Hack your way to greatness in 2017

Do you have a great idea that could make the Sunshine Coast an even better place to live? If so, Hackfest 2017 wants you!

Now in its third year, Hackfest is all about creating solutions for a smarter region. You don’t have to be a computer whiz to make a mark at the three-day event, just turn up with a big idea and let your powers of innovation run free.

To help get the creative juices flowing, an ‘IdeasFest’ will be held on Tuesday, November 14 from 7pm at the Hive Business Space, which overlooks the site where the new Maroochydore CBD is taking shape. Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Stephen Robinson said IdeasFest would serve as an appetiser to Hackfest 2017 on November 24-26.

“In previous years we’ve held IdeasFest at the same time as Hackfest but this time we’re making it a stand-alone event to generate even more momentum and excitement for the main event a week later,” Cr Robinson said.

“It’ll be an opportunity for absolutely anyone and everyone to come along and share their great ideas or solutions to problems they see in our community. Anyone who submits an idea will be able to view and make comments on other ideas that have been submitted.

“Most of the ideas will go on display at the Hackfest launch night and will be in contention to be one of our winning entrants in 2017.”

“So you don’t have to be a technology expert or a coding whiz to get involved in Hackfest. You just have to bring along your biggest and best ideas and see where they can go!”

That’s exactly what Adam and Allison Roth did to take top honours in Hackfest 2016.

The Mountain Creek couple combined their love for live music with the frustration of not being able to find out who’s playing when and where to create an innovative app called ‘Coast Live!’, which is now publicly available on Google Play for Android smartphone.

“We’d found it tough to keep track of everything going on in the local music scene so we decided an app was needed to provide a one-stop-shop for people to find out who’s playing when and where,” Allison said.

“Our app brings comprehensive data about upcoming gigs around the Coast to everyone’s smartphone.”

An interactive app, titled Lucky Dip, which focuses on activities on the Sunshine Coast and lets the user select what they want to do, at what type of location as well as how far they are happy to travel, was last year’s overall runner-up and winner of the smartest use of open data award.

Third place went to Light Trails, an interactive light display which used Wi-Fi data to change the colour of a lighting display as the user moves through a park or building. It also won two categories prizes - Smartest Innovation and Smartest Interaction.

Hackfest 2017 participants will again have access to open data information from council as well as State and Federal governments. Cr Robinson said Hackfest closely aligns with council’s Smart City Framework, which includes the Maroochydore CBD, one of the world’s most innovative and technologically modern cities.

“We’re progressing towards the Coast having the latest in global technologies for lighting, waste, parking, assets and other infrastructure and services to enhance the lives of our residents and visitors through this new Maroochydore CBD,” Cr Robinson said.

Sunshine Coast Council Hackfest 2017 will officially run from 5pm on Friday, November 24 to 6pm on Sunday, November 26.

An opening night event will be held at The Hive which will be a great chance for individual hackers looking to form a team to meet up and start hacking. Hackfest is free to enter and prizes include a paid three-month ICT internship with council valued at $9,000. Other prizes will be announced closer to the start of the event.

To register or send in your idea for the hackers, email [email protected] or go to https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Experience-Sunshine-Coast/Events/HackFest