Have your say: Industry Innovation Precincts

First 5000 members are invited to have your say on the development of Industry Innovation Precincts.  

Written submissions close: 22 March and stakeholder consultations are underway.

Led by industry precincts and will help businesses and researchers collaborate, share knowledge, deploy technology, create products and services and take advantage of business opportunities.

Each Precinct will be headquartered in a specific location, but they will focus nationally to better coordinate existing services and research capacity. They will provide new tools and services to enable Australian businesses to invest, innovate and grow.

Key features

Precincts will:

• create national business-led networks that build critical mass across both physical and virtual groupings
• provide support to business through the Growth Opportunities and Leadership Development (GOLD) program
• have exclusive access to project funding through the Industry Collaboration Fund
• encourage businesses in all locations to participate through the digital Industry Innovation Network.

Precinct types

There will be two types of Precincts:

• Established Industry Innovation Precincts- in areas of the economy where Australia already has a competitive advantage.
• Emerging Industry Innovation Precincts- in areas of the economy where there are emerging opportunities with strong export potential.

There will be up to five Precincts of each type.

Selection process

The Government has agreed that the first two Precincts (Established Industry Innovation Precincts) will be the Manufacturing Precinct and the Food Precinct.

The remaining Precincts will be determined through a two stage competitive selection process that will start in May 2013. Outcomes of stage one of the selection process will be announced in August 2013. All Precincts will be operational in 2014.

The National Precincts Board will make recommendations to the Australian Government on which Precincts should be funded.

Stakeholder consultations

The consultation paper provides an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Precincts. Stakeholder consultations will be held across Australia from 1 to 18 March, and stakeholder submissions are due by 22 March. 

If you have any questions or would like more information, call 1800 024 095 or email precincts@innovation.gov.au.