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Strengthening South East Queensland South

South East Queensland South banner

The South East Queensland South (SEQ South) region comprises the local government areas of Gold Coast, Logan and Redland City Councils.

The regional economy has a diversified industrial structure with employment opportunities and economic activity driven across several industries, including knowledge-based and services-based sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health and medical, education, retail and transport, as well as traditional drivers such as construction and tourism.

Our South East Queensland South regional office is one of 14 regional offices across Queensland supporting businesses to mature, grow and invest. Support is facilitated via one-on-one interactions, information, presentations and workshops (both online and face-to-face).

View all upcoming events and opportunities on the events page.

A number of pre-recorded sessions are also available on how to promote your businesses’ products and services to others.

We focus on areas identified in the New Industry Development Strategy relating to opportunities driven by decarbonisation and our competitive advantages in the following priority areas:

  • Renewable energy manufacturing
  • Critical minerals
  • Battery industry development
  • Green Hydrogen
  • Circular economy
  • Bioeconomy including biofuels and aviation fuel.

The newly established Local Economic Opportunities Network, works with local communities to assist with economic transition.  The LEO network is part of the Queensland new-industry development strategy and was established to support investment in clean energy technology and ­help communities take advantage of the economic opportunities available in Queensland.

There are a range of programs and initiatives available to help Queensland local governments, business and industry reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

We also continue to provide sector wide industry development services, including project facilitation, and supply chain development and  maintain a strong focus on priority industries and roadmaps including;

  • advanced manufacturing
  • aerospace
  • beef proccessing
  • biofutures
  • biomedical
  • defence
  • hydrogen
  • mining equipment, technology and services (METS)
  • resource recovery
  • space
  • superyachts/ marine

Gold Coast

Gold Coast City is located in south-east Queensland, about 78 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD. Gold Coast City is bordered by Logan City, Redland City and Moreton Bay in the north, the Coral Sea in the east, the New South Wales border in the south and the Scenic Rim Regional Council area in the west. Gold Coast City's Gross Regional Product is estimated at $40.98 billion, which represents 10.6% of the state's GSP (Gross State Product). With more than 70,000 registered businesses across the city, the Gold Coast is developing a significant scale that defines the City's credentials as a world-class investment destination.

Population

The Estimated Resident Population of Gold Coast City was 647,824 as per REMPLAN 2022 release 2 data.

Employment

Labour force in Gold Coast SA4 region is 372,700 with unemployment rate currently at 2.6% as of April 2023.

Strengths

  • direct international air access
  • three world-class universities
  • strategically located of the edge of the Asia-Pacific Rim
  • established and diverse local supply chains
  • innovative culture
  • diverse economy
  • welcoming approximately 14.2 million visitors each year
  • robust economy
  • home to Village Roadshow studios
  • diverse student community
  • highly skilled workforce

Main industries

  • education
  • film
  • health and medical
  • manufacturing
  • information communication technology (ICT)
  • marine
  • sport
  • tourism
  • construction

Key projects

Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct/ Lumina

The 200-hectare Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct is a partnership between the City of Gold Coast, Griffith University and Queensland Government. It includes Griffith University, Gold Coast University Hospital and Gold Coast Private Hospital, as well as the former 2018 Commonwealth Games™ Athletes Village site, now transformed into a residential and retail community. The precinct also offers over nine hectares of targeted commercial development at Lumina, focused on life sciences, health and technology related businesses to invest, cluster and grow, with land, leasing and co-working opportunities. Once fully developed, the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct is projected to inject $2.9 billion annually into the local economy and employ up to 26,000 people. Lumina is one of Economic Development Queensland’s Development Projects.

Griffith University's Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute (ADaPT)

Griffith University’s new $80 million institute is a flagship innovation facility for the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, translating university research and technology, together with world-leading industry partners and collaborators, at the cutting-edge of additive manufacturing and new personalised medicine technology.

ADaPT will merge the university’s expertise in micro and nano-technology, new materials, biomechanical and biomedical engineering, big data and artificial/augmented intelligence, complex medical imaging and 3D printing design and technology, with the innovation of partner companies to engineer next-generation medical and industrial applications.

The Spit Masterplan

At the northern tip of the Gold Coast’s famous stretch of beach is a peninsula of land known as The Spit. The Spit Master Plan was released in May 2019 and has resulted in investment in key infrastructure for the area’s livability such as the Seaway Promenade. The Queensland Government will be investing $26.8 million over the next four years to deliver ongoing community focused infrastructure projects for The Spit. To find out more on the full works program visit: Spit implementation projects

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A – Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads

The Gold Coast is Australia’s largest non-capital city and the second largest city in Queensland, with its population forecast to increase by 61 per cent to 928,000 in 2041. The provision of high-capacity public transport will allow the Gold Coast to accommodate forecast growth while preserving the attractiveness and liveability of the southern Gold Coast. The identified corridor surrounding Stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail is planned to accommodate a significant portion of the city’s future residents, dwellings and jobs through urban renewal and economic development. Better public transport services in this growth area will reduce car dependency and traffic congestion.

Logan

Logan City is located in southern Brisbane, between 15 and 50 kilometres south of the Brisbane GPO. Logan City is surrounded by Brisbane City and Redland City in the north, Gold Coast City in the east, the Scenic Rim Regional Council area in the south, and Ipswich City in the west. The City of Logan encompasses a total land area of about 957 square (sq) kilometres. Rural areas are located mainly in the southern, western and eastern edges of the city. Logan is a growing residential area, with substantial rural, rural-residential, commercial and industrial areas.  Logan is well-positioned to support the growing South-East Queensland region and attract a wide range of industry and development.

Population

The Estimated Resident Population of Logan City was 350,740 as of 30 June 2021.

Employment

Labour force is 186,391 and unemployment rate was 6.5% as of December 2022.

Strengths

  • easy access to major motorways and rail corridors
  • 69 unique suburbs
  • diverse skilled workforce
  • affordable housing and land
  • approximately 1.4 million visitors to the city annually
  • access to two international airports and Port of Brisbane

Main industries

  • construction
  • education
  • health care and social assistance
  • manufacturing
  • professional services
  • retail

High-level projects

Meadowbrook precinct

The Meadowbrook precinct is a master-planned place focused on health, education and wellbeing. The precinct includes Logan Hospital, Griffith University, TAFE Queensland and other related services and facilities.

Logan Hospital Expansion Project

The $540 million stage 2 Logan hospital expansion project will deliver 206 extra beds and treatment spaces in Logan. The expansion project will increase the hospital’s capacity by almost half. Key investments under this project includes,

  • a $460 million vertical expansion of the building housing Queensland’s second busiest emergency department, including four new floors
  • a new $18.8 million maternity service
  • a new $61.9 million eight-level car park
  • refurbishment of existing clinical and support areas in other buildings.

To find out more please visit Metro South Health project page.

Yarrabilba

The Yarrabilba Priority Development Area (PDA) is located within Logan City, 20 kilometres south of Logan Central. The PDA covers 2222 hectares between the Plunkett Conservation Park to the east, Waterford Tamborine Road to the west and Plunkett Road to the south. When fully developed, the PDA will provide up to 20,000 dwellings to house a population of up to 50,000 people. Full development of the Yarrabilba PDA is expected to take 20-30 years. The PDA was declared on 8 October 2010.

Redland

Redland City is located in south-east Queensland, about 26 kilometres south-east of the Brisbane CBD. Redland City is bounded by Moreton Bay and North Stradbroke Island in the north and east, Gold Coast and Logan Cities in the south, and Brisbane City in the west. Spreading 537sq km, the city consists of communities such as Capalaba and Cleveland, the islands of southern Moreton Bay in the city’s south and rural areas of Mount Cotton and Sheldon. The local economy is directly underpinned by a mix of local industry, retail, health care, education, tourism and construction.

Population

The Estimated Resident Population of Redland City was 163,866 as per the REMPLAN 2022 release 2 data.

Employment

Labour force recorded in June quarter of 2021 was 86,307and unemployment rate was 3.1% in March quarter of 2022.

Strengths

  • access to two international airports and Port of Brisbane
  • gateway to Moreton Bay and the Bay islands
  • Redland City has a number of world-class educational facilities
  • a multi-purpose health hub is also proposed for the Southern Redlands

Main industries

  • construction
  • education and training
  • health care and social assistance
  • manufacturing
  • retail
  • rural enterprises
  • tourism (accommodation and food services)

High-level projects

Pilot hydrogen plan

A $7.5 million pilot hydrogen plant research project is located at the Queensland State Government’s Redlands Research Centre. Hydrogen is a clean, renewable fuel that can be used in transport, power supply and a range of industrial processes. The pilot plant aims to demonstrate different technologies for renewable energy and will help determine the viability of establishing hybrid renewable energy plants to generate hydrogen for export and local use. Professor Ian Mackinnon, from Queensland University of Technology, is leading the project with the aim that the success of the pilot hydrogen plant would open the door for the commercial development of hydrogen-generating plants throughout regional Australia.

Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area

The Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area (PDA) aims to enable redevelopment to boost tourism, and create new business opportunities and jobs while supporting existing businesses. It will provide the local community with better services and facilities. The Toondah Harbour PDA is located on the southern shores of Moreton Bay in Cleveland, approximately one kilometre from of the Cleveland CBD and 33 kilometres from of the Brisbane CBD. The PDA covers 67 hectares, including 17.5 hectares over land and 49.5 hectares over water within Moreton Bay.

Weinam Creek Priority Development Area

The Weinam Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) is in Redland Bay and includes the Weinam Creek Marina, located at the intersection of Banana and Meissner Street. The total area of the PDA is approximately 42 hectares, including 36 hectares over land and nearly 6 hectares over water.

The purpose of the PDA is to reinforce Weinam Creek as a community focus and a regional gateway to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands including Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra and Russell islands.

Development will include opportunities for mixed use and medium density residential dwellings.

Further information

Contact our South East Queensland South regional office to find out more.

Last updated: 02 Aug 2023