Cleantech conference recognises emerging Coast industry

Visitors from interstate and overseas will see why the Sunshine Coast is well on the way to being the natural home for clean technology and renewable energy businesses when they attend the Clean Futures Conference at the Innovation Centre this Friday, 28 October.
The second annual Clean Futures Conference is being staged by Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with the cleantech industry, the Innovation Centre and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Portfolio Councillor Lew Brennan said the Sunshine Coast is currently home to the third-highest concentration of clean technology and renewable energy businesses in Queensland – and growing every day.
“Council has been working closely with Cleantech Industries Sunshine Coast to help build the capabilities of the industry and showcase its expertise to the rest of Australia and beyond,” Cr Brennan said.
“The cleantech industry on the Sunshine Coast is vibrant, entrepreneurial and has so much to offer – and we aren’t prepared to hide our light under a bushel.
“Last month I led council’s first investment mission to Melbourne, focused on attracting investment in the clean technology and renewable energy sector to the region.
“The companies we met with were absolutely blown away with what we have to offer in this region and some of these companies will be attending the Clean Futures Conference this week to get a first hand experience of why the Sunshine Coast is an ideal location to establish or expand your cleantech business,” Cr Brennan said.
The region is home to more than 130 cleantech and renewable energy businesses across a range of sub-sectors servicing residential, commercial and business customers in regional, national and international markets.
The conference is set to bring together entrepreneurs, experts and advisors from across Australia and overseas in a full-day, “building your bottom line” opportunity which opens the doors on the global clean technology industry.
Council’s support of this conference is just one part of how council is working to build a more resilient economy. Expanding investment in clean technology and renewable energy and showcasing the opportunities to do so is one way council is seeking to diversify the economic base of the region.
Bruce Napier, Chairman, Cleantech Industries of the Sunshine Coast, will open the conference.
“Our industry is an emerging player here on the Coast,” he said.
“We have many of the elements of cleantech here, and this conference is part of the shaping and development of the industry’s capacity in the region.
“The cleantech industry contributes to the region’s sustainability objectives by encouraging businesses and consumers to reduce their carbon footprint, while at the same time generating employment opportunities for the people who live here,” Mr Napier said.