preference.”

Mayor Karen Williams said whatever the outcome, the change of the Brisbane City Public Holiday would provide an opportunity for local businesses to leverage the tourism opportunities.

“With the change to Brisbane’s public holiday we’ll be encouraging people from around south-east Queensland region to swap show bags for a long weekend enjoying the little adventures and hidden treasures of Redlands Coast.”

“While the economic possibilities are important, so too is the health and safety of residents and visitors so I’d also ask that anyone looking to visit Redlands Coast over the Ekka holiday remembers to practise social distancing and remember that COVID-19 remains a risk, particularly for our vulnerable communities.

To have your say, head to Redland City Council Facebook or yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

🎪 #RedlandsCoast Ekka Public Holiday – Vote now! This year, the State Government has moved Brisbane’s Ekka public…

Posted by Redland City Council on Thursday, 21 May 2020

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Post-COVID recovery discussion during economic round table


May 22, 2020

Laying the foundations for a local post-COVID economy was a key point of discussion during a meeting of the Redlands Coast Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) this week.

EDAB Chair Sam Kennedy said this week’s round table discussions showed a large amount of work had already been done to lay the foundations for how the Redlands economy could rebound from the current pandemic.

“The meeting was a real eye-opener and shows the importance of collaboration in responding to the current economic challenges being faced through the COVID pandemic,” Ms Kennedy said.

“It is clear Council has already done a great deal of work on the city’s social and economic response and on behalf of the Board I congratulate them for moving so rapidly to respond.

“We heard about a number of success stories that have come out of Council’s $2 million stimulus package, including businesses that have used Council’s repurposed grants program to pivot and access professional services so they can continue serving the community.

“The Board also built on that work with some exciting discussions including internet connectivity across the city and how we can use the current situation to keep Redlanders in the Redlands through better connectivity, delivering an economic boost to local businesses. 

“We also discussed some exciting projects that are taking shape and have the potential to be a real game changer for the city.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said having some of the nation’s leading economic minds focussed on the Redlands would ensure we were well placed to not only recover from COVID-19 but to grow the local economy beyond the current pandemic.

“We know recovering from the current situation will be a marathon not a sprint, so having the foundations and collaboration is going to be critical,” Cr Williams said.

“The Board this week was able to provide decades of economic experience and suggest a number of key partners who can support Council in helping our initiatives and projects become a reality, ultimately delivering benefits for the broader community.

“This week’s EDAB meeting follows a round table I hosted with local shopping centres recently and a second meeting I convened to discuss how to ensure any projects built in our city deliver jobs for locals.

“It is critical this work gets done now so the plans are in place and ready for when restrictions are lifted so our local economy can benefit.”

Details of Council’s COVID-19 Support for businesses and the community are available at redland.qld.gov.au/info/20166/support

 

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Mayor welcomes State Government funding changes


May 19, 2020

After years of lobbying, the State Government has today agreed to extend the successful Works for Queensland grants program as a one off to the Redlands and other South East Queensland councils.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams welcomed the news, which comes on the back of continual advocacy to the State Government.

“Today’s announcement is exciting and opens the door for increased State Government funding for Redlands Coast in recognition of our regional and remote challenges,” Cr Williams said.

“I know the Redlands has unique challenges, including islands with twice the State average of unemployment and ageing communities, in addition to connectivity challenges due to their remoteness.

“These challenges are why I have been lobbying consistently for additional State Government funding to provide our community with the same funding opportunities as regional areas with lower unemployment.

“This announcement also follows a resolution I put to last year’s Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) conference asking the State Government to develop a similar grant allocation for South East Queensland.

“This one off funding is being made available to help Councils recover from the COVID pandemic, which is very welcome and I thank the State Government for this commitment.”

Cr Williams said she had met with and written to the Minister requesting this funding and also recently joined with State Member for the Redlands Kim Richards on a petition to State parliament calling for the funding.

“Finally the unique challenges of our community are receiving the recognition they deserve and on behalf of the community I thank the Premier, Minister and Ms Richards.

“This funding is the beginning of the journey and I will continue to speak with all levels of government to ensure our local challenges are recognised through long term and consistent funding,” Cr Williams said.

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EOI date extended for Macleay Island industrial land development opportunity


May 15, 2020

Redland City Council has extended the deadline for Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions regarding industrial development opportunities on Macleay Island.

Mayor Karen Williams said the extension was granted to compensate for the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Developers interested in the overall development (including purchase or lease) of the Council owned land at 20-24 Kate Street now have until Friday 29 May 2020 to make a submission,” she said.

“The Macleay Island land – of approximately 6500m2 – is zoned for low impact industrial use.

“Currently used by Council as a works stockpile site, the available land has been identified as surplus to operational needs and is considered the most suitable island location for low impact industry offering both good access and appropriate buffers from other island properties.”

The EOI followed a Notice of Motion from Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards in recognition of the need for more industrial land to support the island economy.

“Macleay Island has experienced strong population growth in recent years with some of Australia’s best value coastal land located within the major population centre of South East Queensland,” Cr Edwards said.

“The long-term calls for more opportunity to develop light industry options for the island’s economy has helped drive Council’s decision to offer the site for low impact industry use.”

Council has appointed Ray White Commercial Bayside to manage the Expression of Interest on behalf of Council.

EOI documentation is available by contacting the agency on 07 3245 7199 or email to baysidecommercial.qld@raywhite.com.

Project background information is also located on the Your Say Redlands Coast website yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/macleay-island-development-industrial-land

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Council’s grants program to address COVID-19 crisis


April 28, 2020

Redland City Council has released a $370,000 grants package to support local community organisations and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mayor Karen Williams said the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Grants Program followed a Council decision to repurpose existing grants within this year’s remaining budget to help meet some of the financial challenges arising for community groups and businesses from COVID-19.

“This grants program is all about getting our local businesses and community groups the help they need to continue serving the community,” Cr Williams said.

“The first stream is aimed at providing support to community organisations that are assisting people directly impacted by the crisis.

“These organisations are eligible for grants of up to $10,000 to support their efforts.

“We are aware that many community members are doing it tough at the moment, whether it be through job loss, isolation, homelessness or other COVID-19 impacts, and we are pleased to be able to back community organisations that are supporting these people.”

Cr Williams said the second stream would support local businesses in critical need of support due to the impact of COVID-19 with grants of up to $1000 per business for professional advice.

“There are a number of stimulus measures available for businesses, but we know the information can be confusing and when you are financially and emotionally stressed it can be even more difficult to know what you are and aren’t eligible for,” she said.

“This funding will help businesses get the professional advice they need to access the right funding and support for their individual business.”

Cr Williams said Council would also provide $80,000 to help businesses innovate during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Businesses will be able to apply for funding to the value of $5000 to help them find new ways to deliver their business to the community,” she said.

“This may include the use of technology, research and design or innovative products, services, projects or collaborations.”

Cr Williams said Council was fielding many calls from business owners seeking advice on how to deal with the varied impacts of the unprecedented business environment.

“These business grants will support impacted local businesses to get the targeted professional advice they need,” she said.

“They will also support businesses employing innovative ways to pivot their products and services to capture new opportunities.”

For more information, visit Council’s website or contact Council on 3829 8999.

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Macleay Island industrial land development opportunity open for EOI


March 23, 2020

A formal Expression of Interest (EOI) process has opened to test the market for low impact industry development opportunities on Macleay Island land currently owned by Redland City Council.

The EOI, opened on 11 March, is inviting written submissions by 8 May 2020 from developers interested in the overall development (including purchase or lease) of approximately 6500m2 of land at 20-24 Kate Street, Macleay Island.

Zoned in the Redland City Plan 2018 for Low Impact Industrial uses, the rare land use opportunity allows potential developers to present their proposals for the development and tenure of the developable part of the land.

Currently used by Council as a works stockpile site, the available land has been identified as surplus to operational needs and is considered the most suitable island location for low impact industry offering both good access and appropriate buffers from other island properties.

The Council initiated land development opportunity is designed to supply functional industrial land for Macleay Island and support the development of economic activity and new local business opportunities.

With 2,679 residents and 1,724 properties at the 2016 census, Macleay Island is the second-largest of the four Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI).

Like its neighbours, the island has experienced strong population growth in recent years with some of Australia’s best value coastal land located near to the major population centre of South East Queensland.

The long-term calls for more opportunity to develop light industry options for the island’s economy has helped drive Council’s decision to offer the site for low impact industry use.

In evaluating EOI submissions, Council will consider the perceived benefits the development proposals will offer in terms of the ability to meet the short term industrial needs of the Island and financial viability to Council.

The EOI evaluation process may also shortlist preferred development partner applications for future submission of Tenders under the provisions s228 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

Council has appointed Ray White Commercial Bayside to manage the Expression of Interest on behalf of Council.

EOI documentation is available by contacting the agency on 07 3245 7199 or email to baysidecommercial.qld@raywhite.com.

Project background information is also located on the Your Say Redlands Coast website.

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Council agrees next step in plans to revitalise the Capalaba Town Centre


March 6, 2020

Redland City Council has announced that Shayher Group is the preferred expression of interest (EOI) proponent for the revitalisation of the Capalaba Town Centre.

The next step in developing the Capalaba CBD proposal is for Redland Investment Corporation (RIC), Council and the proponent to progress concept details and expectations before a future decision and agreement by the next Council.

Shayher Group has extensive national experience delivering quality mixed-use developments. Examples include the W Hotel in the Brisbane Quarter precinct, the former CSIRO site in Indooroopilly and former Government landholdings in Northshore Hamilton.

The Capalaba Centre Master Plan, adopted by Council in 2010, identified key areas of need at Capalaba including an active town square, a need to improve pedestrian movement, and repositioning Capalaba and activating it as a primary employment, transit and mixed-use development centre with an after-hours economy.

In 2019 Council engaged RIC to implement a crucial part of Council’s Master Plan and vision for a vibrant Town Centre acting as the heart of Capalaba.

The project will incorporate a new library and community centre.

Once the draft Capalaba Town Centre master plan has been finalised, community engagement will be conducted to ensure all Redlands Coast community members, business and stakeholder groups have opportunity to view the proposals and provide their feedback.

The next step of the process is for a detailed design to be developed that matches the Council planning scheme and for commercial agreements to be negotiated.

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Redland City Council to sponsor major business expo


February 21, 2020

Redland City Council will sponsor a major business expo in April to provide free advice and opportunities to local enterprises.

The 2020 Redlands Coast Business Expo will be run by Small Business Expos at Sheldon College on Thursday 16 April.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams encouraged local businesses to get behind the free event.

“Small Business Expos has a proven track record of helping boost businesses through providing access to new skills and established know-how while opening the door to lucrative relationships,” Cr Williams said.

“This expo, which ties in closely with Council’s economic strategy, will be a great opportunity for local business operators to connect and market their products and services to hundreds of other business owners.

“It is being backed by a host of local business industry groups and sponsors and is set to be the biggest business-to-business marketplace ever held in our region.”

In a first, the expo will cover the Redlands Coast, Logan and northern Gold Coast regions.

“This expo has been held successfully in Logan for the last three years and to get it to Redlands Coast, where it will cover a greatly expanded region, is a golden opportunity for our local business community,” Cr Williams said.

“Council has been very active in helping local businesses to thrive through organising workshops, providing access to information on export opportunities and training, supporting research and development, attracting investment and this expo, but it is up to business owners to take advantage them.”

DETAILS
When: 10am-4pm Thursday 16 April 2020.
Where: Sheldon College Events Centre, Taylor Road, Sheldon.
Cost: Attendance is free but there is a cost to exhibit.
Register: redlandscoastbusinessexpo.eventbrite.com.au

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