Innovation high on the agenda in North Queensland

Creating an innovation movement, collaboration and a changing economy were key topics at the Advance Queensland forum held in Townsville today.

The forum aimed to foster greater collaboration between researchers, businesses and industry sectors in a bid to build Queensland’s global competitiveness.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch spoke to attendees about the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland initiative.

The Minister also announced the first project to be funded under the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program.

“Today I am pleased to announce that Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI) has received $50,000 funding under the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to work with James Cook University (JCU) to reduce equipment downtime, primarily in the mining and sugar industries,” Ms Enoch said.  

“The project will involve hiring a graduate to help develop low-cost, wireless sensors to monitor equipment and provide real-time information and alerts prior to equipment failures.

“This will save time and money and increase the sustainability, safety and reliability of the equipment.”

TEI General Manager Richard Parker said the company understands survival in a changing world depends on working smarter and using the latest materials and technology.

“Partnering with JCU gives us the benefit of innovative ideas and greatly adds to our capacity for research and development,” Mr Parker said.  “The partnership also provides challenging ‘real world’ projects for post graduate students.”

Prior to the forum, the Minister toured the new iNQ innovation centre at Central Village with local stakeholders.

“I must congratulate Townsville on the new innovation and startup space being developed,” Ms Enoch said.

“It’s a fantastic result from what I understand has been a concerted community effort over the past few years, and will prove to be a wonderful asset for Townsville.

“A big thank you must go to Townsville Enterprise Board Director Peter Honeycombe, who has generously donated use of this space for the benefit of the region’s startup community.

“It is this community spirit that will help create a culture change that values collaboration and celebrates entrepreneurships and innovation, and I look forward to seeing the ideas and outcomes that will flow from iNQ in the future.” 

Ms Enoch also welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement supporting innovation.

“Advance Queensland comprises a range of programs to support entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, businesses, researchers, and universities so we can grow our knowledge economy and

help create jobs for the future,” she said.

“It’s pleasing to see the Federal Government also committing to these sectors, with the release of their $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda earlier this week,” she said.

“This new enthusiasm will provide a unique opportunity for broader collaboration to take place and will help drive our Advance Queensland agenda even further.”

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

Media contact: Kim Lyell 0437 859987