WHY GOOGLE WOULD LOVE THE SUNSHINE COAST

It’s absolutely no secret that digital is the way forward and investing in data and digital capabilities is crucial to the future success of an economy. The world is currently going through the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ which is centred on cyber-physical systems combining digital, physical and biological elements (we know this sounds confusing so you can read more about that here).

Recently we began to see how this can all evolve, through Mark Zuckerberg’s ‘Metaverse’. Two weeks ago Justin Bieber held a virtual concert where he interacted with the crowd as himself, by wearing a motion-capture suit. A perfect example of digital and physical worlds colliding.

Also last month Google announced its largest-ever investment in Australia – a $1 billion commitment to launch the Digital Future Initiative. We have said it before and we will no doubt say it again after this, but the Sunshine Coast is best placed in the country to take advantage of these technological advances.

So what is the Digital Future Initiative?

The $1 billion, 5-year investment is all about furthering Australian technology and talent. It will focus on three key areas:

It will help develop infrastructure to focus on cloud-based computing.
It aims to broaden opportunities for local tech talent including launching Google’s first research hub in Australia.
It plans to create new tech partnerships to help solve challenges. These include exploring clean energy options to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

When talking about the investment, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said “We believe a strong digital future is one where everyone has access to technology and the skills to use it, where the internet economy fulfils its immense potential, and Australia’s long tradition of innovation can grow and thrive.”

How will this impact the Sunshine Coast?

Well, thanks to infrastructure already set up on the Sunshine Coast and our ever-evolving Maroochydore CBD project, we believe the Sunshine Coast is the best placed region in the country to take advantage of Google’s investment.

If we look at the research hub Google plans to create, it’s all about building a team of researchers and engineers to:

• Help tackle important issues
• Create jobs
• Provide education and training

While it hasn’t been announced yet where it will be based, if suitable research is undertaken it is a no-brainer it should be on the Sunshine Coast. The Subsea Broadband Cable connected to Maroochydore provides the fastest international connection point from the east coast of Australia to Asia.

Sunshine Coast Council said it expects to “attract the attention of the world’s biggest data users and those looking for a location with superior telecommunications and data infrastructure” due to having the cable connected here.

The fact it plugs right into the Maroochydore CBD is another drawcard. What is being built there is like no other city in Australia. It’s breaking new ground when it comes to extensive use of technology such as:

• A high-speed, high-quality fibre optic network will be built into the new Maroochydore City Centre’s underground infrastructure.
• The network will allow free Smart City Wi-Fi throughout the city centre’s ‘public realm’ – streets, parks, and plazas.
• Smart signage will provide live travel information to pedestrians throughout the Central Business District.
• Smartphone apps will allow drivers to find the nearest car parking space quickly.
• Energy-saving LED lights will be installed throughout the Central Business District.
• The Maroochydore City Centre will be the first development in Australia to incorporate a CBD-scale underground automated waste collection system, making wheelie bins obsolete.

The best part is not only does the Sunshine Coast offer fast-speed data and a futuristic city aimed to attract major tech companies – this is all 5 minutes away from some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches…