A digital futures plan for the Moreton Bay Region May 2013 This strategy has been prepared by Explor Consulting Pty Ltd for Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay Inc, the Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Queensland Government. Explor Consulting is the leader in digital futures consulting. We help communities and their governments to plan and build better futures, taking advantage of the opportunities of digital technologies and broadband services. Explor works with governments and organisations at all levels: local, regional, state, territory, provincial and national. We provide advice, we help develop digital strategies, we facilitate the funding and initiation of projects and we provide management assistance. Explor’s people have unique insights into how digital technologies and broadband services can be exploited to support economic, social and environmental development. A digital futures plan for the Moreton Bay Region – a report by Explor Consulting Pty Ltd Table of contents A digital futures plan ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 About this plan ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 The Moreton Bay Region ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Digital technologies offer great opportunities ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Building the digital future .............................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Making it happen ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 References ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 A digital futures plan for the Moreton Bay Region – a report by Explor Consulting Pty Ltd • Safe neighbourhoods A digital futures plan • Healthy and supportive communities • Strong local governance The Moreton Bay Region in South East Queensland (SEQ) • Healthy natural environment comprises diverse communities, landscapes and businesses. • Diverse transport options Since 2008, the Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) has been • Quality recreation and cultural opportunities. the single local government authority for the region and is the third largest local government by population in Australia. Digital technologies can help the region achieve these goals. Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay Incorporated The Moreton Bay Region also has three specific priorities which (RDA Moreton Bay) is also an important contributor to the can be particularly addressed with digital technologies: region’s economic, social and environmental development. Transforming work patterns: A high priority for the Moreton Digital technologies, including the National Broadband Network Bay Region is to significantly improve the level of employment (NBN), present new opportunities for developing the region. self containment and to reduce the number of residents This document is a digital futures plan for the Moreton Bay commuting out of the region each day. Region, prepared to enable the people and businesses of the region to capitalise on these opportunities. RDA Moreton Bay Strengthening the economy: Many existing businesses in the and its funding partners the Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Region face challenges and threats due to global the Queensland Government commissioned Explor Consulting market conditions, the strength of the Australian Dollar and the to prepare the plan. disruptions arising from new technologies. The economic profile of the region, with a large manufacturing sector, means The economic, social and environmental future that the region is particularly vulnerable. The Moreton Bay Regional Council, RDA Moreton Bay and the Connecting varied communities: The Moreton Bay Region is broader community have been working to identify their extensive, made up of many different communities with their aspirations and preferred futures through plans such as the own identities and heritages. A challenge for the region is to Moreton Bay Region Community Plan 2011–2021. That plan has harness the power, connections and efficiencies of a large identified clear goals for the region’s future: region with a single strong local government authority, while • Local jobs for residents preserving and celebrating the identities of the diverse local places and communities. • Well-planned growth • Digital literacy and commerce A digital futures plan for the Moreton Bay Region – a report by Explor Consulting Pty Ltd 1 The digital future Strategies for creating the digital future This plan proposes a vision for the Moreton Bay Region’s This plan proposes 6 digital technology strategies: future, enhanced by broadband and digital technologies: 1 Lead and position The Moreton Bay Region should embrace and promote a The Moreton Bay Region will be a thriving region of as a digital region vision and goals for its digital future, and commit to a clear set of actions to achieve these. Sound management opportunity where people and businesses in the diverse arrangements should be put in place with allocated communities confidently use digital technologies to connect responsibilities and resources. within and beyond the region to support prosperous, 2 Create connected The region should act to ensure that the diverse sustainable and vibrant lifestyles. communities communities are provided with the digital infrastructure (including broadband services) that forms the foundation The following goals are proposed to support this vision: of a digital future. There should be suitable programs to provide residents of all ages and backgrounds with digital Capable The people of the Moreton Bay Region will have the confidence, capabilities and literacy. Communities should be supported to create digital resources (including local people capability and access to use digital technologies to support fulfilling, creative, healthy and socially connected lives. online information) that promote their localities and help their residents to have healthy, safe and sustainable Connected The region’s communities will actively use digital technologies to lifestyles. communities promote and celebrate their localities to residents and visitors. 3 Transform work The region should promote, broker and support flexible Transformed A higher proportion of residents will work within the region patterns work patterns (such as tele-working) supported by digital work through the availability of digitally equipped working spaces in technologies. These should include home based working “tele-centres” and in their own homes. and working in “third spaces” such as tele-centres. Thriving The region’s economy will be thriving and diversifying as existing 4 Build business The region should drive practical programs to build the economy and new businesses use digital technologies to grow their capacity confidence and capacity of businesses, particularly market shares, to improve productivity, to enhance their smaller businesses, for using digital technologies. These knowledge resources and to build new networks of suppliers and programs should include a mix of awareness raising, partners. information resources and targeted advice. Social Social disadvantage and isolation will be reduced by using online 5 Stimulate The region should strengthen the innovation environment inclusion services to better connect people, improve the delivery of innovation for businesses through measures that stimulate new community services and help provide people with basic skills. attitudes, new ideas and new collaborations. Environmental Lifestyles will be more sustainable and the understanding of the 6 Enhance The Moreton Bay Regional Council and other government sustainability region’s natural assets and ecosystems will be higher, through government and and community services providers should enhance and the use of digital technologies, online information resources and integrate their services by using digital technologies in smart infrastructure. community services ways that broaden access, improve service quality and Access to The people and businesses of the region will have improved reduce delivery costs. access to education, health and other services, delivered services efficiently using digital technologies. A digital futures plan for the Moreton Bay Region – a report by Explor Consulting Pty Ltd 2 About this plan Digital technologies including broadband services can help regions to create better futures, realise their visions and pursue their priorities. The most successful regions are those that adopt a strategic approach, with projects and actions that match their unique local characteristics and opportunities. That is why RDA Moreton Bay partnered with the Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Queensland