2018-03-01 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                           1 MARCH 2018


REPORTS


1                        PEREGIAN BEACH DIGITAL HUB TENANCY PROCESS
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Manager Economic Development, Anthony Dow
                                    Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index                               ECM/ Subject/ Economic Development

Attachments                         Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Economic Development Manager to the Special Council
Meeting dated 1 March 2018 and:
A.                       Approve the Digital Hub tenancy process and associated assessment criteria and
                         weightings as detailed in the report; and
B.                       Agree to proceed to the public tenancy process for tenancy of the Peregian Beach Digital
                         Hub.


REPORT
At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 21 December 2018, Council adopted the Peregian Beach
Digital Hub (Digital Hub) Establishment Phase Implementation Plan. Council also approved the
engagement of a project resource and the undertaking of an Expression of Interest process for
tenancy of the Digital Hub. The Council resolution of 21 December 2017 provided staff with the
authority to progress with the tenancy process. This report provides an update on the progress of
the implementation plan for the establishment of the Digital Hub and outlines the intended
tenancy process and criteria.

The Digital Hub Operational Project Team meets weekly and includes representatives from
economic development, property, finance and procurement. This team, supported by external
expert advice (see consultation section) have agreed on the process and associated assessment
criteria with weightings, outlined in this report. A number of risks are also identified in this report
for Council’s information, informed by legal advice sought from King and Co. and Argon Law.

A market assessment of commercial rental rates will be undertaken to inform the tenancy
process.

The tender for established and emerging tenancies and the co-workers membership process is
scheduled to be released in the week commencing 12 March 2018.

1                        Overview

The Peregian Beach Digital Hub is more than a traditional co-working space or business
incubator. It is intended to be a community, a cohort of technology businesses run by
entrepreneurial people who collaborate with others to create value from their ideas. It is part of a
business ecosystem that champions a commitment to our local region and works with others to
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