WE have been dared to dream big about the future of our city.
To leave behind creative inhibitions and look past financial restrictions to reveal our wildest Logan fantasies.
Could the city be home to theme parks, to a world-class baseball stadium, or even to the country’s most vibrant and diverse markets?
Until 30 August this year, residents have the opportunity to submit these dreams to Logan City Council for its Transform Logan project, which imagines the city in 50 years, circa 2075.
Mayor Jon Raven has encouraged locals to think boldly and turn in submissions that fulfill their biggest dreams for the city.
Ideally, the submissions from the public will enrich the city for locals and draw in tourists.
Markets are already an important draw for Logan tourism and a local staple.
They showcase the city in its Sunday best: diverse cultures, incredible food, small business innovation, and a strong community.
But at the moment, markets in Logan operate on weekends only.
Many major cities worldwide – the ones worth visiting anyway – have a permanent market people travel long distances to see.
Granted, most are closed for at least one or two days per week to recalibrate.
Paddy’s Market in Sydney, Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne, Borough and Camden markets in London, Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu City – you get the point.
In Logan, there are two clear options that could become the city’s future permanent market: the Global Food Markets at Woodridge, and Distillery Road Market (DRM) in Eagleby.
Logan council’s economic development manager David Radich said a permanent, preferably indoor market had “been on our radar for a while”.
“Particularly Paddy’s Market and the Adelaide Market – we have talked to them about what it took to establish themselves,” Mr Radich said.
He said the council wanted to find a permanent home for the Global Food Markets, which are currently held every Sunday opposite Woodridge Train Station.
The problem: the markets are “easily displaced” by capital works and bad weather.
“We want to find them a big, centralised market within the city,” Mr Radich said.
“The challenge we have at the moment is that we would really need to partner with the private sector to deliver something like that. We wouldn’t do it on our own because it is not the right time for council, but we are doing some feasibility work with markets interstate to see what opportunity they see in Logan.
“We have tried a number of [incentives] but now we really need to think more cleverly about things like: what would it look like if we had the land but the private sector delivered something like that?”
He said the Global Food Markets was the perfect opportunity, building on Logan’s reputation as a “multicultural hub”.
“And then building on that further with retail popping up around the place.”
Over at Eagleby, plans are in motion that could see DRM beat Global Food Markets to the punch.
Ten years ago, Zarraffa’s Coffee founder Kenton Campbell purchased the Distillery Road location now known as DRM.
In the next two, Mr Campbell hopes the building will be “fully complete” and equipped to fulfill some short-term goals of the brand.
He plans to expand the market’s hours of operation, finalise the facility’s interior, and continue to partner with quality local businesses.
By the time the Olympics roll around in 2032, Mr Campbell wants DRM to be an icon known wide and far.
“We want to be iconic. To have people coming here to Logan, the epicenter of south-east Queensland, and saying ‘I didn’t plan on finding this here’.”
“Not pouring money in to keep it [DRM] open, actually being relevant on its own merit and being financially relevant.”
As early as Christmas next year, Mr Campbell hopes DRM will be operational for at least six days per week. He said progress and success were all about timing for DRM.
“To have DRM be a place where people come to see in a real, wonderful setting, food and beverage and arts and crafts. It’s not some big, stale event center,” he said.
“We want to be the taste of Queensland and the taste of Australia.”
As the DRM brand continues to grow, Mr Campbell said he kept Logan locals front of mind.
“We all want a place that the locals can be proud of and still get into and afford, no matter where they are in their lives.”
Finishing the hall and building the internal layout, dividing spaces expo one, two, and three by operable walls seen in exhibition halls in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
I’d also like to see a 3 day Country Music Festival like Broadbeach has each year .. The economy of Logan would benefit greatly and it would shine a brighter light on the city and its reputation