# Annual Report FY2025

> Annual Report to Council for the Financial Year ending October 2025

Source: https://www.peregianhub.com.au/report/

Financial Year 2024–2025

# Annual Report to Council

Delivering exceptional value to the Noosa community through digital innovation, talent development, and economic infrastructure.

72

Members

100%

Capacity

2,500+

Individuals Reached

Executive Summary

## 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.

Membership

72

paying members across 25 companies

Utilisation

100%

desk capacity

Office Spaces

4

fully tenanted

Program Reach

2,500+

individuals served

Uplift NPS

+63

Net Promoter Score

Youth Pathways

178

students through Inventors Club, AI & Screen Cadetships

**

Industry Events

28

professional meetups

Event Attendance

1,000+

participants

Flagship Program

## Uplift: AI for Sunshine Coast SMEs

![Uplift program workshop](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/teach.jpg)

+63

Net Promoter Score

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.

80-90

business leaders

2,400+

employees represented

4.6/5

satisfaction rating

"Love that you are taking the leadership on this and sharing your knowledge and excitement with the business community."

— Jet Convert

"The delivery and organisation were highly professional. It was my first exposure to the Peregian Digital Hub and I was very impressed."

— Uplift Participant

"Keep doing great work. I looked forward to Thursday mornings."

— Bella Manufacturing

"It was inspiring to see local business owners successfully building AI capabilities into their operations."

— OfficeHQ

"A huge thank you for putting together such a thoughtfully designed and empowering program."

— Concept Labs

"Love that you are taking the leadership on this and sharing your knowledge and excitement with the business community."

— Jet Convert

"The delivery and organisation were highly professional. It was my first exposure to the Peregian Digital Hub and I was very impressed."

— Uplift Participant

"Keep doing great work. I looked forward to Thursday mornings."

— Bella Manufacturing

![Tokenizer](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/logo_tokenizer.png) 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.

4.55/5

rating

50+

creatives

Perfect Score

**

### Vibecamp Hackathon

Held at Habitat Noosa in August 2025, Vibecamp demonstrated the Hub's capacity for state-level innovation events.

5.0/5

satisfaction

~100

participants

**

#### 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.

![Advance Queensland](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/advanceqld.webp)

Program Conclusion

## 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.

2019

### 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.

World First

### 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

**

LoRaWAN Network

Shire-wide sensor network with weather & fuel moisture monitoring

**

Camera Network

Bushfire monitoring cameras across the region

**

Drone Capability

Council's first drones & certified pilot training program

**

Data Dashboard

Central monitoring for fire lead indicators

$2.4M

in State & Federal grants secured over five years

This funding also enabled the building and equipping of the Hub's world-class AI Lab facilities—now hosting the programs described throughout this report.

Talent Development

## Building the Next Generation

178 students engaged through structured pathways from curiosity to career.

**

91

students

### 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.

Game Design RC Vehicles 3D Printing Electronics

**

37

students from 12 schools

### AI Cadetship

Seven-week program progressing from AI fundamentals to prototype development. Final presentations showcased publicly on YouTube.

Alumni Pathways

Engineering & Computer Science at QUT, UQ, ANU, UniSC

**

42

students (2 cohorts)

### 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.

Real career progression demonstrated

**

399

community members helped

### 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."

Total Youth Impact: 178 students across 4 programs

Sector Development

## Strengthening Regional Ecosystems

Industry-specific networks driving collaboration, capability, and connection across technology, screen, marketing, and investment sectors.

![Coding from Beach](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/networks/technologists.jpg)

Technology

### Coding from Beach

Nurturing collaboration between experienced engineers and newcomers.

9

meetups

308

participants

![Sunshine Coast Screen Collective](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/networks/scsc.jpg)

Screen

### Screen Collective

Key driver of industry development for film, TV, gaming & screen professionals.

400

paid members

405

event attendees

![REBOOT Noosa](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/networks/agencies.jpg)

Digital Marketing

### REBOOT Noosa

Focused on AI-assisted marketing and digital content innovation.

7

meetups

262

professionals

![Startup Founders](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/networks/founders.jpg)

Startups

### AI-Native Ventures

Technical startups clustering around the Hub, leveraging facilities and Tokenizer programs.

Healthtech Defence Insurance Productivity

![Suncoast Angels](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/networks/angels.jpg)

Investment

### Suncoast Angels

Anchoring capital access in the region through syndication with national angel groups.

4

pitch events

~100

investors engaged

Member Highlight

### 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.

High-Value Regional Innovation

Strategic Partnerships

## Multiplying Council's Investment

Strategic partnerships secured significant external funding, enabling extensive program delivery without additional cost to ratepayers.

![Advance Queensland](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/advanceqld.webp)

Regional Enablers Program

Advance Queensland

$300,000

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.

**

Regional Futures Grant

Advance Queensland

$197,500

Phase 4 of Firetech's FATM pilot, advancing Noosa's emergency management innovation capacity.

![RDA MBSC](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/rda.jpg)

Regional Development

RDA Moreton Bay SC

$40,000

Supporting Uplift delivery for regional SMEs, combining Hub expertise with RDA's regional development network.

![RADF](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/radf_logo.png) Arts QLD / RADF

$5,000

AI Bootcamp for Creatives mentorship

![Bendigo Bank](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/bendigo.webp) Bendigo Bank

$5,000

Professional networking event catering

Our Partners

![Noosa Council](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/logo_council.svg) ![Advance Queensland](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/advanceqld.webp) ![RDA MBSC](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/rda.jpg) ![RADF](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/radf_logo.png) ![Bendigo Bank](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/bendigo.webp)

Total External Funding Secured

$547,500+

Multiplying Council's investment and reducing cost to ratepayers

Financial Performance

## FY25-26 Budget Summary

8%

Improvement

Net operating position improved from $279k to $256k deficit

$115k

Membership Revenue

Generated Jul-Oct 2025, on track for full year target

100%

Office Tenancy

All four offices fully tenanted year-to-date

### 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)

*Note: Rental and Levies revenue shortfall due to delayed invoicing for newest Hub tenancy. Receivables will be brought up to date in coming weeks.

1

#### Revenue Growth

Increased membership revenues through expanded AI Lab programs including Tokenizer, funded by QLD State Govt and RDA.

2

#### Operational Efficiency

Materials and services savings realised after first full year of AI Lab operations proved some costs lower than forecast.

Operations

## World-Class Facilities

![Wonder Pod presentations](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/facilities/wpod_present3.jpg)

Wonder Pod

80-seat auditorium

![Sound Pod](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/facilities/spod_podcast2.jpg)

Sound Pod

![Barception](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/facilities/barception_people.jpg)

Barception

![Coworking](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/hub_cowork2.jpg)

Coworking

![Story Pod](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/facilities/storypod.jpg)

Story Pod

**

### AI Lab

Reached full utilisation as the premier venue in the region for digital/technology programs and events.

Full Utilisation

**

### Staffing

Efficient operations with 2 FTE staff. 12-month traineeship commenced April 2025, providing career pathways.

Lean & Efficient

**

### Capital Works

$89,000 HVAC replacement project due for completion before year end, addressing critical asset lifecycle needs.

On Track

Looking Ahead

## 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.

2026 Update Planned

Social Return on Investment

$4.8M

Annual social & economic value

(2021 Vaxa Group evaluation)

**

41.5 jobs created

**

$7.8M+ in digital products developed

**

Measurable community benefits in skills & education

"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."

Strategic Assessment

## 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.

Mitigation:

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.

Mitigation:

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.

Mitigation:

Building robust operational systems and empowering community leaders to take greater role in delivery.

![Noosa Council](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/logo_council.svg)

![Peregian Digital Hub](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/hub_logo_dark.png)

### Annual Report to Council

Financial Year ending 31 October 2025

![Chris Boden](https://www.peregianhub.com.au/img/tokenizer/bios/chrisb.jpeg)

#### Chris Boden

Digital Hub Director

Environment and Sustainable Development

For enquiries regarding this report, please contact the Peregian Digital Hub.

[peregianhub.com.au](https://peregianhub.com.au)