Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s ideal for the creation of local space opportunities

Three South East Queensland coastal regions are being talked up as the ideal settings for local space opportunities.

Gilmour Space Technologies has delayed the launch of its Eris rocket from a space station near the northern Queensland town of Bowen.

Australia’s first orbital launch attempt may be on hold but regional Queensland is pushing ahead with business opportunities in the space industry.

Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast (RDAMBSC) has announced Space + Place – a pilot program to develop new resilient and complex aeronautic economies.

The Australian National University and Gunggandji Aerospace are involved in the program that aims to identify opportunities, build a social licence for regional space industry development; enhance the STEM workforce pipeline and leverage existing infrastructure.

RDA AMBSC chairman Gavin Keeley.

RDAMBSC chair Gavin Keeley (illustrated) says: “Early indicators already suggest that Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s geographic, social and demographic strengths provide the ideal setting for the creation of local space opportunities.”

It’s a big year for space in Australia. Gilmour Space Technologies hopes to launch its 23m Eris rocket from outside Bowen later this year while Sydney will host the International Astronautical Congress in September which is expected to attract 10,000 delegates.

Expansion

Egis, a leading global architectural, consulting, construction engineering, operations, and mobility services firm that operates in 100 countries, has appointed Brisbane-based Kate Drews to the newly created role of chief executive for Asia Pacific.

The appointment follows France-based Egis’ investment in the Australia, including through its recent acquisitions of engineers Engeny and Peracon which have Brisbane offices.

Drews brings over 25 years of experience in sector and was previously regional head at

Surbana Jurong Group.

Egis chief executive for Asia Pacific Kate Drews.

Egis’ global CEO Laurent Germain says Drews appointment supports the Group’s strategic growth in the region, with a particular focus on opportunities presented in southeast Queensland as it prepares for the 2032 Olympics.

“We see strong growth opportunities throughout Asia Pacific, particularly in markets where there are emerging infrastructure requirements,” he says.

“As the Brisbane 2032 Olympics approach, we see opportunities in southeast Queensland where we can apply the invaluable experience we gained through our role as the engineering consulting partner for the Paris Olympics.”

Aged care

Construction has begun at the high-end Rockpool Northshore Hamilton, a $70m aged care home overlooking the Brisbane River.

Rockpool is a privately owned Australian business co-founded by Bill Summers and Michael Watson, and Hamilton will be their fifth aged care home.

Chief executive Melissa Argent says Rockpool Northshore Hamilton aims to redefine the quality and standard of aged care available in Brisbane.

The 153-bed home will be comprised of thoughtfully designed and built communities which

will each support between 15-30 rooms.

It will also include walking tracks, an on-site laundry, landscaped gardens, outdoor BBQs, a purpose-built hobby shed, a hair and beauty salon, and a fully equipped wellness and vitality centre once construction is completed.

An artist's impression of Rockpool Northshore Hamilton.

Lunch

We hear that Colliers’ annual Queensland Residential Developer Event drew a full house last week, as industry heavyweights gathered to hear Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie declare Queensland “open for business”.

Bleijie opened the event with a nod to recent policy shifts and a bullish outlook for the state’s future – earning strong applause from a crowd eager for clarity and momentum.

Joining him on stage was a heavyweight panel featuring Urbis partner Ben Slack, Mirvac’s Andrew Bradford and Consolidated Properties’ James MacGinley, who shared - what we hearde - some pretty sharp insights on development and construction trends across the state.

Originally published as Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s ideal for the creation of local space opportunities