DIGITAL SEQ

Looking for your community?

If you're working on digital city initiatives in South East Queensland – or you're interested in how technology could improve our region – this community brings together the people making it happen.

Why the next 5-7 years matter

Brisbane 2032 is coming whether we're ready or not. We've got the next few years (at best) to work out how digital infrastructure and services can make the Games better – and more importantly, how the Games can accelerate digital improvements that benefit SEQ long after the closing ceremony.

Right now, different councils, state agencies, and private organisations are all thinking about this separately. Some are developing smart transport solutions, others are working on digital visitor experiences, and many are trying to work out what 'digital legacy' actually means in practical terms.

The risk? We end up with disconnected systems that work brilliantly in isolation but don't talk to each other. Or worse, we miss the chance to use Games funding, excitement and energy to solve problems we've been putting off for years.

What we're doing about it

Digital SEQ is a community of practice for people shaping policy and delivering projects in the 'digital built' sector across the region. We're creating a space where the people doing the work can share what they're planning, spot the overlaps, and find ways to join things up.

This isn't about creating another layer of governance or approval. It's about making sure the right people know what's happening so we can avoid duplication and spot opportunities for collaboration.

What we'll focus on

Getting digital properly embedded – Making sure digital considerations are baked into Games planning from the start, not bolted on later
Building the business case – Showing how digital investments for the Games can solve existing regional challenges
Practical use cases – Developing real examples of what works, from smart mobility to digital accessibility
Leadership alignment – Helping leaders understand what's possible and what's needed to make it happen
Avoiding white elephants – Ensuring we build systems that are useful beyond 2032, not just Games-specific tech

Who should join

We need people who are:

Policy makers working on digital strategy at council or state level
Project delivery teams implementing digital infrastructure or services
Games organisers who want to understand digital possibilities and constraints
Transport and infrastructure planners thinking about smart city applications
Digital service providers who understand what's technically feasible
Community advocates who can keep us honest about accessibility and inclusion

You don't need to be working directly on Games projects. If you're involved in digital city initiatives anywhere in SEQ, your experience is relevant – the challenges you're facing today are probably the same ones we'll hit at scale in 2032.

What you'll get from participating

Early visibility of what others are planning, so you can align your work or avoid duplication
Collective influence to advocate for sensible digital investments
Shared lessons from pilots and projects happening across the region
Technical knowledge about what's actually possible versus what's just hype
Direct connections to people who can actually help solve your challenges

How we'll work together

We'll meet monthly to share updates, workshop specific challenges, and coordinate efforts. Between meetings, we'll maintain channels for ongoing collaboration and quick problem-solving.

The focus is on practical action. When someone presents an idea, we want to know: Who else is working on this? What barriers are you hitting? What do you need to move forward? How can this benefit the region beyond the Games?

We'll also work to translate technical possibilities into language that executives and politicians can understand, helping build the case for smart digital investments.

Let's be honest

Major events have a mixed track record with technology. We've all seen examples of expensive systems that get used once and then abandoned. We've also seen the opposite – regions that miss the opportunity entirely and realise too late what they could have built.

That's why we need this community now, not in 2030 when decisions are locked in. The conversations we have over the next few years will hopefully shape whether SEQ uses the Games to genuinely advance our digital capability, or whether we just put on a good show and go back to business as usual.

Getting involved

Join Digital SEQ to be part of shaping how our region approaches this opportunity. Whether you're deep in the technical details or working on strategic policy, your perspective matters.

The Games are a catalyst, not the end goal. The real win is building digital capabilities and infrastructure that make SEQ a better place to live and work for decades to come.