Bass Coast Shire Council congratulates San Remo's Terra Lab, winner of Council's 2022 Business Innovation Award, for being crowned Innovate with nbn® Grant Program Agriculture category winner and overall Champion.
The geospatial and environmental consultancy was awarded $35,000 for its STA logger technology, which is revolutionising land management by driving new efficiencies across weed and crop control. Terra Lab was awarded $15,000 as agriculture category winner, plus a further $20,000 as Innovate with nbn® Champion, to continue development and expansion of their platform.
The STA logger is a location tracking device that fixes to existing herbicide application equipment to track position and activity. The solution accurately logs data, work, statistics, produce and public maps to aid landowners with weed and pest management, plus also planting, saplings and crops. Originally designed for the conservation industry, STA logger has been adapted worldwide by the forestry, mining and water industries. This one-of-a-kind technology is now global, being utilised in New Zealand, USA, Canada, China, Europe and Africa.
The Innovate with nbn® Grants Program awards up to $125,000 in grants to innovative businesses in regional and remote Australia to help them bring their bright ideas to life. Finalists and winners are those harnessing the benefits of the nbn network to develop products or solutions that improve digital participation, productivity or social outcomes for regional and remote Australians.
Bass Coast Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Cr. Rochelle Halstead said:
"Huge congratulations to all the Terra Lab team on this fantastic win, which recognises the important innovation they're leading globally. Terra Lab is a brilliant example of change-making businesses finding their home in Bass Coast to enjoy the huge opportunity our vibrant area offers from inspirational surrounds to economic support plus easy access to Australia's fastest growing city.
"The STA Logger is an incredible tool to help land managers everywhere tackle the rapid changes we're experiencing worldwide - environmentally and economically. From more extreme, unpredictable weather due to the climate crisis plus volatile economic markets, Terra Lab's innovation builds resilience to maintain food, water and resources security."
"We're excited to see where Harley and the team take their talent next. We also look forward to witnessing how their success inspires other Bass Coast businesses to think big and aim for the sky."
Applications for Bass Coast Shire Council's 2023 Bass Coast Business Awards open on 1 May. Learn more and apply at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/businessawards.
