Design is the process which translates innovative ideas into feasible reality. The value of design is increasingly becoming recognised worldwide for many reasons - to enhance competitiveness, to create tourism identity, to enrich the social and cultural fabric of regions, to improve efficiencies, to solve environmental challenges, and to create export potential. This report focuses on the role of design in creating competitive economies and examines ways to recognise, promote and advance the value of design as fundamental to the ethos of the Smart State.
Smart State = Design State (
PDF, 622 KB)
Smart State = Design State (.doc, 929 KB)
Queensland's primary industries (agribusiness, food and fibre) sector is a major contributor to the Queensland economy. The food and fibre sector faces significant challenges, at both a global and domestic level, in maintaining its competitive edge. This report examines opportunities for the Queensland food and fibre sector to prosper in a rapidly changing global market and outlines a 2030 Smart State vision for the sector, to meet the requirements of economic, environmental and social sustainability in the future.
Review of Research, Development and Extension in the Queensland Food and Fibre Sector ( PDF, 670 KB)
Review of Research, Development and Extension in the Queensland Food and Fibre Sector (.doc, 946 KB)
This report investigates a framework for using broadband connectivity and intersectoral collaboration to transform the challenges of a sparsely populated State into enhanced industrial productivity, expanded export opportunities, and reinvigorated social and cultural networks for rural and regional Queenslanders (November 2007).
Sparse State - the death of distance ( PDF, 373 KB)
Sparse State - the death of distance (.doc, 689 KB)
Summary of the Queensland Government Response ( PDF, 54 KB)
Summary of the Queensland Government Response (.doc, 58 KB)
This report addresses the imbalance between Queensland's public sector research effort, which is highly competitive but to a large degree unfocussed on pursuing the development of research towards its ultimate application, and the business sector which is also highly competitive but not taking full advantage of R&D opportunities. This report suggests that drawing these two cultures closer together will result in substantial increases in knowledge-intensive industry, with consequent economic and employment benefits for Queenslanders (November 2007).
Fusion: Activating a Research & Business Development Culture in the Smart State ( PDF, 646 KB)
Fusion: Activating a Research & Business Development Culture in the Smart State (.doc, 832 KB)
Summary of the Queensland Government Response ( PDF, 54 KB)
Summary of the Queensland Government Response (.doc, 81 KB)
This report is set against a backdrop of adversity - the ongoing crisis in Queensland health services delivery, and also a backdrop of opportunity - the emerging strengths of our biotechnology industry. It proposes solutions including:
Medical Research: Queensland's Future Health and Wealth ( PDF, 500 KB)
Medical Research: Queensland's Future Health and Wealth (.doc, 1 MB)
Summary of the Queensland Government Response ( PDF, 54 KB)
Summary of the Queensland Government Response (.doc, 63 KB)
This report presents a vision for planning Brisbane as a centrepiece for the Smart State. It focuses on planning the city centre around existing creative, cultural, education and research precincts and aims to improve the connections across the city centre for the Brisbane community.
Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre (.doc, 340 KB) | Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre ( PDF, 5.4 MB)
Explores areas critical to ensuring a high-quality and relevant education system in the fast-moving world of the 21st century.
Education and Skills report (HTML) | Education and Skills report ( PDF, 366 KB)
Identifies several opportunities to strengthen Queensland’s competitive advantages in knowledge-intensive services, an increasingly important component of Queensland’s Smart State transition to a knowledge-based economy.
Smarter Services report (HTML) | Smarter Services report ( PDF, 556 KB)
Discusses the integral role the community will play in delivering on the Smart State vision and offers recommendations on how Queenslanders should be engaged.
Engaging with the Community report (HTML) | Engaging with the Community report ( PDF, 664 KB)
This report looks at the drivers of globally successful regions around the world, focusing on Austin, North Carolina and San Diego (US); Cambridge (UK) Victoria (Australia); Finland; Israel; Singapore; Sweden and Taiwan. Through an analysis of the key characteristics that make these regions innovative, the report examines the implications for Queensland's future development as a Smart State.
Smart State Council Report Smart regions (PDF, 670 KB) (Regions - .doc, 978 KB)
This report finds that building business expenditure on R&D (BERD) in Queensland's existing predominantly low/medium technology industries will require stronger industry/research collaboration and increased uptake of R&D managerial skills by Queensland firms.
Smart State Council Report BERD (PDF, 438 KB) (BERD - .doc, 612 KB)
This report examines Queensland's capabilities in tropical science in the areas of health, environment, primary industries, building design and education services to the tropical world and discusses the opportunities for Queensland in developing an integrated approach to marketing commercial expertise in those areas.
Smart State Council Report Tropical opportunities (PDF, 481 KB) (Tropical opportunities - doc, 1024 KB)
Last reviewed 16 June 2008