March 2023 Newsletter

The Committee’s future: what members said

The Committee recently held a strategic planning workshop with about 20 of its Corporate Leader Members as part of an initiative to support deeper member engagement and a co-design approach to program curation and delivery.

The purpose was to hear directly from Corporate Leader members on the future direction of the Committee and policy priorities for 2023 and beyond. Key questions asked were:

What three specific themes is CFB uniquely positioned to address to help shape “greater Brisbane as the world’s most liveable place”?
Under each theme, what specific outcomes would you like CFB to achieve over the next five years?
What does success look like in 2028 (four years from the Games)? What are the key elements we need to get right?

The feedback was extensive but a few key takeaways were:

Overall, there was strong endorsement for CFB’s four pillars of strategic priority – Connected, Enterprising, Creative and Equitable and how these pillars have translated into program delivery.
Members were enthusiastic to build/expand on their engagement with CFB to collectively and collaboratively raise awareness, develop solutions and engage collectively with decision makers to address issues of importance to greater Brisbane.
Key themes identified as priority areas for CFB – transport and connectivity, talent attraction and retention, attracting interstate and international headquarters, jobs of the future, housing challenges, building corporate and community capability in addressing diversity and inclusion issues; First Nations issues and opportunities, climate resilience/sustainability and circular economy.
Success in 2028 is for CFB to be recognised as a “preeminent, representative, credible and respected voice” for important matters affecting greater Brisbane, to government and other decision makers.

The workshop feedback was collated and shared with the Management Committee and Advisory Council members to inform the Committee’s Strategic Planning session held in mid-February.

The feedback was greatly appreciated and framed much of the discussion and planning that has followed. We will keep members updated on the Committee’s strategic priorities and planning efforts over the course of the year.

Our sincere thanks go to workshop host McCullough Robertson Lawyers and our Corporate Leader members for their time and contribution. We plan to continue this as an annual engagement initiative.

Developing a Meanjin Design Protocol for Brisbane

A plan to develop a Meanjin Design Protocol was announced at the Committee’s most recent event, presented in partnership with our First Nations Advisory Group.

“Deadly designing: inspiration from Country” was the Committee’s first foray into a big conversation about how city design might be positively influenced through the ancient stories of Country.

The Committee recently lodged its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan with Reconciliation Australia, which contains a raft of actions and commitments over the next 12 months or so.

As part of the Committee’s role as a membership-based organisation, we are looking for avenues through which our membership can explore and expand their engagement with First Nations people and enterprises, including through events.

One of the two keynote speakers, Turrbal and Yuggera Traditional Owner Shannon Ruska, spoke of his desire to see the people of Brisbane and region learn about, acknowledge and embrace the ancient stories of Country – the waters, land and sky of Meanjin/Brisbane – and to see that represented in the city’s character, through building and infrastructure design, landscapes, planning and more.

The Committee has lots of members across those disciplines – including many who have spoken of their desire to engage meaningfully and respectfully on First Nations knowledge and experiences and stories – so reached out with an idea to stimulate a conversation with the business community and others.

The result was this recent event with a panel of Shannon Ruska and sector experts:

Landscape: Deb Robbins, Studio Principal, Taylor Cullity Lethlean
Architecture: Peter Hyland, School of Architecture, The University of Queensland
Planning and Urban Design: Michael Stott, Head of Cities and Places, DBI.

Over the past few months, as the event was being planned, an idea was floated to start a process of engagement and exploration, to ultimately develop a Meanjin Design Protocol.

The Committee and its First Nations Advisory Group will soon reach out to the design community and others to get the project started.

A room with many views

The Committee used the Yeah/Nah app to conduct a live poll of the audience before and during the recent “Deadly designing: inspiration from Country” event and asked attendees four questions, which received very strong, positive responses.

Do you think the arrival experience in Brisbane should meaningfully acknowledge First Nations culture and relationships to Country? Yes: 91%
Do you think Brisbane residents and international visitors are interested to learn more about First Nations’ culture and relationships to Country? Yes: 95%
Should the design of the city’s landscapes, public realm and built form reflect First Nations history and cultural influence? Yes: 98%
Would you be interested in participating in a process to help develop a First Nations design protocol for Meanjin/Brisbane? Yes: 90%

What’s LA28 up to?

The Committee for Brisbane recently hosted the fifth iteration of its “Business of the Games” series, hearing from Bill Hanway, Executive Vice President/Global Sports and Infrastructure Leader at AECOM, who discussed his role in the master plan for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bill shared an insightful presentation and revealed his playbook for Los Angeles 2028 (a solely private-sector undertaking), the Games’ goals and infrastructure plans, and shone a light on the challenges and opportunities for a host city.

He was joined by his colleague, Rodrigo Libano Soares, Director – Global Sports at AECOM, for a panel discussion with about 100 guests. The main outtakes for Brisbane 2032 were:

Review the Games bid and customise the masterplan, as necessary
Centralise procurement to avoid creating competition for resources
Create the best athlete experience – if they don’t perform, the Games won’t be a success
Cluster sports together for optimal venue use
Invest in the right legacy infrastructure

Thank you to our event host AECOM.

Dream boldly – a new CFB podcast

Stories of Brisbane and its creative centre will be featured on a new Committee for Brisbane podcast – Dream Boldly – scheduled for launch in March.

The podcast title was inspired by the Creative Brisbane Collab. and its Vision:

Brisbane: the place to be.

A global city where creativity is valued and imagination empowered. Where innovation and collaboration drive a thriving economy and vibrant communities. Dream boldly.

The podcast is a partnership with CFB member Aruga, and the intent is to interview Brisbane identities/organisations who are contributing to the fabric of the city and region, and ask them to share their thoughts about our future.

Through personal stories, the podcast hopes to showcase Brisbane as a city where creativity and innovation are part of daily life. The first podcasts will hear from:

The Creative Brisbane Collab. – a chat with some of the founders
Kylie Blucher, CFB President and Managing Director, Nine Qld and Nine Northern NSW
Steve Wilson AM, prominent Brisbane businessman and a built heritage patron
Kate Gould, CEO and Artistic Director, Brisbane Powerhouse
Simon Hewitt, Director of Music, Queensland Youth Orchestras

Mike Kaiser to brief Corporate Leaders

Mike Kaiser, Coordinator General and Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, will hold a briefing with Corporate Leader members on Tuesday 21 March.

The event is the first for 2023 in the Committee for Brisbane’s Corporate Leader briefings series, designed to bring senior government and business people into contact with CFB’s top tier members.

The Chatham House rules events provide an effective avenue for the city’s and State’s leaders to speak with and hear from leading businesses and organisations.

The event is kindly being hosted by Dexus.

Moreton Bay’s Creative Industries Demo Day

Business owners in the creative industries sector who are looking to grow and access new markets and customers, are invited to take part in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Creative Industries Demo Day.

The Mill at Moreton Bay is a CFB member and our colleagues have been watching the work the Committee has been doing with the Creative Brisbane Collab. www.creativebrisbane.com.au and reached out to see if any CFB members might be interested in the Demo Day.

As part of the Innovate Moreton Bay program, Council is calling for Expressions of Interest (close Friday 31 March) from business owners that are looking for opportunities to:

Create new networks and have the opportunity to connect with the region’s leading thought and business minds
Fine-tune pitching skills to deliver a successful proposal
Gain validation for a business proposal, and have the opportunity to consider and access new markets and customers
Collaborate and partner with like-minded businesses, providing the opportunity for further growth and validation

Businesses operating in the wider creative industries are encouraged to apply, including from:

Digital industries including gaming, video game design, and publishing
Film and television, including special effects
AR/VR
Storytelling via digital means including voice-controlled home devices
Architecture and design

For more information: https://www.innovatemoretonbay.com.au/creative-industries-demo-day

New members

The Committee recently welcomed 13 new members and one Affiliate.

Corporate Member

Aria

Enterprise Member

Safe Company

Associate

Gillian O’Mara
Kelly Butler
Jake O’Neil
Chris Gill
Sonia Shillington
Claire Grlj
Jason Law
Elke Stapf
Kerryn Newton
Brett Leavy
James Healy

Affiliate

Transport Australia Society

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