Smart Precinct NQ

Smart Precinct NQ brings together diverse efforts into cohesive, community-led innovation systems, linking entrepreneurs, researchers, and industries to accelerate progress. Through collaboration, we build the capability that makes regional businesses stronger, industries more adaptive, and communities more resilient. Creating lasting impact, for people, place, and prosperity. Check out our Smart Precinct NQ Annual Impact Report 2024 – 2025 through the link below that reflects this work. https://bit.ly/4nE3hTE

After 18 months of working with incredible Townsvilleans through the social and local procurement project, Q-SEED, we’re inviting the community to co-create a locally owned Impact Procurement Framework - a blueprint for creating impact through procurement across the region. This isn’t a top-down consultant led strategy, Q-SEED has been a community-led process (Smart Precinct NQ, CQUniversity Townsville Campus) shaped by local voices, values, and aspirations; with ArcBlue providing nationwide experience and expertise in building on successful local procurement projects. I’m co-facilitating this session with Sara Brown from the Social Impact Lab at CQUniversity, and we’re designing the workshop to identify and name connections, and capacity needed to make procurement work for Townsvilleans. 📅 Thursday 20th November 2025 🕘 9:30am – 1:30pm 📍 Smart Precinct NQ, 143 Walker Street 🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gn_n8886 This workshop is for: -Procurement professionals across sectors -Government (local, state, federal) -SMEs and social enterprises -First Nations businesses -Anyone passionate about shaping Townsville’s sustainable future We know that local leadership and continuity are key. Townsville has seen promising initiatives in social enterprise and procurement, but without a locally embedded, resourced connector, momentum often fades when project funding ends. This session is a starting point, not a finish line. We’ll draw on insights from Q-SEED’s earlier phases, including the CQU's research, the Tender Ready Program, and create space for honest conversations about supply chain readiness, buyer engagement, and long-term accountability. Q-SEED has been funded by Queensland Government and The John Villiers Trust #ProcurementForGood Elisabeth Lette ✦ Cassandra Cazzulino ✦ Sara Brown Francois Gallais Petra M. Shelley Grainger Caitlin Midson Olav Muurlink Ruby Smith

It’s been a big few days in Brisbane connecting with some incredible people who are all passionate about building regional Queensland. Feeling really proud to share what we’ve been doing in Townsville, leveraging local strengths, supporting businesses to grow and become more resilient, and supporting innovation to commercialise. These businesses and ideas are the future pipeline and talent for our region. It’s been great to be part of the Regional Enabler Delegation and some important conversations with the Queensland Government, contributing to the shaping of future policy, and sharing some of the challenges and opportunities we see across the north. Fantastic collective effort across #queensland A huge thanks to the amazing people and hard-working locals we get to collaborate with every day at Smart Precinct NQ and big kudos to my team, who continue to punch above their weight, delivering incredible work that’s driving growth for our city and region. ⭐️Deep dive in to just one of our projects #cfnq (and some case studies) helping build the pipeline of circular innovation and showcasing regional talent across the north! 👇👇👇 https://lnkd.in/gDmxhjmG Big thanks to Andrew Powell MP GAICD Patricia O'Callaghan Jasmine Vreugdenburg Gillian Gardiner Jacqueline Steel Sean Cranny Tina Hill Kym Coyne Jason Lange Shelley Grainger Suz Cardy Caitlin Midson and all of our amazing regional enablers and partners!

It’s been a big few days in Brisbane connecting with some incredible people who are all passionate about building regional Queensland. Feeling really proud to share what we’ve been doing in Townsville, leveraging local strengths, supporting businesses to grow and become more resilient, and supporting innovation to commercialise. These businesses and ideas are the future pipeline and talent for our region. It’s been great to be part of the Regional Enabler Delegation and some important conversations with the Queensland Government — contributing to the shaping of future policy, and sharing some of the challenges and opportunities we see across the north. Fantastic collective effort across #queensland A huge thanks to the amazing people and hard-working locals we get to collaborate with every day at Smart Precinct NQ and big kudos to my team, who continue to punch above their weight, delivering incredible work that’s driving growth for our city and region. Deep dive in to just one of our projects #cfnq (and some case studies) helping build the pipeline of circular innovation and showcasing regional talent across the north! 👇👇👇 https://lnkd.in/gDmxhjmG Big thanks to Andrew Powell MP GAICD Patricia O'Callaghan Jasmine Vreugdenburg Gillian Gardiner Jacqueline Steel Sean Cranny Tina Hill Kym Coyne Jason Lange Shelley Grainger Suz Cardy Caitlin Midson and all of our amazing regional enablers and partners!

📢 The Queensland Government and Deloitte's Ignite+ Scale cohort 2 is now open 🚀 This exclusive program offers tailored support to refine your business capabilities, develop advanced scale-up strategies, and create global connections. Don't miss your chance to accelerate your business to the next level. EOI's close 2pm, 21st November 2025. Find out more >> https://bit.ly/47zcbvo

Help Shape Townsville’s Impact Procurement Future! Join the Q-SEED team for a hands-on co-design workshop to develop a regional Impact Procurement Framework that reflects our local values and aspirations. This isn’t a “how-to” session - it’s about listening, amplifying, and connecting local voices to define what great procurement looks like for Townsville. Together, we’ll capture the incredible work already happening in our region and co-create a framework that embeds social and local outcomes as business-as-usual. Let’s design a procurement approach that delivers lasting community benefits well beyond the life of Q-SEED. 📆Thursday 20th November 2025 🕚 9:30am - 1:30pm 📍 Smart Precinct NQ, 143 Walker Street 🎫 https://bit.ly/4oaxH0T This workshop is for: • Procurement specialists in any industry/sector • Local, state or federal government • SMEs • Social Enterprises • First Nations businesses • Anyone in Townsville wanting an active role in shaping local and social procurement outcomes 👉 Don’t miss your chance to be part of shaping Townsville’s sustainable future! ✦ Cassandra Cazzulino ✦ Sara Brown Steve Williams Shelley Grainger Kim Dempsey Kim Eliades Petra M. Elisabeth Lette Mary Bolling CQUniversity Townsville City Council Ben Smith Nyree Bolton #QSEED #ImpactProcurement #TownsvilleInnovation #CoDesign #CommunityImpact

Happy Birthday to our wonderful Head of Engagement, Suz Cardy! Thank you for the heart, energy, and excellence you bring to everything you do, we’re so lucky to have you on our team. Have a wonderful birthday week! ✨

How well are you protecting your ideas? 👀 Up next at Smart Precinct NQ is Skill Builder: IP Law Overview for Small Business Owners & Introduction to the Industry Growth Program Join us for an engaging session with Donna Patane – North Queensland’s leading expert in intellectual property (IP). Donna is an Industry Growth Program Adviser, lawyer, and registered trade marks attorney who helps innovative businesses protect their ideas and access funding to commercialise and grow. You’ll walk away with: ✅ A clear overview of the Industry Growth Program – including eligibility, advisory support, and matched grant funding opportunities. ✅ Practical tips on how to protect your brand, ideas, and products. ✅ Insights into leveraging IP and legal strategy to strengthen your competitive edge. ✅ Tools to help you grow and scale your business sustainably. Donna’s approachable style and deep expertise make this a must-attend event for SMEs, founders, and innovators ready to take the next step in commercialisation. Who should attend: Small business owners, founders, and anyone looking to protect their IP, explore new markets, or access funding for growth projects. Enjoy light refreshments and networking with fellow business owners and innovators before and after the session. Date: October 21 Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Cost : $35 Location Smart Precinct NQ Book Your Tickets: https://lnkd.in/gme3nf5Y

The Brisbane 2032 program has opened up with more than 50 Expressions of Interest (EOI) packages, spanning industries from brand and hospitality to technology, logistics, and event services Learn more at the below link https://lnkd.in/gdGmfMn5 👉 There is also a free information session from the Brisbane 2032 procurement launch and how you can start preparing your business to make the most of these opportunities.   They will cover: * Key takeaways from the Brisbane 2032 ‘Meet the Buyer’ event * Who’s who in the Olympics and Paralympics procurement process (Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee vs Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority) * Why Brisbane 2032 presents opportunities for SMEs * Buyer drivers and expectations * The process – Work Packages and Full or Partial Expressions of Interest as a first step * How we they help you prepare   Event details: Date: Friday 17 October 2025 Time: 10am - 11am Venue: Online via Zoom Cost: Free https://lnkd.in/ghatH79G

The Brisbane 2032 program has opened up with more than 50 Expressions of Interest (EOI) packages, spanning industries from brand and hospitality to technology, logistics, and event services Learn more at the below link https://lnkd.in/gdGmfMn5 👉 There is also a free information session from the Brisbane 2032 procurement launch and how you can start preparing your business to make the most of these opportunities.   They will cover: * Key takeaways from the Brisbane 2032 ‘Meet the Buyer’ event * Who’s who in the Olympics and Paralympics procurement process (Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee vs Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority) * Why Brisbane 2032 presents opportunities for SMEs * Buyer drivers and expectations * The process – Work Packages and Full or Partial Expressions of Interest as a first step * How we they help you prepare   Event details: Date: Friday 17 October 2025 Time: 10am - 11am Venue: Online via Zoom Cost: Free https://lnkd.in/ghatH79G