Page 4 - BOL Mar 21 Edition

Industry innovation

puts Moreton Bay

on road to recovery

Even before the launch of Moreton “That’s why we’re always looking to McGruddy, encouraged local businesses
Bay’s Regional Economic Development industry leaders in places like Italy and to start small but think globally about how
Strategy 2021-41 (REDS), the local thinking about how we can innovate to they can grow and seize opportunities.
economy was showing signs of rapid be competitive and stay at the forefront
recovery thanks to the quick thinking of of our industry. “At the beginning of the COVID-19
local businesses. pandemic we saw empty shelves following
“Fortunately Moreton Bay has natural the panic buying of everyday staples,” she
Mayor Peter Flannery said while advantages like our proximity to Brisbane’s said.
consequences of COVID-19 are undeniable port and airport, which means we’re able
and “the game has changed”, Moreton Bay to now export 70% of our production.” “This highlighted, more than ever, the
businesses are finding opportunity in the need for food security from home grown,
face of adversity. My Berries founder Stuart McGruddy sustainable food production and delivery.
turned a farming ‘waste’ product into a
“I’ve honestly been astounded by how business that literally put Moreton Bay “We are lucky in Australia because we
nimble local businesses have been to on the national map earlier this year grow enough food to feed 75 million
respond to this ever-changing pandemic when Arnott’s launched a Tim Tam flavour people.
and seemingly stay one step ahead,” he named after Moreton Bay.
said. “However, in a country with a population
of around 25 million it makes sense for us
“The tech innovation coming out of “ to export 70% of that to nations who are
Brendale, the agricultural investments less food secure than we are.
around Caboolture and Samford, and You might be busy
the knowledge precinct USC’s building in today, but if you don’t Right now Australia is seen as one of the
Petrie in spite of this pandemic truly defy safest places in the world and thanks to
the global recession. prepare you could all our established infrastructure, business
of a sudden be in a networks, available space, and climate,
“It won’t all be smooth sailing, at times deep hole. I think Moreton Bay has abundant
it will be tough and at times it will be opportunities if you dare to take them.
uncertain. - Lindsay Packer
“Not to mention the fact that it’s really
“But in everything there is opportunity, beautiful lifestyle here - you’re close to the
and that’s what the REDS is all about. beach and there’s beautiful farm land, and
I just think that people are friendly and
“We are no longer operating on a ‘Business “We think that the Moreton Bay Raspberry great weather, you can’t beat it!”
As Usual’ basis and we can look to industry & Dark Choc Tim Tam in particular is a
leaders as evidence of the untapped true success story of what can happen The new economic strategy outlines
potential here in our region.” when great thinkers and good heads get the steps the region is taking to grow a
together to solve a problem,” he said. $40 billion economy and create 100,000
Packer Leather chairman Lindsay Packer jobs making Moreton Bay a Tech and
said the secret to his company’s 130 years “Moreton Bay grows the best berries in Innovation hub in the process.
of success was continual innovation. Australia, but we were having to throw
away mountains of perfectly good, juicy, To join #TeamMoretonBay and
“The pandemic has made us look at how sweet berries away simply because they understand the aspirations of the new
we can improve things, so we installed wouldn’t look good in a punnet. Regional Economic Development
new cutting and printing machines that Strategy for your business, visit:
allow designs to be printed on leather,” he “I couldn’t accept that, so we changed moretonbay.qld.gov.au/REDS
said. our practices and in 2020 we repurposed
over 300 tonnes of berries and we’re really
“You might be busy today, but if you don’t proud of that.
prepare you could all of a sudden be in a
deep hole. His wife and business partner, Allison