The Ballarat ICT Cluster is now recognised as an important driving force in the future economic development of the region. Ballarat is Victoria's leading regional ICT centre and plans to benchmark with major metropolitan based ICT clusters in terms of the scope and extent of ICT activity and growth. The Cluster drivers are the innovative enterprises and individuals who make up the ICT industry in Ballarat and the leadership provided by key institutions including the State Government, the University of Ballarat, City of Ballarat and Ballarat ICT Ltd.
The University of Ballarat Technology Park, the Global Innovation Centre and the Greenhill Enterprise Centre host a number of ICT companies that engage in eCommerce, internet development, satellite telemetry and geographical information systems. The Technology Park is at the centre of the cluster, orchestrating relationships between the research community and businesses and providing a focal point for a number of collaborative ventures. The Technology Park also provides a supportive environment for inward-technology investment and has attracted a number of innovative national and international companies.
A recent report commissioned by a consortium of interests and funded by the City of Ballarat focused on what Ballarat had to do to become a major international force in ICT by 2012 and through to 2030. The ICT Cluster and its successful development is at the heart of this (ICT 2030) strategy. The strategy identifies a clear opportunity for Ballarat to build on its strengths and become a truly internationally recognised cluster. A program of actions is identified and these include the development of international linkages and markets for the cluster and its participants. It is this internationalisation of the cluster that is central to the future of the ICT Cluster.
Ballarat ICT Cluster - Stage 3
In light of the outcomes of Stage 2 Cluster project, the Project Team suggests that the Ballarat ICT Cluster Stage 3 project focus on a number of areas that develop the international exposure and growth of Ballarat ICT cluster organisations.
This should include the provision of information, training and support for local SMEs to access international markets and participate in international supply chains. This should also involve one-on-one mentoring, workshops and linkages to State and national programs. Case studies should be developed to assist other companies to understand the opportunities of a greater international focus.
Specifically, the Ballarat ICT Cluster Stage 3 would do well to focus on:
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Information, training and support for local SMEs to access international markets and participate in international supply chains. This will involve one-on-one mentoring, workshops and linkages to State and national programs. Case studies should be developed to assist other companies to understand the opportunities of a greater international focus;
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Development of research and partnerships within the cluster and between the cluster and potential overseas collaborators. The University and City could facilitate these developments;
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In collaboration cluster participants the identification of areas of future opportunity (based on ICT 2030 and other research) that will provide fruitful areas for the cluster to grow and develop internationally;
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Continuation of the successful ICT Panels as a vehicle to encourage businesses to strengthen their partnerships with education and research institutions and to accelerate uptake of new ideas;
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Continued cluster coordination to foster opportunities for further engagement and collaboration among cluster members while also sustaining activities that have been successfully introduced. These include the Ballarat ICT Cluster and Communication System (www.ballaratict.com.au), engagement program, business intelligence, and profile and marketing activities.
An ongoing evaluation strategy which will identify the innovation impacts of the Ballarat ICT Cluster and assess what cluster members take away from seminars, mentoring, workshops, etc. and then actually implement in their business processes.
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