2021-10-12 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  12 OCTOBER 2021



Expenditure Analysis
The total direct costs of $354,925 incurred in operating the Digital Hub during financial year FY20/21
comprises the following major cost categories (excluding salaries):
•    Contract Services $59,253. Consisting of Regional Start-up Hub Support Program $47,450
     (financed by Queensland Government Grant), SevGen Indigenous Corp $5,727 and other
     maintenance and services.
•    Telco IP fibre connection $21,780
•    Internal cleaning $18,524
•    Air conditioning maintenance $14,024
•    Catering for events and programs $9,670 (funded by sponsorship revenues)
•    General materials/supplies $8,700
•    Lease management fees $6,256
•    Electricity (including solar offset) $3,828
•    Building security $3,433
•    Minor Equipment $3,006
•    Landscaping costs $2,800
•    Software licences and subscriptions $2,852
•    Advertising costs $2,808

2.   TENANCIES
Lease Tenants
After 3 years as the Hub’s anchor tenant, Atmail have reverted to a remote work operating model
and elected not to take up a lease extension option from August 2021. Furthermore, Fireball
International have outgrown their office at the Hub and graduated to larger premises (on the
Sunshine Coast) of their own at the end of the financial year.
Council’s commercial real estate partner, Colliers, have finalised marketing the availability of these
office spaces to the digital business sector as prospective tenants and early indications are that the
changeover period to secure new tenants can be minimised and revenue loss kept to a provision in
the 21/22 budget.
With the changing nature of hybrid remote/in-person workplace operations for digital-first
businesses, it is envisaged that the large space which accommodates a team of up to 20 people is
not sustainable at that size and would yield better value to Council if subdivided to accommodate
two or three separate tenants.
Members
As at 30 June 2021, The Digital Hub is host to 42 members: 26 Full-time and 16 Flex. Average
membership duration is 17 months.

3.   PROGRAMS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Talent Development Programs
The Hub launched two Digital Cadetship programs in the last 12 months. The Cadetships are
extension and career pathway programs for promising high school students in future-focused
STEAM areas where local digital companies are also finding it challenging to find suitably-skilled
workers.
The Cadetship programs comprise weekly after-school sessions during term, for tech-curious Grade
9-11 students. Applicants are identified through the Hub’s extensive network of high school partners,
school career counsellors, parents and referrals.


                                                                                    Page 177 of 185