Innovate Moreton Bay is encouraging local innovators to hack into Moreton Bay Region Council’s open data to create new solutions for three regional challenges at the annual GovHack event from 20-22 August.
GovHack is the largest open data hackathon in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. Hosted by USC Moreton Bay, the event is open to people of all abilities and challenges them to make productive use of the wealth of open data available in everyday life.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said Council enthusiastically supported this initiative as part of its ambition to give the region a competitive advantage in the digital age.
“We want to engage people of all ages and get them thinking about how they can solve tomorrow’s problems today, using government data,” he said.
“This competition pits locals against the best hackers in Australia and New Zealand, and they’ll be competing against people working in government, industry and academia as well as students.
“No experience in open data is required, just a passion to contribute to a solution.
“It is free to participate, come along and join a team and take a crack at one of the challenges to win prizes.”
A group of Moreton Bay business, education and government collaborators including Moreton Bay Regional Council and USC have created three challenges for this year’s event:
Ideas could include using Internet of Things (IoT) data to understand how Council facilities are used, what influences use of parks and pathways and how this might help local businesses, new technologies, and business ideas for the future.
Ideas could include tracking and monitoring the health of our koalas, circular economy solutions, and climate change mitigation strategies.
Ideas could include ready supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for socio-economic disadvantaged groups, art trails, professional development and skills building.
Mayor Flannery said knowledge and innovation was a key pillar of the new Regional Economic Development Strategy, with a specific focus on developing young people’s entrepreneurial abilities.
“I wish them the very best of luck in this competition and hope they bring home a win for Moreton Bay Region.”
WHEN: 20-22 August 2021
WHERE: University of the Sunshine Coast, Foundation building, Petrie
COST: Free
REGISTER: hackerspace.govhack.org/events/moreton_bay_physical_queensland
GovHack is an international competition for people of all abilities who seek to make life better through open data (non-sensitive data that can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone). Across one weekend, thousands come together to form teams, agree projects, and participate in what has become one of the world’s largest open data competitions.
Knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship is one of the four pillars of the REDS which will drive a bigger and bolder region and a brighter future for residents. Our region’s future will be brighter by focusing on our growth and talent and making Moreton Bay region one of the top 10 regional knowledge and innovation hubs in Australia.
Moreton Bay Regional Council's DataHub is a public platform for exploring and visualising location based open data across categories such as disaster management, infrastructure, recreation, waste, planning and development, environmental, administrative.
Council holds data sets about local government activities including strategic planning, environmental, asset management, financial, community services and libraries. While this data is produced as a direct result of Council operations, it could potentially be used by others to provide new and innovative services.