Council rolls out milestone new-look waste collection service for a cleaner, greener Sunshine Coast
A new era of waste collection for the Sunshine Coast is here, as Queensland-based, family-owned company JJ’s Waste & Recycling took over the region’s waste collection services from July 9. The milestone also coincides with the start of Sunshine Coast Council’s expanded garden organics collection service, which will see an additional 45,000 households recycling their garden waste. This new contract and expanded garden organics service will deliver on the Sunshine Coast Waste Strategy; council’s goals for a circular economy for waste; and our goal to be a zero net emissions organisation by 2041.
The way we view waste is changing
Growing our circular economy is a low cost and the most effective way to improve sustainability, financial benefit and reduce our carbon footprint.
Council has invested in a license for all businesses, community and sport groups, schools, childcare centres, etc to have free access to ASPIRE – the region’s specialised “business to business” circular economy platform.
Join hundreds of other local businesses and organisations using ASPIRE as we collectively reduce our region’s carbon footprint.
Your organisation is invited to join the regional circular economy ecosystem via a free and easy to use platform called ASPIRE, all you need is:
An ABN and up to 100 full time staff
A desire to reduce waste to landfill, receive lower cost and more sustainable inputs (cost savings) and improve your carbon footprint (better for environment).
Registration is open for the Thriving Through Change business expo which will focus on supporting business resilience and growth. The expo takes place on 23 August 2022, from 3 - 7:30pm at Venue 114. Over 35 exhibitors from industry, government and education and a program of speakers, including a keynote, will provide insight, advice and resources to help create opportunity for your business. Seek, listen, meet and connect with the network of business support on the Sunshine Coast. REGISTER HERE
Supported by Council and Advance Queensland, the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) are looking for local leaders, innovators, problem solvers, risk takers and forward thinkers to be part of developing the FAN Sunshine Coast Regional Action Plan.
The plans will be developed over two workshops with a focus on growing a strong and resilient food and agribusiness industry on the Sunshine Coast. Workshops will be delivered in a hybrid model both in-person or virtual.
FAN value your contribution in shaping the future directions of the food and beverage industry for the Sunshine Coast.
Meet the Female Makers
Friday 29 July, 11:30am-3pm
The Lakehouse Sunshine Coast
In this special event as part of The Curated (side) Plate, FAN joins forces with the Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network to present Meet the Female Makers - a celebration of our region's dynamic, passionate, innovative and creative food and beverage producers.
Meet and hear the inspiring stories of Roz White (White's IGA), Kirra Daley (Beachtree Distilling) and Kristina Kucan (Silver Tongue Foods) and a selection of other amazing female makers and growers - MCed by Emma Greenhatch FAN CEO (and 2021 Sunshine Coast Business Woman of the Year) and Min Swan SCBWN President.
Discover more exciting events presented as part of The Curated (side) Plate - an initiative from Sunshine Coast Council - proudly supported by FAN.
The Sunshine Coast’s 7th annual Startup Weekend will bring together more than 100 designers, developers, students, creatives and business people for 54 hours of hands-on entrepreneurship.
The Startup Weekend will focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Innovators will gather to create solutions to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
This boot camp will be running for 54 hours, giving innovators a framework and mentorship to transform an idea into reality, with team formation, user research, prototyping and pitching to investors.
Sunshine Coast Council are proudly sponsoring the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Forward Festival
26 – 30 September 2022
USC Innovation Centre & Venue 114
Forward Fest is a five-day festival that connects 1500+ world-class researchers, government, NFP’s, small business owners, intrapreneurs and higher degree students through networking and learning.
Hosted by Silicon Coast, the event will focus on three distinct themes: Innovation & Tech, Customer Experience & Marketing and Skills of the Future across 29 tracks explored through keynotes, panel discussions, interactive workshops, debates, demonstrates and social events.
Aimed at transforming how small businesses operate, Forward Fest seeks to unlock the capacity of intrapreneurs; an innovator within an organisation who creates, develops, validates and delivers new product, service or process innovations through collaborations within the innovation ecosystem.
Insight, learning and relationship outcomes will stimulate business innovation, increase business growth addressing economic recovery and enhance employment opportunities across South East Queensland.
There are also opportunities to be a PARTNER or SPEAKER at this event.
Top ideas commended at Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards
Suncoast Christian College took out the top prize at the 2022 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards for their Bird Bell innovative idea.
Bird Bell is a discreet bird deterrent that will prevent injuries from the likes of swooping magpies and promote safety and wellbeing for sporting enthusiasts, picnic lovers and more, through a device that emits a high frequency, undetected by the human ear.
These outstanding students shared in over $10,000 worth of technology prizes for themselves and their school as well as personalised trophies.
Also, as winners this year, Suncoast Christian College students will receive an exclusive ‘money can’t buy’ mentoring experience – a first for the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards. Read more
Race to the finish line for local students at RoboRAVE Australia
Twenty Sunshine Coast teams have battled it out at the RoboRAVE Australia annual robotics competition at the University of the Sunshine Coast, with ten of those teams from seven local schools* winning across 15 divisions.
Teams from Baringa State School, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Chancellor State College, Peregian Springs State School, Mountain Creek High School, Caloundra Christian College and St Andrews Anglican College were crowned for their entries in the popular competition.
The energy was electric as students, aged eight to 20 representing 363 teams from across Queensland, yesterday (July 17) raced to design, build and program fully autonomous robots to compete in the challenges for each division. Read more
International Education Delegates Tour the Sunshine Coast
Study Sunshine Coast was delighted to host international delegates last week to showcase why the Sunshine Coast is the ideal destination for students to live, learn and kick start their future. The delegate group spent two days on the Sunshine Coast visiting various education, industry and tourism businesses. Read more
Council’s Major Grants program is now open
We are looking to fund projects that show strong economic leadership collaboration, that are creative or innovative. The Economic Development category supports projects, events and activities that encourage and support local community organisations to contribute positively to improve the economic performance and prosperity of their local community.
The last major grant round in March funded a number of projects:
Cleantech Industries Sunshine Coast Inc received funding for a TEDx Conference
Coolum Business and Tourism Inc used funding for Phase 2 of Drive to Shop Local - Sunny Coast Cash Consumer roll out
Round Two of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program is now open for a period of six weeks. It will close at 4:00 pm (AEST) on Wednesday 17 August 2022.
Applications must be submitted via the EMDG Online Portal. Please note you need a Digital Identity (myGovID) to apply. And when you do apply there is now a small change to the way you access myGovID. This is because the EMDG portal is transitioning to the Australian Government Digital Identity System.
You can find more information on our website at How to apply.
A video to help you with your application will be available soon and there will an EMDG webinar to help you with questions.
