In the September 2013 issue:
Asia beckons
Driving development
Great potential
Development going digital
Free workshop ‘Know your I.T. Systems’
Information session with Graham Leishman
Asia beckons
Mayor’s trip to China – investment attraction
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Welcome to the September edition of Redland City Council’s Economic Development Newsletter.
I write this message from Asia where I am currently based as part of a mission to attract investment and business to Redland City.
I was one of eight South East Queensland Mayors who joined Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk on the mission to China and Taiwan, the highlight being the Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The Summit attracted more than 80 Mayors from around the region, as well as Taiwanese investors and businesspeople.
I told delegates we had great investment opportunities and were seeking investment for our two Priority Development Areas at Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek, in our CBD master plans for Cleveland and Capalaba.
The interest shown by delegates was very positive.
I travelled to Redlands’ sister city Qinhuangdao in China, where I met the new Mayor Shang Liguang and business, investment, tourism and education figures.
I told them Redland City wanted to strengthen relationships and highlighted our willingness to share our marine expertise in development slated for the seaside city.
Qinhuangdao is destination of choice for 20 million visitors a year – it is gaining a name as the summer capital of China.
During the visit I was able to meet with chiefs of the planning and education bureaus.
During my trip I have delivered presentations to more than 2000 international delegates, spoken separately with more than 40 key contacts and handed out more than 100 of our Open for Business and Investment prospectus documents, translated into Chinese.
I hope there will be many positive outcomes for our city from my trip but, like any strong relationship, it takes time and effort.
Already there has been interest in developing stronger educational and business relationships with the Redlands.
China and the Asia region is a burgeoning area of growth and development. There is much we can learn from each other.
Infrastructure and investment in our City, our State and our Country is much needed and desired to deliver the lifestyle and opportunities that people always talk to me about.
Read more about these opportunities here
To deliver on such requests in these times, without dramatically increasing the cost of living requires us to think outside the box, build partnerships and learn from others experiences.
Driving development
Major projects director coup for Redland City
Redland City’s two Priority Development Area (PDA) projects will receive a boost with Council attracting a senior Queensland Government officer to drive them.
Peter Kelley’s secondment as Project Director PDAs is a major coup for Council and for the Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek projects, two of the first three PDAs declared by the Queensland Government.
Peter, or PK as he is known, comes to the Redlands from Economic Development Queensland, part of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, and before that the Urban Land Development Authority and major property development companies.
His wide experience in the development industry across the residential, commercial, retail and industrial sectors will prepare him well for the new challenge ahead, which includes responsibility for the Cleveland Central Business District Rejuvenation Project.
Peter worked on the Macarthur Centre project in Brisbane, was senior development manager for the Commonwealth Games Village, consulted on the Fitzgibbon Chase UDA for Brisbane’s northside and was development manager for the Mining Centre of Blackwater.
Great potential
Good consultation on Priority Development Areas
Great progress has been made gathering stakeholder and community views and information for the Redlands’ two special interest areas.
The Weinam Creek and Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area (PDAs) projects are a partnership between Council and the Queensland Government to create local jobs and economic growth.
Recent community engagement meetings, forums and surveys have produced a wealth of good ideas for both of these prime waterfront areas. This information is now being turned into practical planning options, from which two proposed development schemes will be released for public comment early next year.
Possible suggestions for busy Weinam Creek include improved parking and traffic control, ‘drop in’ facilities for cruising boaties, shopping and eating precincts, adjacent health hub and an artificial beach.
At Toondah Harbour, our gateway to North Stradbroke Island, feedback has suggested that facilities such as boating facilities, and a mix of entertainment and hospitality facilities must fit with the local environment while allowing residents to continue to enjoy cooling bay breezes.
Wide ranging community engagement is critical to these projects to ensure the outcomes have long term economic and community benefits in line with the Economic Development Act 2012.
Under the Act, planning schemes for each project must be adopted by the State Government within 12 months (that is by June 2014), with development activation expected to occur within a three to five year period.
The PDAs remove red tape and offer a range of benefits to developers including:
- streamlined application and approval process for development
- no third-party appeal rights on approved development
- clearly defined timeframes for each stage of the application process and less time on development applications overall
Development going digital
PDAs at your fingertips
A new PDA website is now live as an online resource for developers and investors.
The site showcases the Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek projects, explaining the Priority Development Area process and investment benefits, as well as what makes each of these sites unique from a development perspective.
Visit www.redlandsopenforbusiness.com.au
Free workshop ‘Know your I.T. Systems
This free workshop will explain the ins and outs of I.T systems and provide a refreshing approach to getting a better non-technical overview of your I.T. systems.
One of the most critical parts of a business, some people find I.T. overwhelming or confusing; but this hands-on business workshop will provide the information you need to make your I.T. work for you.
Date: 16 October 2013
Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Location: Redlands IndigiScape Centre, Runnymede Road, Capalaba 4157
RSVP: [email protected] or call 07 3829 8507.
Information session with Graham Leishman
Learn the secrets of business success from local businessman Graham Leishman.
Graham has grown one of the most successful transit businesses in the land moving over 80,000,000 passengers annually in Perth and Adelaide.
Locally Graham operates the Big Red Cat from Cleveland to Stradbroke and is also involved in other ports such as Gladstone ferrying miners to Curtis Island.
Along with partner Ross Campbell, Graham is also involved in the Retirement Village industry developing Renaissance Retirement at Victoria Point. He is also involved in student accommodation Uniresort in Brisbane and recently opened a storage complex.
Graham will share some of his philosophies for business success at this informative session.
Event details
Date: 31 October 2013
Time: 7.00am for 7.15am start – concludes 9.00am
Location: Cleveland RSL – 8 Passage St, Cleveland QLD 4163
