Fermentasmania cluster
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Progress in terms of increases in employment or export growth cannot be just attributed to the cluster intervention . However , most cluster projects should have milestones and metrics attached . The more general measures of progress are inevitably soft ( see Table 2 .).
Table 2 . Evidence of Progress
PRECINCTS – A COMPONENT WITHIN A CLUSTER A further difference between Australia ’ s economic development practices and international experience is the emphasis placed on precincts . In most countries , precincts are acknowledged as a component within a strong cluster – nice to have , but not necessarily essential .
Three infrastructure components can be identified within a cluster , listed below in terms of typical impact and in terms of increasing public investment . The first , developing the social infrastructure ( connecting the players within the cluster ) provides significant impact for relatively low cost . It is the most complex to address and a central activity for all cluster managers . Businesses may be physically close , even co-located within a precinct , but not socially close ( see Table 3 .).
By Year Three
A co-opetition culture developing , with businesses competing as well as collaborating in non-strategic areas . Business support organisations responding more closely , and as a team , to business needs . Increasing their resources to support the cluster ’ s priorities . Firms renewing their annual membership fee .
By Year Five Co-specialisation developing amongst businesses . Scaling-up businesses are well grounded in the region . An increasing % of business turnover from beyond the region and from diversification .
Table 3 . Cluster Infrastructure Components
1st Social Infrastructure 2nd Knowledge Infrastructure 3rd Physical Infrastructure
Establishing familiarity and trust ; Connecting the businesses . Aligning business support organisations + agencies .
High schools + vocational training + tertiary institutions + public RandD , aligned around regional specialisations . Needs-driven training , collaborative RandD .
Specialised , technology parks + incubators + innovation hubs / districts + precincts + common user facilities .
Two regional food clusters have been underway for six years : Food and Agribusiness Network ( FAN ) on the Sunshine Coast , with 370 participating businesses , and Fermentation Tasmania , Launceston . During this time the social infrastructure of each cluster has developed and through project engagement , considerable learning has accumulated on business needs .
Drawing on this knowledge , precincts are now under development . FAN ’ s Turbine precinct , at the Sunshine Coast Airport , is set to become Australia ’ s leading industry-based food and beverage research , education , and commercialisation facility . The Fermentation Hub is located alongside the University of Tasmania .
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