Palaszczuk Govt grants target manufacturing innovation

The Palaszczuk Government is targeting the next generation of Queensland’s innovators, problem solvers and makers with a new $450,000 grant program aimed at boosting jobs and creating new opportunities in advanced manufacturing through innovative community hubs.

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham today (Saturday, June 3) launched the Hackerspaces Grant at Brisbane’s first BrisMakerFest to support tech-minded Queenslanders with well-equipped spaces where they can create the products and jobs of the future.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting Queensland’s makers and entrepreneurs to realise their ideas,” Dr Lynham said.

“Groups or individuals can now apply for an establishment grant of $20,000 to get their vision of a new hackerspace off the ground and existing hackerspaces can apply for an expansion grant of $10,000 to improve the equipment and facilities available to their users.

“The Queensland Hackerspaces Grants will increase the effectiveness of ‘hackerspaces’ – informal places where people meet to share their interest in technology, tinker with tools, work on individual or shared projects, and learn from one another.

“Our manufacturers can go to hackerspaces to solve problems, source potential talent and increasingly involve the community in the high-tech world of advanced manufacturing.

“They’re also spaces where people, and especially young people, can learn about DIY and maker culture. That culture will equip them with knowledge, skills and a passion for tech that they could turn into a career in advanced manufacturing.

“The Queensland Hackerspaces Grant program is an important initiative of the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, released in December 2016.

“The Palaszczuk Government wants to ensure the $20.3 billion sector and Queensland advanced manufacturing companies continue to be globally competitive and innovative to generate the jobs of the future.”

Minister for Innovation Leeanne Enoch said events like BrisMakerFest were vital to ensure the pipeline of Queensland entrepreneurs were supported to make their mark.

“Innovation is critical to both emerging and traditional industries – including manufacturing and agriculture – to ensure Queensland remains at the forefront of a rapidly changing global economy,” Ms Enoch said.

“Advance Queensland is all about nurturing good ideas and encouraging entrepreneurs and innovators to take the next step in their development to create opportunities and produce skilled workers for our manufacturing and tech industries.”

Currently there are seven Hackerspaces operating in communities across Queensland.

For further information phone 13 QGOV (13 7468), email [email protected] or go to http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/hackerspaces