Sunshine Coast in world’s Top7 Intelligent Communities

Helimods owner and founder Will Shrapnel.

By Abbey Cannan

The Sunshine Coast has been recognised as one of the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2019, sharing the global spotlight with communities from Canada, Taiwan and the United States including Chicago.

The announcement made overnight by the Intelligent Community Forum in Quebec, Canada, acknowledges those communities which exemplify best practices in broadband deployment and use, workforce development, innovation, digital inclusion, sustainability and advocacy.

The only Australian city being named at this elite level, the Sunshine Coast is now a contender for the prestigious Intelligent Community of the Year title to be announced in New York in June.

Owner and founder of Sunshine Coast helicopter modification business, Helimods, Will Shrapnel said this award was testament to the phenomenal work being undertaken in the region.

“I believe the Sunshine Coast is capable of hosting the most advanced and technology-intensive industries in the world. I also believe that innovative and progressive companies that choose to invest in this region will gain an enduring and increasing competitive advantage over their city-only counterparts,” Mr Shrapnel said.