Noosa Council has ditched plans to contract out management for the Digital Hub at Peregian Beach and will instead take on its management for the next two years and tender for an industry “curator” or co-ordinator.
The move comes after tenders for management of the hub exceeded the council’s financial expectations.
An initial priority for the new hub co-ordinator will include submitting a grant application to the Federal Government’s AusIndustry Incubator Support Fund which awards “grants of up to $500,000 to assist Australian start-ups develop the capabilities required to succeed in international markets”.
The council then plans to undertake an expression of interest (EOI) process “to attract tenants with a presence or interest in the technology sector.
“The EOI process is expected to result in a mixture of tenant types, including anchor tenants, fixed office space for small to medium enterprises and co-work members.”
The council’s Economic Development manager Anthony Dow said the council aimed to transition the hub into a stand-alone operation in the longer term.
The council’s Community Services director Alan Rogers said the construction phase had gone very well. The contractor, Hutchinson Builders, expects to have both the building to a lock-up stage and the new carpark completed by the end of January.
“Once we have completed the building’s shell we will concentrate on installation of services,” Mr Rogers said.
“This will include a very high speed fibre internet connection.
“We are also waiting on delivery of 112 solar panels that will generate 33 kilowatts of power with battery storage. This will help contribute towards council’s zero emissions goal.”
The council will finalise management and tenancy arrangements for the new digital hub at its ordinary meeting today.
The Digital Hub is expected to be operational by mid-2018.
For more information about tenancy opportunities phone Anthony Dow on 5329 6500 or visit yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au/peregian-your-say.
