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New green, clean industry to get a boost with Incubator

Maroochy Shire Council has demonstrated a serious commitment to boosting the Shire's economic and employment growth with the allocation of $500,000 to fund the development of a new Technology Incubator at Queensland's University of the Sunshine Coast.

It is envisaged that the Incubator will form the critical first element of what Council believes will be a technology park precinct for the Sunshine Coast Region. The allocation of Council funds follows the completion of a feasibility study into the establishment of a technology park, a study which was funded by Council earlier this year.

The Council's contribution of half a million dollars to fund the Technology Incubator is part of a collaborative arrangement with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the newly formed Sunshine Coast Regional Business Development Corporation.

The Incubator will be a "building block" towards the foundations this Shire needs to create new jobs and business opportunities for the longer term. It is also recognised, that as one of the peak bodies in the region, this Council has a part to play in putting these building blocks into place.

The incubator, which is to be developed within or adjacent to the University complex, will offer a range of accommodation to business start-ups at a rent, which recognises the particular income shortages faced by business in the initial period.

Apart from the provision of office accommodation and access to the latest technologies to support business, the Incubator will also include a mentoring program and professional business advice to the Incubator tenants. The clear themes of the Incubator are to focus on clean industries such as floriculture, aquaculture, plant breeding, design services and high technology

As part of the funding mix Council has joined with the University to submit an application for an additional $500,000 grant to the Federal Government to support operating costs for the Incubator.

It is planned that the Incubator will be managed by a separate entity including representatives from the Council, the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Regional Business Development Corporation.

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