Rockhampton Atlassian

Just over 12 months ago I suggested in this column developing a Youth Entrepreneurship Economic Zone as a game changer for CQ. A zone that encourages innovation and risk taking in industry particularly inspired and carried out by start-up’s run by local youth and youth drawn to such an environment. Recent developments may actually make this aspiration, by stages, reality; Rockhampton Regional Council commitment to establishing a Smart Hub on the riverfront and desire to be Australia’s first Smart Regional Centre, plus the federal government announcement last week to invest $1.1billion in an ‘ideas boom’ under Turnbull’s Innovation Statement. Add the Northern Australia White Paper, Rockhampton being the home base for Australia’s biggest regional university and the need to pro-actively address youth unemployment; the opportunity beckons. Focussing on creating a Youth Entrepreneurship Economic Zone arguably creates a point of difference from other regions and organisations who will be bidding for a share of the $1.1billion. If successful the region is likely to retain more of our youth upon completing their formal education and also attract others, helping our population to grow at a higher rate, creating a source of ‘new’ money circulating in the local economy. Risk of failure for these types of innovative ventures will be high, something government would traditionally shy away from. Recognition though that the resource sector is not going to be the economic driver and employment generator it once was, risk has to be accepted as part of a plan to adapt to post mining boom economy. We need to move quickly beyond free Wi-Fi on the riverbank (if we haven’t already); a collaborative effort between Council, CQUniversity, Cap. Enterprise, etc., is needed to document such a broad vision to present to the federal government, ‘Angel’ investors and youth with innovative ideas. It is a cultural change, something arguably not expected from the Beef Capital, but how it demonstrates a Youth Entrepreneurship Economic Zone can benefit beef, food production, clean renewable energy production, transportation, education, purifying toxic water, etc., while not only employing youth but having them turn their ideas into reality hopefully will be the idea that win’s necessary funding and incentives for its creation. Imagine the next Atlassian having its roots in Rockhampton; it is possible if we strive for it.