Download too slow

LEONGATHA and Korumburra will not be connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN) in the next 18 months and could be waiting until 2020 for super fast internet.

In the mean time, the towns will miss out on the business and education benefits the NBN will offer.

Labor candidate for McMillan Chris Buckingham said the region was being unfairly disadvantaged.

“The lack of fast internet in South Gippsland means locals do not get the same access to content as city folk,” he said.

“This will directly affect the capacity of local business to compete in an increasingly global marketplace and will limit the capacity for students to access learning materials.”

Mr Buckingham said it was fair and reasonable for people living in rural and regional areas to expect at least the same service that is provided in Melbourne.

“Fast internet is absolutely vital to the future of rural and regional communities,” he said.

“Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull promised they would give all Australians access to the NBN by the end of 2016. They have broken that promise.”

Leongatha Secondary College principal Wayne Chester said the speed of the internet connection provided to the college was inadequate for its needs.  

“Using our own funds we have installed a 50Mbps dedicated symmetrical microwave connection,” he said.

“The speed of this connection is comparable to the speeds offered by the NBN. This is something the college decided to do to support our 1:1 device program.”

Mr Chester said the self funded connection provided a modern internet service to its staff and students.

“We believe having access to fast reliable internet is an essential part of the modern classroom,” he said.

“Having more choice when it comes to quality high speed internet is something we are looking forward to. This will benefit not only the college but the parent and student community.”

Work on connecting other areas including Meeniyan, Dumbalk and Jeetho to a fixed wireless service has begun and should be available in the second half of this year.

Construction on the fixed-line NBN network will begin in Cape Paterson, Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Mirboo North and Venus Bay in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Work on the fixed-wireless network in Loch South and Outtrim at the same time.

NBN Co manager state corporate affairs (Victoria) Michael Moore said work to deliver the NBN network via fixed wireless technology to areas outside major Gippsland towns was well underway.

He said the NBN network was now available in the rural areas surrounding Inverloch and Wonthaggi.

“Leongatha and Korumburra are the subjects of future construction updates. Ultimately, we aim to have the NBN network available to eight million Australian homes and businesses by 2020,” he said.

Bass Coast Shire Council manager economic development Peter Francis said the connection of the shire’s major towns to fixed line NBN would be of huge benefit to the region.

He said it would benefit businesses that will be able to set up systems reliant on high speed, consistent internet.

“For example, in the summer some businesses face interruptions to their EFTPOS. Having the NBN will mean fewer interruptions so business owners can plan ahead with more certainty,” he said.

Mr Francis said a lot of online services and processes were already used by businesses such as Centrelink and hospitals, and he anticipated more interactions would move online in the future.

“If you have got good broadband, that sort of stuff is far more accessible. Places with access to higher speed broadband are at an advantage,” he said.

“As far as making Bass Coast a more attractive destination, we have pushing for this for years so we are pleased it is finally coming.”

South Gippsland Shire Council’s customer service manager Christian Stefani understood Leongatha and Korumburra would be connected after the Bass Coast towns. He welcomed Mirboo North’s inclusion in the 18 month plan.

McMillan MP Russell Broadbent said the NBN would deliver internet access that was fast, reliable and affordable.

“Better broadband will transform the way homes and businesses communicate, do business and access online services,” he said.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Jul 7 2015. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry