It's not what you do but how you do it

The international broadband submarine cable is among a host of innovations the Sunshine Coast is using as it becomes a player on the world stage.

The Sunshine Coast international broadband submarine cable landing site at Maroochydore. Picture: Erle Levey

THERE'S something happening here ....we've sensed it for some time but couldn't necessarily see it. That's because most of the activity is taking place underground or in the air.

Yet the rate of change on the Sunshine Coast is taking place before our eyes and it's an exponential change. Not just generational but life changing.

The Maroochydore CBD will reflect the Sunshine Coast's image as a world smart city. Picture: Scharp

The region has long been admired for its climate, its environment, the ocean and beaches. But now it is being admired for how we do things. Healthier, smarter.

And we are about to get a whole lot smarter.

Speaking at the Innovation Centre, Sunshine Coast Smart City lead Michael Whereat highlighted the benefits that come with doing not just good things for a good work-life balance but what is good for the natural environment, the built environment and the economy.

Mr Whereat, a special guest on this week's Sunshine Coast Daily real estate podcast, said a smarter Sunshine Coast would be a more sustainable Sunshine Coast.

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/topic/realestate-podcast/

And with the initiative has come many awards, including being one of the seven finalists in the World Smart Cities to be announced in New York this Thursday/Friday, June 13/14.

At the awards the Sunshine Coast will be up against communities from Canada, Taiwan and the United States. Included will be Chicago, a city with greater population than Australia.

The Sunshine Coast Council is working on defining how to best to maximise the benefits of smart thinking to build a smart region.

Being a smart city means we are using a whole bunch of different types of electronic Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors to collect data before using collected information to manage assets and resources efficiently.

"The Sunshine Coast is an exciting place to be,'' Mr Whereat said. "It's one of most dynamic areas in Australia in way of innovation.

"We are seeing green shoots of opportunity. We have the newest airport, the newest greenfield city, the newest teaching hospital and will have the international broadband submarine cable.

"Lots of great things are come into play.''

Among the innovative approach is sensors you can touch and feel, like the human body, to manage rubbish collection - just like the availability monitors for car parking.

Sensors will also be used for managing water use in public spaces, understanding micro climates around the region.

Smart thinking will analyse infrastructure to get the best outcomes such as people and traffic flow, automatic waste disposal, and evaluating the best lighting systems.

In a digital age optic fibre will be an important value. Fifteeen internet solutions have been built into the new CBD including optic fibre to all lots.

The submarine cable will provide fast connection to Asia. The ship laying the cable is due in late November-early December.

Mr Whereat said the contract was for one cable but preparations were being made for two, so the Sunshine Coast would be the alternative to Sydney to serve the east coast of Australia.

"The worst thing is for a cable to come here and go straight to Brisbane.

"We don't want that. We want business to come here.

"If we can bring it closer to you the benefits will be greater.''

The Sunshine Coast international broadband submarine cable landing site at Maroochydore. Picture: Erle Levey

Originally published as It's not what you do but how you do it