Ipswich hosts forum to forge more collaborations

Stakeholders from Ipswich’s business, startup and research communities will come together today (25 November) to hear about collaborative opportunities and funding available under the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland initiative.

Minister for Science and Innovation Leeanne Enoch said Ipswich was an ideal location to host the latest Advance Queensland forum, which aims to foster greater collaboration between researchers, businesses and industry sectors in a bid to build Queensland’s global competitiveness.

“Ipswich has a growing reputation as a competitive local economy, having been named one of the Top7 Intelligent Communities in the world earlier this year,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Intelligent Communities Forum—considered global thought leaders—recognised Ipswich for its forward economic thinking and engagement with the community around the uptake of digital technology.

“This sort of progressive thinking is exactly what we want to see in our state, and Advance Queensland provides a range of programs that will help grow our knowledge economy and create highly-skilled jobs for the future.

“It’s about providing opportunities for people to collaborate on projects that can drive innovation and productivity and help position Queensland as an attractive investment destination with a strong innovation and entrepreneurial culture.”

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said opportunities for collaboration would soon be even easier, with the Ipswich City Council transforming a fire station at 101 Limestone Street into a digital innovation and startup hub.

“Fire Station 101 will be a co-working space where people and businesses can meet and develop ideas,” Ms Howard said. “This will provide even more opportunities to help generate jobs for the future and enhance Ipswich’s global reputation as a leader of the digital economy.”

Ipswich local Andrew Chamberlin, from the University of Southern Queensland, will speak at the forum. He is experienced in collaborating with businesses and industries to help them implement sustainable practices, most recently leading the feasibility study into a district cooling system in Brisbane’s CBD.

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said collaboration was a vital part of Andrew’s work.

“With industry-research collaborations resulting in a 70 per cent increase in the likelihood of delivering unique and innovative ideas and products, we need more businesses and researchers taking this approach in their operations,” Mr Madden said.

“Collaboration is at the very core of Advance Queensland. It’s why it is important to bring people together at forums to share knowledge and experiences and cross-fertilise ideas.”

Find out more about Advance Queensland at www.qld.gov.au/advanceqld