Let the business begin
Have your say
Waterfront watershed
Accommodation incentives
Destination direction
International exposure
Have an event?
Cultural boom
Straddie Chamber marketing
Sands of time
New adventures
Let the business begin
Redlands businesses are well placed to bid for the opportunities set to emerge from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
You may also like these stories
With the Games to involve one of the most significant State Government procurement programs this decade, a workshop has been organised to help businesses build their capacity to tender competitively for games-related work, as well as for other government business.
During a three-hour interactive session from 8am on Wednesday 20 August at Redlands RSL Club, Passage Street, Cleveland, participants will learn the art of developing and submitting tenders and how to conduct market research to maximise their chances of success.
The workshop is suitable for businesses new to tendering for government business, as well as those which simply want a refresher and to learn the basics about supplying to GC2018.
Register or view other Tendering for Government Business events >>
The workshop costs $50.
For more information, visit the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website or phone 13 74 68 .
Have your say
Redland City Council has developed a draft Economic Development Strategy that charts a course for the City over the next 25 years driven by an increase in local employment, productivity and tourism growth.
The draft Strategy is open for community comment and you are encouraged to read it and have your say. A research compendium and supporting statistics for the strategy have also been released online. You will find them on the Redland City Council website.
You also can get involved by adding your comments on the website or by making a submission online.
Alternatively you can email responses to [email protected] or by post to Redland City Council PO Box 21, Cleveland Qld 4163. Comments not made online should be clearly marked ‘Submission to draft Redland City Economic Development Strategy’.
The Economic Development Strategy is not just about attracting business but about retaining and encouraging local business to grow. It will help to identify new business opportunities in key growth sectors and separate action plans are to be developed for each industry sector as the strategy progresses.
Waterfront watershed
With closure of the Expression of Interest period, the Redlands’ two priority development area projects at Cleveland’s Toondah Harbour and Redland Bay’s Weinam Creek now enter an exciting phase.
Eight strong Expressions of Interest were submitted by firms interested in being part of these exciting projects to create retail, residential and economic hubs for the region. There were also 54 inquiries during the Expression of Interest period.
An expert panel will soon be formed to assess the potential investors, with the Request for Proposals stage to begin in September. Four expressions of interest were lodged for each of the PDAs, with a refined list of potential investors on track for early 2015.
Check Redlands Open for Business for updates.
Accommodation incentives
Tourism accommodation providers now have even more reason to invest in the Redlands with Council adopting a tourism accommodation incentives package at its general meeting on July 30.
It follows a Redland City Council resolution in June to investigate measures to generate tourism accommodation projects that will provide local employment by attracting more visitors to the Redlands.
The incentives adopted by Council include:
- 100 per cent concession for infrastructure charges and development application fees on a “first come, first served” basis for material change of use development (involving building works).
- Twenty business day priority assessment of development applications that are well made.
- Rating and utility charge concession during the construction phase for material change of use development
Destination direction
Brisbane Marketing has been working on the Destination Tourism Plan for the Greater Brisbane Region and sought feedback from Redland City Council and local tourism operators.
The plan, more than six months in the making, aims to provide the definitive direction for the visitor economy in the region towards 2020. It will highlight the resources needed to create sustainable and competitive tourism destinations.
The Redlands’ visitor economy stretches beyond just leisure and holiday visitors and includes events, business travel, visiting friends and family as well as travel for a purpose, such as education and health.
The plan will provide the Redlands – which has unique features and experiences, opportunities and challenges – with a clear strategy for supporting a sustainable tourism industry.
International exposure
The Redlands has had exposure to 38 countries through its representation at the recent Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns and the Australian Tourism Export Council in Sydney.
The events bring together tourism businesses with international travel industry and media. With international operators looking for new destinations for their customers, the Redlands is in a great position to build on its tourism credentials and get draw more international visitors. During the event, many valuable relationships were formed and will continue to develop over the coming months.
Have an event?
If you haven’t done it already, you should list your events on the new Visit Brisbane website. You can do so by filling out the online form. Once registered, you can access the Submit an Event form via the My Profile button at the top right of website.
Cultural boom
The number of inquiries on cultural tourism is growing, with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) working with Quandamooka organisations to educate and share stories of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and its people to many groups, schools and universities. Opportunities to grow this important tourism sector and develop new experiences are being explored.
EC3 Global and Eco Tourism Australia are also working closely with QYAC to develop eco-tourism opportunities in the region. QYAC CEO Cameron Costello has just returned from China a trade mission which explored the development of significant eco-tourism ventures.
Straddie Chamber marketing
Stradbroke Chamber of Commerce’s latest campaign is well underway to draw Queensland and interstate residents to the island.
The Straddie Is Campaign, backed by Redland City Council, aims to educate people through digital media, such as YouTube, on how easy it is to travel and get around the island. The strategy incorporates social media and user-generated content.
“For Straddie locals, we experience the great weather, stunning beaches, and precious wildlife every day but we want to share our island with Australia and, in turn, find out what Straddie is to our visitors,” Stradbroke Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Thomson said. “By encouraging people to share what they think is a signature trait of Straddie, they are becoming advocates for our large tourism community and the island.”
The digital campaign will span three months during the island’s off-season.
To find out more, visit YouTube and Facebook.
Sands of time
A group will soon be set up to help transition North Stradbroke Island’s economy from sand mining to sustainable industries.
Member for Cleveland Dr Mark Robinson has announced he has the support of the Government to form a NSI Economic Transition Group to help plan for the island’s economic future. Redland City Mayor Karen Williams will share the role of group chair.
“Much work will need to be done if we are to ensure a smooth transition over coming years from mining to an alternative economy,” Dr Robinson said. “To achieve this aim we will need all parties to be working collaboratively towards a common goal – a sustainable future for the island and its people.’’
The group will work in parallel with the well-established Quandamooka round table.
Business and community leaders who have both an existing interest in the island and a vision for its future would be invited to join the NSI Economic Transition Group.
“Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has committed to delegating a senior officer from his Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning to be part of the group,’’ Dr Robinson said.
Cr Williams said Redland City Council supported a well-planned approach to the island’s future and was ready to support the Government in driving a successful transition.
New adventures
Wayne Lamb will be launching his new vessel Axis Vitae on 9 August in what is a significant investment by Robinson Cruises. This yacht will offer tailored sailing experiences on Moreton Bay, including sunset and champagne cruises that showcase the wonderful hidden treasures of the Redlands. You will find more information the Robinson Cruises website.
