The South East Queensland Council of Mayors has launched the advocacy group’s first digital plan, which aims is to boost productivity, tackle cost-of-living, accelerate housing delivery and cut red tape for the growing region.
“South East Queensland is already one of the most exciting regions in the country and this plan is about making sure we stay ahead of the curve,” said SEQ Chair of Council of Mayors and Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner (pictured).
“By embracing digital technology from AI through to quantum computing, we can unlock new opportunities, reduce costs for families and deliver services faster and smarter.
“It also means we can back local industry and build the digital capabilities we need for the future, especially as we look ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The SEQ Digital Plan, an initiative of the SEQ City Deal, sets a vision to transform everyday life for business and residents by improving the region’s digital capabilities, infrastructure, coordination and security.
It follows the 2025 independent ‘Benchmarking South East Queensland (SEQ) – in a global context’ report that highlights SEQ is 23% less productive than its global peer regions, with internet speeds falling below international averages.
The Council says digital technology can help to cut red tape, lower costs and make everyday services faster and simpler for businesses, communities and visitors.
They say the Plan will position SEQ to respond to emerging technologies that are driving the next wave of innovation, investment and industry growth and also help to ensure SEQ is prepared for the growing digital demands and virtual engagement opportunities as host of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Planning Institute Australia (PIA) Queensland President, Martin Garred said a coordinated approach to data and digital systems is essential for a planning system that can continue to keep pace with growth.
“With SEQ continuing to grow, the priority now is implementation – delivering these improvements in a way that is consistent, collaborative and focused on improving outcomes,” said Mr Garred.
The SEQ Digital Plan is an initiative under the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian and Queensland Governments and the Council of Mayors (SEQ).
“The Committee for Brisbane has long supported the need for a clear, shared digital direction. Alignment at a regional level reduces risk, attracts private investment and creates the conditions for innovation to scale in ways that deliver real benefits for communities. The next five years is pivotal,” said The Committee for Brisbane CEO, Jen Williams.
“With the SEQ Digital Plan grounded in getting the fundamentals right, the focus on practical enablers such as connectivity, data standards and coordinated delivery is both timely and necessary.
“Regional leadership, and treating the region as a single digital system, provides alignment around common platforms, standards and priorities. That approach sends a strong signal to industry and supports much needed gains in productivity, liveability and service delivery With the backing of all three levels of government and industry, the SEQ Digital Plan has the potential to be more than a strategy.
“It can become a shared framework that helps guide investment decisions and builds lasting digital capability across the region.”
Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) CEO, Louise Hyland said the Plan reflects what’s possible when decision-makers meaningfully engage with industry.
“Council of Mayors (SEQ)’s collaborative approach throughout this process has produced a practical framework that will help harmonise planning settings, unlock investment, and deliver better mobile connectivity outcomes for communities across the region. AMTA looks forward to working together to support its implementation and ensure communities are better connected,” she said.
Read the Plan here: www.seqmayors.qld.gov.au.
