Get your thinking caps on and your flux capacitor fluxing because the first ever Tropical Innovation Awards are now accepting entries.

The awards aim to reveal, recognise and reward local talent through a competition to discover the best and most innovative ideas across Tropical North Queensland.


Designed to stimulate and diversify the future economy, the awards will highlight local ingenuity and present a true reflection of tropical creativity to the world.


Australians have a proud history of innovation having produced famous products including the bionic ear, the black box flight recorder, the solar hot water heater and the sugar cane harvester, a north Queensland original.


"The awards provide an opportunity for applicants to link with professional businesses and State and Federal funded programs," said Robert Buhrke, Innovation Coach of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation.


Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses who want to align themselves with the concept of innovation.


Competition guidelines and application forms are available at the Tropical Innovation Awards website.


Applications will close at 3pm on Friday, 1 October, and the awards presentation night will be held on 5 November at a venue to be chosen.


For more information contact the Tropical Innovation Awards Team at the Cairns Regional Council on 07 4044 3347.