Noosa in GovHack spotlight

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Published
8th July 2015

Noosa Council CEO Brett de Chastel has congratulated teams in this year’s GovHack competition on their creative use of open government data.

At the inaugural GovHack Sunshine Coast event six teams entered six useful apps or computer-based applications that draw on readily available government data, including Noosa Council datasets.

The entries include:

  • Where2: a mapping tool which gives visitors a better idea of available facilities based on their intended activities, interests and requirements.
  • Dogs unleashed: an app that provides dog owners with information about parks, beach access points, dog-friendly water fountains, and where they are required to use a leash.
  • Walk guide: a responsive web application for discovering walking tracks and trails throughout Queensland.
  • Exerceo: an app which provides a simple and easy way to find places to play sport as well as find people to play sport with.
  • Queensland BrainMAP: addresses the challenge of “Where is the knowledge economy in Queensland?”
  • Banana Baron: an educational game for children which promotes awareness of environmental issues and the importance of being prepared for emergencies such as floods, fires and cyclones

Mr de Chastel said Council was pleased to be involved in GovHack, and having a Noosa-based IT business host the Sunshine Coast GovHack event, was a coup for Noosa Shire, which is home to many digital entrepreneurs and barefoot executives.

Programmers, digital creatives, data analysts, storytellers and entrepreneurs converged on Atmail, at Peregian Beach, on Friday for the start of the 46-hour competition.

“Atmail is a great example of the sorts of digital sector businesses servicing customers far and wide from here in Noosa,” Mr de Chastel said.

Peregian Beach was one of 30 locations across Australia and New Zealand to host GovHack events, with international, national and local prizes on offer.

Winners will be announced at a red carpet awards night in Brisbane on 31 July.

Noosa Council was one of several partners in GovHack Sunshine Coast 2015.

8 July 2015