Innovation in NSW – It’s Not JUST About Technology

Is technology a necessary component of innovation? Of course. And governments have been laser-focused on leveraging diverse and innovative technologies to execute all facets of service excellence, public trust and satisfaction. But is technology the ONLY component of innovation? Of course not.  

Governments need more than just new technologies to effectively address complex societal challenges and improve public services. So, while technology is an important enabler, true innovation also demands collaborative partnerships, cultural transformation and trust to be built and rebuilt between government organisations and their citizens.  

The NSW government has leveraged technology as one component of a broader innovation ecosystem, sure - but let’s delve deeper into how this State is focused on building a circular economy, collaboration and trust to achieve sustainable and meaningful outcomes for its citizens and communities. 

What Goes Around, Comes Around: Innovation Through a Circular Economy 

All hands-on deck across the globe to accomplish sustainable solutions! Sustainability is essential for ensuring that our actions today don’t compromise the well-being of future generations. It encompasses responsible resource management and environmental caretaking to preserve our planet's natural resources and ecological balance.   

A great way to catapult a state into sustainability? A circular economy. This is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. Products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.  

The NSW government has developed a Circular Economy Policy and Action Plan to promote sustainability and resource efficiency. Now referred to as NSW Circular, this initiative focuses on reducing waste generation, promoting recycling and reuse, and transitioning towards a circular economic model. It involves collaboration with businesses, local councils, and communities to drive systemic change towards a more sustainable economy. 

Through the Circular Economy Accelerator Program, funding is provided to accelerate the development and commercialisation of circular economy initiatives and the Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Fund aims to accelerate investment in infrastructure and increase the amount of resources recovered in NSW to keep materials within the circular economy.  

Many Hands Make Short Work: Innovation Through Collaboration 

Collaboration is a cornerstone of government innovation, essential for tackling complex societal challenges and driving transformative change. By fostering partnerships between government agencies, private sectors, and civil society organisations, collaboration helps tap into collective expertise and resources. 

The NSW Department of Education in particular, has shined when it comes to appreciating the value of collaboration. It’s a key strategy being used to drive innovation and enhance educational outcomes.  

The department collaborates closely with schools, teachers, and educational leaders to co-design curriculum frameworks, teaching practices, and professional development programs and with industry partners and employers to develop vocational education and training (VET) programs that align with industry needs and equip students with relevant skills for employment. 

The organisation actively engages parents, families, and community members through initiatives such as school councils, community forums, and parent workshops. Collaboration with universities and research institutions is high on the list as well to conduct educational research, pilot innovative practices, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions. Interagency networks and government collaborations have also been successful as working across sectors such as health, social services, and housing, the department develops holistic approaches to support student well-being and academic achievement. 

Trust is the Foundation of All Relationships: Innovation Through Trust 

In recent years, particularly these post-pandemic ones, citizens’ trust in governments has wavered significantly - with some [citizens] feeling governments lacked appropriate and speedy responses to combat the pandemic or others believing certain government efforts were too-extreme. So, governments across the globe are consistently working to rebuild trust through several approaches – being more transparent and sharing in-depth data and information, making sure to increase responsiveness and accessibility to citizens and a focus on consistency and reliability with their services.  

The NSW government though has gone a step further in their quest to build trust – handing over the reins to its citizens to design and implement specific solutions themselves, allowing specific needs and values to be catered for. 

Enter the formation of the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) Empowered Communities Innovation Fund. This initiative is designed to empower Aboriginal communities by providing funding and support for innovative housing solutions that are developed and driven by local Aboriginal organisations and communities. The project encourages aboriginal communities to design and implement housing solutions that meet their specific needs and priorities, it offers flexible funding to support a wide range of housing initiatives, and it provides technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities to Aboriginal organisations. 

Very importantly, the project prioritises cultural sensitivity and respect in housing design and delivery where projects are guided by cultural protocols, traditional knowledge, and community values. And finally, the initiative emphasises long-term sustainability by supporting projects that contribute to social, economic, and environmental outcomes for Aboriginal communities. 

Interested in learning about even more exciting government initiatives across NSW from your peers? Register for your complimentary pass to our upcoming Innovate NSW Showcase here!