State grants back regional innovation hubs

Ten groups from Logan to Cairns will use $170,000 in Queensland Government grants to develop high-tech places where creative people can design and manufacture new products.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Queensland Hackerspaces grants will allow seven new hackerspaces to open around the state and three in the south-east to expand.

“These grassroots organisations will use their grants to foster creativity and build their local communities’ capacity for the jobs and industries of the future,” Mr Dick said.

“Their programs are strengthening regional Queensland’s advanced manufacturing skills and opening pathways to convert ideas into opportunities,” Mr Dick said.

“The grants will mean they can buy equipment such as fabrication machines and 3D printers, run workshops in advanced manufacturing skills, and encourage entrepreneurs and innovators to take the next step to turn their ideas into products.

“We are generating grassroots advanced manufacturing opportunities and equipping the sector for the future by developing accessible spaces where people can come to create advanced technologies and prototypes.”

Hackerspaces are a global movement that grew out of new technologies such as 3D printers and the availability of fabrication tools, where individuals and small businesses can come together to learn faster and exchange skills and capital.

“These spaces are places where the next generation can learn about DIY and the maker culture, acquire new knowledge and skills and inspire their passion for tech that could turn into a career in manufacturing,” Mr Dick said.

“Our manufacturers can go to hackerspaces to solve problems, source potential talent and broaden their skills in the high-tech world of advanced manufacturing.”

The Hackerspaces Grant program aims is an initiative of the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, released in December 2016.

“The Palaszczuk Government wants to ensure the $20.3 billion sector and Queensland advanced manufacturing companies continue to be globally competitive and innovative to generate the jobs of the future,” Mr Dick said.

Hackerspace $20,000 establishment grants have been awarded to The Makers Cairns, Split Spaces Mackay, Mackay Makerspace, Maleny Makers, SSC Makerspace Warana, The Arc Fortitude Valley and YFS (Substation 33) Kingston. Hackerspaces $10,000 expansion grants were awarded toHackerspace Brisbane at Eagle Farm, Ipswich Hackerspace and Gold Coast Techspace Inc Mudgeeraba.

ENDS

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