Logan to get 'innovation precinct'
Innovation precinct to house cutting-edge industries
An ambitious plan to develop the City of Logan’s version of California’s Silicon Valley will aim to attract leading and start-up technology and research businesses.
Logan City Council will investigate establishing an ‘innovation precinct’ in Underwood and Slacks Creek to house a range of cutting-edge industries including:
- Aeronautical engineering
- Biotechnology industries
- Medical laboratories
- Computer component manufacturing
- Computer server facilities
- Energy industries
The proposed precinct, adjacent to the Logan and Kingston roads intersection, has proximity to the M1 and the South East Busway extension.
The area is already home to edu-tech giant Go1 – where, every three seconds, someone in the world accesses one of their online training programs – and Council’s coLab Growth Hub for emerging entrepreneurs.
Economic Development Chair, Councillor Jon Raven, said the precinct could launch a new era for City of Logan workers as many of the targeted industries offer high-end salaries and contract work.
“A precinct like this can become an employment powerhouse for our city, with every new high value job in the city creating another five jobs to support it,” Cr Raven said.
The proposed precinct is the next step in an investment boom over the past five years in the City of Logan, mostly in traditional industries such as logistics and manufacturing.
Division 3 Councillor, Mindy Russell, said the facility would benefit residents and those from outside the area.
“It will provide high-paying employment opportunities close to home for those nearby, and new customers for existing businesses in the precinct,” Cr Russell said.
Council’s Digital Infrastructure Connectivity Program complements the plan.
The program was endorsed as a key priority in the City of Logan Advocacy Strategy 2021-2024.
New industries have also seen the benefit of being based in Logan.
They include drone delivery service Wing, BlockTexx, a clean technology company which recovers polyester and cellulose from textiles and clothing, and Imaging Solutions, which manufactures cutting edge radiation protection and other medical products.
