Submissions open for Hackfest 2016
Here’s a great chance to be part of the Sunshine Coast’s Smart City and help our region become one of the most innovative and modern in the world.
After a successful inaugural event last year, Sunshine Coast Hackfest is back in 2016 as we link up community members keen to make a difference with coders, digital creatives, data analysts, story tellers and entrepreneurs to create apps, visualisations, websites and tools from government data sets.
Launched today at Spark Bureau in Maroochydore, the home of Hackfest 2016, council is now asking the community to join in by submitting their ideas and issues for some of our country’s smartest digital minds to tackle from November 18 to 20.
Using the theme “Creating solutions for a Smarter Region”, hackers will have access to open data information available from the council and State or Federal governments to create a solution for an identified issue or problem on the Sunshine Coast – either now or into the future.
Telstra and Spark Bureau have signed on as gold partners for Hackfest 2016.
“Hackfest 2016 is now on the lookout for people with great ideas, plenty of passion and lots of energy to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event which highlighted how much talent we can tap into,” Economic Development and Innovation Portfolio Cr Steve Robinson said.
“Hackfest closely aligns with council’s Smart City Framework, which includes making the new Maroochydore CBD one of the world’s most innovative and technologically modern cities.
“We are progressing towards the Coast having the latest in global technologies for lighting, waste, parking, assets and other infrastructure and services to enhance the lives of our residents and visitors.
“With just under two months to go before Hackfest, we are today launching an IdeasFest which provides the opportunity for the community to submit their ideas for issues to be solved or creative solutions or concepts to be created as part of the Hackfest.
“As part of the IdeasFest, the community will not only be able to submit idea, they will be able to view and make comments on other ideas that have been submitted.
“All of the ideas will go on display at the Hackfest launch night and will be in contention to be one of our winning entrants in 2016.”
Sunshine Coast Council Hackfest 2016 will officially run from 5pm on Friday, November 18 to 6pm on Sunday, November 20.
An opening night event will be held at Spark Bureau which will be a great chance for individual hackers looking to form a team to meet up and start hacking.
Last year’s overall winners were Coast duo Sean Bannister and Jordan Josic whose parking app is in futher development with council.
“It’s important to point out that you don’t need to know about coding to be part of a Hackfest team,” Cr Robinson said.
“We’re encouraging anyone with an interest in Smart City to come along, join a team, share their thoughts and collaborate with their team members.”
Spark Bureau’s Zach Johnson said events such as Hackfest 2016 raised the profile of the region and helped in attracting talented people to come live and work on the Coast.
“I see lots of opportunities through public private partnerships to drive innovation on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Johnson said.
“Solutions created as a result of this event can serve as a model for future collaboration.”
There is no cost to enter Hackfest and all the prizes being competed for will be announced closer to the start of the event.
To register or send in your idea for the hackfest, email [email protected] or go to https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Experience-Sunshine-Coast/Events/HackFest
Photo: 2015 Hackest winner Jordan Josic with 2015 Hackfest hero award winner Daniel Bryar at today’s launch at Spark Bureau
