Palaszczuk Government seeks innovative solutions to challenges

Published Wednesday, 26 July, 2017 at 09:13 AM

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

The Palaszczuk Government is providing funding for innovators to develop safe, reliable and cost-effective ways to improve point-of-door entry to public housing.

Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said today (Wednesday) solving this challenge will help improve and manage the changing of locks in Queensland’s public housing as tenants move in and out.

Ms Enoch said the Department of Housing and Public Works re-keys properties when tenants leave to maintain the security of incoming residents - at a cost of about $1 million a year.

“The challenge is part of round two of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, an Advance Queensland initiative that helps innovators secure government contracts to develop and test cutting-edge solutions to specific government challenges,” Ms Enoch said.

Funding of up to $250,000 is available for the feasibility stage and up to $500,000 for the proof of concept stage.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said solving the lock challenge will do more than save a significant amount of money.

“The challenge also takes into account the diverse needs of tenants and their support networks, so if a solution is found it would also improve access to safe, accessible and affordable homes across Queensland,” Mr de Brenni said.

“I see particular potential in this area to assist in making sure that seniors living in our homes are safe, secure and independent.”

Ms Enoch said this was just one of the challenges to be issued in SBIR round two, which opens today.

“The other challenges are equally important and include providing a technological solution that provides effective real time educational and therapy support for students with disability in rural and remote schools,” Ms Enoch said.

“The government is also challenging innovators to provide an affordable, automated monitoring system that will record all information required of commercial fishing operations and submit this in real time to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.”

Applicants to the SBIR retain any intellectual property they develop within the program, allowing them to take their solution to a broader market, grow their business, and create jobs.

“Government can be a lead customer of innovation – harnessing the power of new business models and technology while also creating opportunities for startups and small business to secure contracts,” Ms Enoch said.

Mr de Brenni said innovative procurement is an important part of delivering better services for Queenslanders and better value for taxpayers.

Six companies are working with the government to develop and test the feasibility of their proposed solutions to the challenges released in the SBIR pilot.

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government’s $420 million whole-of-government initiative, supporting jobs across a range of industry sectors.

For more information on SBIR, visit advance.qld.gov.au/sbir

ENDS

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