June 2024 Newsletter

Brisbane in top 40 for Innovation

Brisbane has been named as one of the top 40 emerging ecosystems for start-ups in the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report released at London Tech Week. In the past 12 months, Brisbane has climbed 13 positions from 47th to now be placed at 34th in 2024. This new ranking means Brisbane is joining other major innovation hotspots like Silicon Valley, New York, London and Singapore, who also ranked in the top 40.  

Brisbane’s growing innovation ecosystem has fostered startups in defence technologies, Cleantech, unmanned aerial systems, Medtech, and Deep Tech. Edtech platform Go1, advanced machinery maintenance business GreaseBoss, video-editing software provider Clipchamp, needle-free vaccine maker Vaxxas, and Deep Tech-driven flood prediction company FloodMapp are only some of the many startups showing that Brisbane is the place to be for innovation. 

You can read more about the report here

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State Budget Overview

The Queensland Budget was handed down on June 11, and we have provided you with a breakdown of where the money is going.  

There is a clear focus on cost of living relief, with other areas of interest including:  

• $1000 electricity rebates for households 
• 50 cent public transport fares (for six months, starting 5 August) 
• Half price travel on AirTrain (for six months, starting 5 August) 
• 20 per cent off vehicle registrations (for 12 months, starting 16 September) 
• Increased threshold for stamp duty for first home buyers (increased from $550,000 to $700,000, with partial concession up to $800,000) 
• Additional 150,000 x $200 FairPlay vouchers to encourage children to play sport 

Some of the highlights from the State Budget for Greater Brisbane include:  

• $240,000 to appoint a Night Life Economy Commissioner to guide support for businesses reliant on active nightlife, including live music venues. 
• $115 million for 77 Queensland councils for infrastructure projects. 
• $38 million to support Queensland’s screen industry, including the Production Attraction Strategy; Post and Digital Effects; and Digital Games Program. These incentives will deliver a pipeline of productions and projects and create an opportunity for Queensland to be a destination of choice for screen production. 
• $37.4 billion for the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28, including major project investments for the Bruce Highway, Coomera Connector, Gold Coast Light Rail and Sunshine Coast Direct Rail. 
• $7.1 billion over 9 years to 2032–33 for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues infrastructure, and $62 million over 4 years from 2024–25 and $14 million per annum ongoing to 2032–33 for the preparation of additional Project Validation Reports and establishment costs for the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, to be transferred to the Authority once established.

 

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Shaping Our Cities Together

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is developing a National Urban Policy and wants your input on how governments, industries, and communities can enhance Australian cities and suburbs. 

This policy aims to help the government plan and create urban environments that are sustainable and adaptable for current and future generations. It outlines goals for making our urban areas more livable, equitable, productive, sustainable, and resilient. The policy will be a joint effort with state and territory governments, focusing on sustainable growth. 

Your feedback is crucial to shape how governments, industries, and communities collaborate to improve our cities and suburbs now and in the future. The government acknowledges that the draft policy may not cover every aspect, so this is an opportunity for you to contribute and influence the direction of change. 

Once feedback is reviewed, the government will finalise the National Urban Policy in consultation with state and territory governments and urban policy experts. Your input will help shape the future of urban development in Australia. 

To have your say you can attend the workshop in Brisbane on July 1 which you can book below

Workshop Appointment  

The Committee for Brisbane will be providing feedback on the draft Policy. Please contact Jen@committeeforbrisbane.org.au if you are keen to contribute to the submission. 

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A behind the scenes tour at the ARM Hub

The Enterprise Sub-Committee were given a behind-the-scenes tour by Dr Cori Stewart, Founder and CEO of the ARM Hub Site at Northgate as part of building their knowledge of innovation ecosystems. ARM Hub provides startups and businesses with a space to validate, commercialise and modernise using cutting-edge technologies, design thinking, new IP and workforce development strategies in defence, energy, medical, resources, agriculture sectors. Currently companies like Vaulta and Southern Green Gas are using the space to develop, build, test and collaborate on bringing their products and ideas to life.  

The group led by Co-Chairs Dr Anne Kovachevich, Mott MacDonald and Prof Tim Kastelle, UQ also had a tour of Urban Art Projects. UAP is a design studio, robotics and innovation hub, factory, foundry, and an international network of engineers, installers and suppliers, extending the full length of a project’s development and lifespan. At the site at Northgate UAP designs and produces large scale artwork for sites across Australia. 

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Member Renewals for 2024

It’s that time of year again, and we are excited to see so many of our members signing on for another year of activity and change at the Committee for Brisbane.   

The Committee for Brisbane is looking forward to sharing our year ahead with members and working with each of you to understand what you want to see us champion for over the next year. We are looking forward to driving positive change and progress in our city.  

In the year ahead we aim to collaborate more with government, industry and work with the community to seize opportunities for growth and development in Brisbane. 

If you aren’t a member of the Committee for Brisbane and are interested in coming on board, please reach out to us at admin@committeeforbrisbane.org.au. By joining our network, you become part of a dynamic network of leaders, innovators and change makers who are committed to making Brisbane a more sustainable and inclusive city.  

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Happy little vegemites

Brisbane voted Australia’s happiest city  

In a recent accolade, Brisbane has been named Australia’s happiest city, securing the 21st spot in the prestigious 2024 Happy City Index. Awarded a gold rating, Brisbane was celebrated for its pleasant weather, laid-back charm, and vibrant music scene. The index evaluates cities based on governance, environment, mobility, economy, and their overall impact on residents’ happiness. 

Throughout the year, Brisbane has garnered international attention, highlighted by its inclusion in the esteemed New York Times list of top 52 places to visit worldwide. Visitors are encouraged to explore Brisbane for its diverse dining scene, ongoing revitalization projects—such as the exciting Queens Wharf development—and its consistently beautiful weather. 

As Brisbane gears up to host the 2032 Olympics, this global recognition of our city’s allure is a testament to our ongoing journey onto the international stage. Each accolade reinforces Brisbane’s appeal and underscores our commitment to showcasing a city that residents and visitors alike can be proud of. 

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Kings Birthday Honour meets Committee for Brisbane

Former President of the Committee for Brisbane has been awarded the King’s Birthday Honour.  

The King’s Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people from across the Commonwealth. They recognise people who have made achievements in public life, professional life, and who are committed to serving and helping their communities.  

Dr Noel Robinson served as The Committee for Brisbane President, under the Banner of Brisbane Development Agency (BDA), from 1986 – 1989. Dr Noel Robinson (OAM) was awarded this prestigious award for his service to Architecture.  

Congratulations to Noel.  

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Committees for Capital Cities coalition

Australia’s capital cities have a lot in common. 

We share strong economic growth, some of the most multicultural communities in the world, and highly educated populations. Together we have a significant impact on Australia: we account for nearly 70% of the country’s economy, and are home to more than two thirds of the country’s population. 

We also share challenges: fast population growth, housing unaffordability, delivering a rapid energy transition, biodiversity loss, a historic underinvestment in public transport, and the need to maintain globally competitive industries. 

We’ve just spent a week in Canberra engaging with federal government to introduce the Committees for Capital Cities coalition. Teaming up with the Committees for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, we’ve spent the week advocating to the Federal Government, key Opposition spokespeople and crossbenchers on the importance of urban economies and communities. This means working together on several policy priorities: 

• The need for a strong national urban policy;
• Ensuring cities are affordable;
• Investing in infrastructure to support growth;
• The role of cities in Australia’s net zero aspirations;
• Enabling national economic and industry policy in place;
• Unlocking international education and tourism opportunities.

One of the key engagements was an event held at Parliament House with The Hon. Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, discussing planning and infrastructure provision for the growth of capital cities. 

Key insights included: 

• National Urban Policy is critical to drive place-based outcomes on infrastructure spending, industry policy and housing growth.
• Infrastructure spending needs to align with our broader objectives – enabling affordable, sustainable and productive cities.
• Cities can play a vital role in the decarbonisation of industry, transport, buildings and energy, but this requires certainty for investors and communities.

Through advocacy and collaboration, we’re looking forward to joining the Committees for Capital Cities coalition in harnessing our strengths for a better national future. 

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Save the date Best practice guidance for using Indigenous artwork

So you want to use an Indigenous artwork or image for your corporate or community publication but aren’t sure where to start?

Join the upcoming webinar hosted by HopgoodGanim Lawyers and Parallax Legal on Thursday 1 August 2024 at 12:00pm AEST.

At this webinar, intellectual property specialists from HopgoodGanim Lawyers and Parallax Legal will discuss best practice for using Indigenous artwork to help protect your corporation and Indigenous artists.

This webinar is free to attend, please register your interest here:

https://ecomms.hopgoodganim.com.au/s/22abe34964e86948f855f3b38145df094e35c041

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New Members

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