Smart City Framework brings Coast's future to life

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson launched the Smart City Framework at the Maroochy Surf Club today, bringing the future to life with a demonstration of interactive displays.

Seen as a key competitive advantage for the Sunshine Coast, the Smart City Framework illustrates how smart, integrated technologies can support growth, encourage new investment and improve everyday access to information and services in the region.

Most importantly, the Smart City Framework is designed to help make the Sunshine Coast even more liveable, workable and sustainable.

Mayor Jamieson said today marked another significant point in the progress towards the creation of a strong regional economy, with a focus on digital innovation.

“This is an exciting time in the history of the Sunshine Coast and the Smart City Framework will – along with our other game changer projects – help to position this region as one of the leading locations within Australia,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“In a short time, the Sunshine Coast has already developed a strong reputation for digital innovation through Google and Smart Communities awards.

“But as a region, we knew we could go further and do better.

“We have looked closely at what other leading global cities like Songdo, Chicago, London, Amsterdam and Barcelona have been doing and then developed a custom designed framework that will provide the solutions that will offer our residents, visitors and businesses truly outstanding experiences and opportunities.

“In the coming years, as we implement this Framework, our region will easily be recognised as a digital leader in Australia and competitive with many other cities and regions globally.

“We will have created a smart city and a smart region – and one that is focussed on being Australia’s most sustainable region – vibrant, green diverse.”

The launch today provided a first-hand opportunity for more than 100 people to see demonstrations of the new technology that underpins the Sunshine Coast Smart City Framework.

Some of the key technologies demonstrated included modern parking technology, improved WiFi across the region and smart lighting in major urban areas.

“As these technology solutions are rolled out, not only will we gain a reputation as an outstanding location for innovative business, but we will also be adding significantly to the quality of life of our residents.”

“Council is already implementing elements of the Smart City Framework, with funding allocated for smart solutions to be built into the new Maroochydore CBD, a dedicated resource in Council to drive the implementation of the Framework across the region and a pilot App to provide the community with access to the benefits of Smart City solutions.

“In addition, the Living Lab centred in Caloundra is well underway and this is where we will test the technology solutions and their compatibility before we deploy across the wider region.

“Council is also looking to utilise the data collected by the Remondis rubbish collection vehicles every week, to inform our 3D modelling, planning and systems and service design.”

The Smart City Framework was co-created by Telstra, Cisco and Sunshine Coast Council based on a methodology that Cisco developed and refined through numerous global projects.

Telstra’s Smart Communities Specialist, Merrick Spain, said the Sunshine Coast region had enormous potential to leverage advances in technology to support the changing ways people live, work and play.

“The Smart City Framework is a blueprint for a brilliant Sunshine Coast and we are proud to have been part of its development,” Mr Spain said.

“Embedding smart technologies in the region can improve our quality of life, economic development, environmental sustainability and community .”

Local Chambers of Commerce will also be encouraged to promote the new services and technologies and highlight their potential and accessibility (as they become available) to residents and businesses alike.

Mayor Jamieson urged the Sunshine Coast community to find out more about the Smart City Framework by accessing eBrochure to explore the plethora of opportunities which will be available to residents and businesses .

For more information on the Smart City Framework and to download the Smart City eBrochure, visit the website at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/smartcities.