Australia's Two Speed Economic Solution: A 2012 Digital Blueprint

Jan. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- We have the infrastructure, quite possibly the highest standard of living in the country, a world-class university and a young educated workforce with a natural understanding of future technologies, yet our region continues to stifle. Companies participating in the digital economy are thriving, whereas those who aren’t are finding themselves a step behind the rest.

But with other Australian regional centres such as Geelong and Townsville already making the switch to digital industry, never has it been more important to move quickly.

According to Rick Hoy, CEO of leading coast technology firm iApps, “If we do not improve our broadband infrastructure and upsell the regions talent to investors, then we could by-pass an industry that in some ways, is more profitable than the resources, mining and natural gas industry combined.”

Certainly more sustainable, iApps is one company that is exporting from the Sunshine Coast to the world, as their mobile software applications bring in clients from around the country and globe.

“The divergence in output and employment growth between the mining states (QLD & W.A) and rest of the country is not a new phenomenon and we’ve got to be one step ahead of our inter-regional competitors by securing investment and luring entrepreneurs here to the coast.

“Western Australia has been coined ‘the next California’ and I can see why. Much closer to Asia and our second office in India, the Perth wing of our company is certainly benefiting from their government and councils ability to act swiftly.”

An up and coming economic juggernaut, Western Australia and its ability to connect with 60% of the world’s population at the same time, will see Perths role in the Australian economy greatly increase.

Which is exactly the point of securing a digital economy here on The Sunshine Coast—location is entirely irrelevant, as the Internet connects us in ways that enable us to access entire markets in seconds.

“Trivial matters have incapacitated our communities ability to collectively progress alongside the states economic boom.

Whether it be party-political state rivalries, council bureaucracy, now has never been more important to re-align The Sunshine Coast’s economy as being more mobile, flexible, productive, open and diverse.”

Mr Hoy reaffirms that it is not only improved infrastructure that we need, but also that education is essential to achieve heightened prosperity and productivity.

“The University of the Sunshine Coast has reached the point of maturity whereby students who have moved here to study, are now educated, as well as settled down with friends.

“It is our duty therefore, to ensure that our region is suited for them to be able to participate in growing our economy, putting their skills sets to good use and not losing those skills to the cities.”

We’re exporting Sunshine Coast innovation to the world and it has never been more important for digital industries in the region to band together and support change.

“Geek towns are the new University towns and what were once bastions of intelligentsia have now been replaced with fashionable tech savvy men and women talking ideas," said Mr Hoy.

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iApps assist companies, organisations and industries of all sizes adapt to the digital economy, whilst empowering individuals and workplaces through enhanced business insight. With over 27 applications added to our public portfolio in 2011 alone—iApps is Australia's leading developer of Enterprise and Industry-Specific Mobile Applications. Visit our website here http://www.iapps.net.au/