London: The Queensland Government and Queensland University of Technology are planning to develop a high-tech education and creative industries precinct at Kelvin Grove, Premier Peter Beattie announced today.The plan was revealed at a meeting with senior officials from Britain's National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).
"Britain set up NESTA to encourage the growth of creative industries in the UK," Mr Beattie said. "Creative industries comprise a sector of the knowledge economy in which creative inputs are as important as information and technology.
"They include commercial enterprises, such as Internet and broadcast media, computer games and animation, based on performance, writing, design and production.
"I am determined that Queensland will be Australia's Smart State and that means we must encourage the development of creative industries such as digital and interactive production, new online and e-commerce services, and new electronic art forms.
"Industries such as these will help provide thousands of long-term, new-age jobs for Queenslanders and further diversify the Queensland economy.
"The Queensland Government will invest $15M in this bold plan to create tomorrow's new industries and jobs.
"It is yet another example of our partnership with the private sector and higher education to bring together research, development and the commercialisation of ideas in order to provide high-tech job opportunities.
"It forges alliances between QUT's creative arts and academic research, and industry in an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
"This concept has been very successful overseas in growing smart sustainable industries and is what I have talked about with NESTA.
"Queensland already has a well-developed digital, cultural and recreational services industries, particularly in the areas of design, film and television, and the performing arts.
"This initiative will provide further stimulus to these already vibrant and increasingly important sectors.
"We now need to focus on exploiting the convergence of new media with our existing culture and recreational industries.
"An opportunity is now being grasped to give emerging sectors a focus and added identity.
"The precinct is intended to act as a catalyst in achieving jobs growth particularly in small-to-medium-sized enterprises.
"The strength of the Kelvin Grove precinct will be its ability to develop synergies between creative content and high-tech delivery.
"This will provide opportunities to support small and medium business development opportunities for the commercialisation of research and development undertaken in the precinct.
"The precinct will have links to other education providers including joint programs with schools, particularly Kelvin Grove High School and TAFE, as well as with other technology and cultural initiatives in the State, and with private providers and government agencies.
"The plan involves several companies or government agencies coming forward to develop facilities as part of the precinct.
"Along with QUT and other local land holders we are discussing the possibility of developing a new urban village precinct across an aggregated site with a mix of educational, residential and commercial activities.
"Master planning of the site has started and a comprehensive business plan is currently being developed by QUT in conjunction with the Department of State Development."
Work on an intensive period of master planning is expected to start in August and be completed within 6-10 weeks ready for presentation to Cabinet.
NESTA was launched a year ago with the objective of assisting individuals develop ideas and concepts into commercial propositions and to raise public awareness of science, technology and the arts.
Further information on the Creative Industries precinct can be found at its website - creative.qut.edu.au
"I encourage everyone to look at this site which was developed by current students in the Communication Design course at QUT," Mr Beattie said.
Further information: 61 7 3224 4500
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