Annual Report
to Council
Delivering exceptional value to the Noosa community through digital innovation, talent development, and economic infrastructure.
Critical economic infrastructure for Noosa's digital transformation
The Peregian Digital Hub delivered exceptional value to the Noosa community in FY2025, operating at full capacity while supporting a comprehensive portfolio of programs across startup, education, business, and creative sectors.
Uplift: AI for Sunshine Coast SMEs
The Uplift program established a new regional benchmark for practical AI capability-building among established businesses. Designed to bridge the gap between AI curiosity and confident adoption, it equipped local business leaders with frameworks, tools and case studies to embed AI into real operations.
Through four intensive workshops and tailored mentoring, Uplift transformed abstract concepts into applied skills, helping organisations develop internal champions, identify productivity use cases, and pilot automation initiatives.
"Love that you are taking the leadership on this and sharing your knowledge and excitement with the business community."
"The delivery and organisation were highly professional. It was my first exposure to the Peregian Digital Hub and I was very impressed."
"Keep doing great work. I looked forward to Thursday mornings."
"It was inspiring to see local business owners successfully building AI capabilities into their operations."
"A huge thank you for putting together such a thoughtfully designed and empowering program."
"Love that you are taking the leadership on this and sharing your knowledge and excitement with the business community."
"The delivery and organisation were highly professional. It was my first exposure to the Peregian Digital Hub and I was very impressed."
"Keep doing great work. I looked forward to Thursday mornings."
AI Skills Program
Tokenizer: Building Australia's
Regional AI Capability
Tokenizer has matured into the Hub's flagship program for applied AI upskilling and venture creation—now recognised as one of the leading AI skills development programs for founders in Australia.
Technical Series
Workshops advancing participants from foundational AI concepts to building production-ready agent workflows for commercial use.
AI Bootcamp for Creatives
Supported by Arts Queensland and RADF, the June 2025 bootcamp drew over 50 artists and creative professionals.
Vibecamp Hackathon
Held at Habitat Noosa in August 2025, Vibecamp demonstrated the Hub's capacity for state-level innovation events.
Success Story: KITT
One notable outcome was KITT, an AI startup for allied health performance and injury rehabilitation, whose founders met through Tokenizer and has advanced rapidly to beta launch.
Firetech Connect: A Five-Year Legacy
After five years as Australia's leading change agent in bushfire resilience technology, Firetech Connect has achieved its local objectives and will wind down following the final FATM trial—making way for the Hub's strategic pivot to AI.
Program Genesis
Born from the Peregian Beach bushfires, responding to a simple question: "What can the Hub do to help Council with its bushfire resilience efforts?"
Living Lab Model
Evolved from a startup accelerator concept into a sophisticated platform for trialling promising technologies in real-world conditions.
FATM Drone Trials
Achieved a world-first demonstration of a fixed-wing drone operating safely within 300ft of active firefighting helicopters.
National Strategy
Co-authored "Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in Bushfire Management: A NATIONAL ROADMAP" with ANU Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence.
Lasting Benefits for Noosa Shire
Building the Next Generation
178 students engaged through structured pathways from curiosity to career.
Inventors Club
Two after-school groups weekly engaging students ages 10–15 from 14 schools. The peer-led model empowers alumni to design and run projects.
AI Cadetship
Seven-week program progressing from AI fundamentals to prototype development. Final presentations showcased publicly on YouTube.
Screen Cadetship
Produced the short film "The Exchange" under industry mentorship. Achievements include festival selections, paid work for Vibecamp, and leadership roles in regional screen organisations.
Digital Leaders
In partnership with Noosa Libraries, eight young Digital Leaders provided 80 sessions of free tech support for community members.
"Overwhelmingly positive feedback, with participants praising the intergenerational exchange and requesting expansion."
Strengthening Regional Ecosystems
Industry-specific networks driving collaboration, capability, and connection across technology, screen, marketing, and investment sectors.
Coding from Beach
Nurturing collaboration between experienced engineers and newcomers.
Screen Collective
Key driver of industry development for film, TV, gaming & screen professionals.
REBOOT Noosa
Focused on AI-assisted marketing and digital content innovation.
AI-Native Ventures
Technical startups clustering around the Hub, leveraging facilities and Tokenizer programs.
Suncoast Angels
Anchoring capital access in the region through syndication with national angel groups.
Mulga
A defence technology startup founded by local entrepreneur Ben Duncan, focused on resilient communications for defence applications. Mulga exemplifies the new generation of AI-native companies building at the Hub.
Multiplying Council's Investment
Strategic partnerships secured significant external funding, enabling extensive program delivery without additional cost to ratepayers.
Three-year partnership ($100k per annum) supporting the Hub's Tokenizer program for AI capacity building. Recognition of Council and the Hub as key innovation infrastructure in Queensland.
Phase 4 of Firetech's FATM pilot, advancing Noosa's emergency management innovation capacity.
Supporting Uplift delivery for regional SMEs, combining Hub expertise with RDA's regional development network.
Arts QLD / RADF
AI Bootcamp for Creatives mentorship
Bendigo Bank
Professional networking event catering
FY25-26 Budget Summary
Budget Year-to-Date (as at October 2025)
| Financial Statement | Full Year Budget | Actuals YTD | Budget YTD | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale of Goods and Services | $318,902 | $77,495 | $79,725 | ($2,231) |
| Grants, Subsidies - Operating | $187,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rental and Levies | $112,409 | $18,739 | $28,102 | ($9,363)* |
| Total Revenue | $642,811 | $98,484 | $111,328 | ($12,844) |
| Employee Benefits | $404,334 | $98,769 | $103,143 | ($4,374) |
| Materials & Services | $335,555 | $48,737 | $55,566 | ($6,829) |
| Total Expense | $987,463 | $209,628 | $221,054 | ($11,426) |
| Total Surplus / (Deficit) | ($344,652) | ($111,144) | ($109,726) | ($1,418) |
Revenue Growth
Increased membership revenues through expanded AI Lab programs including Tokenizer, funded by QLD State Govt and RDA.
Operational Efficiency
Materials and services savings realised after first full year of AI Lab operations proved some costs lower than forecast.
World-Class Facilities
AI Lab
Reached full utilisation as the premier venue in the region for digital/technology programs and events.
Staffing
Efficient operations with 2 FTE staff. 12-month traineeship commenced April 2025, providing career pathways.
Capital Works
$89,000 HVAC replacement project due for completion before year end, addressing critical asset lifecycle needs.
Outlook for 2026
Sector Focus
Continuing focus on AI adoption across business, government, and education, while preparing for adjacent technologies such as spatial computing and robotics.
Program Expansion
Expanding partnerships and program reach, strengthening the Hub's role as Queensland's leading regional centre for AI education, innovation, and digital industry collaboration.
Facility Expansion
Exploring strategic public-private partnership to develop an adjacent site into an integrated extension of the Hub precinct—increasing physical footprint without significant Council investment.
"Since 2021, the Hub's expanded program suite, AI Lab activation, and growth indicate this value has increased substantially. A new SROI evaluation in 2026 will quantify this uplift."
Risks & Opportunities
Managing direction strategically to ensure the Hub continues to deliver maximum value for the community.
Opportunities
Creating More High-Value Local Jobs
Expand AI adoption support for established local employers in manufacturing, tourism/hospitality, and professional services—directly supporting growth and creation of secure, high-paying, year-round jobs.
Expanding the Hub at Low Cost to Ratepayers
Strong demand creates opportunity to explore public-private partnership for adjacent site development, using private investment to fund expansion with minimal additional Council investment.
Maximising Value for Ratepayers
Track record in securing grants presents opportunity to secure further long-term funding partnerships. Every external dollar multiplies Council's initial investment.
Risks
Under-Scaled Response to Technological Change
Risk that current efforts may not be sufficient scale to adequately prepare the wider Noosa economy for AI's once-in-a-generation impact.
2026 SROI analysis will provide evidence to inform review of optimal investment scale.
Financial Sustainability
Some impactful community programs are supported by fixed-term external grants, presenting risk to program continuity.
Growing own revenue through memberships while proactively securing multi-year funding agreements.
Key Person Dependency
As a small, specialised team, operations are reliant on skills and relationships of core staff.
Building robust operational systems and empowering community leaders to take greater role in delivery.
Annual Report to Council
Financial Year ending 31 October 2025
Chris Boden
Digital Hub Director
For enquiries regarding this report, please contact the Peregian Digital Hub.