On behalf of the Bellingen Shire Community

Council also welcomes the decision of NBN Co to provide fi bre to the curb (FTTC) to the Dorrigo and Bellingen townships.

Council is however concerned with the impact on equity of access and property prices within the township areas should the “Multi-technology” mix extend into town boundaries.

Council further requests NBN Co to provide fi xed wireless to the Gleniffer Valley. According to NBN Co’s network rollout map.

According to NBN Co’s network rollout map, the Bellingen Shire seaboard is scheduled to receive fibre to the node (FTTN) in early 2018.

While this may be considered as improved high speed internet access, Council is highly concerned that this is not a long-term, technologically sustainable option for the townships on the seaboard.

The Urunga township is the main centre on the seaboard and currently boasts 295 businesses. This coupled with its expanding residential population, would see increased benefits by being connected to a long-term sustainable option that supports business and residents in a growing area.

Council understands, according to the notification on NBN Co’s website, that planning is currently underway for the Urunga township and surrounding seaboard areas.

Council formally requests that NBN Co plan to future proof the seaboard and provide equity of services across the Shire through the provision of FTTC.

According to the 2011 ABS Census, 24.3 per cent of residents in the Bellingen Shire do not have internet with 3.5 per cent only having access to dial up and 3.3 per cent having a connection other than broadband.

With Australia moving to a fully digital economy, it is important that, where possible, all areas are connected to the latest technology so as not to be disadvantaged.

A 2013 report commissioned by the Australian Government and undertaken by Deloitte Access Economics outlines some of the benefits, economically and socially, that high speed broadband brings particularly to businesses and occupations that are affected by technological change.

The Deloitte Access Economics report (the Report) outlines household benefits, including quantifying data, as:

• Communications (social engagement and social media) - $74

• E-commerce (travel savings and choice) - $565

• Online services (entertainment) - $269

• Travel savings (e-health, e-education and e-government) - $217

• Employment (telework and travel) - $634

• Productivity (lower prices and better quality) - $1,930 This outlines a total household benefit of $3,800 by 2020 in current dollars.

The Report also states, ‘A significant social benefit from improved communications is the increased opportunity for social inclusion. For example, people in regional and remote areas in particular will have more opportunities to communicate with their friends and family — overcoming the tyranny of distance — through broadband communication.

This will particularly assist communities with large rural and remote populations such as farmer and Indigenous communities’. NBN Co’s own website outlines the benefits for business stating, ‘As small to medium online businesses are having a greater impact on the Australian economy, and demand for more efficient and reliable service increases, the nbn™ network is essential for supporting our future economic and social growth’.

A 2011 report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications (Parliamentary Report) raised the link between faster internet connection and the role it plays in everyday life. The report showed that high speed connectivity plays a central role for peoples’ social connections, education opportunities, employment prospects, health and access to services.

The Parliamentary Report emphasised the potential role of the nbn™ in enhancing greater equity in digital access to services in regional and rural areas. The Bellingen Shire seaboard is an area in transition. With the Pacific Highway Urunga bypass now open, businesses need to stay connected and relevant to their customers.

The area is also becoming highly sought after due to its quiet location next to beaches and rivers. New development is being opened up with a residential allotment of 240 blocks recently being approved.

This is a Greenfield estate and a great opportunity for NBN Co to provide access to FTTC making the area more enticing for anyone looking to move to the region. Council’s Growth Management Plan indicates that other surrounding seaboard areas also have the potential for an additional 670 residential lots over the longer term.

NBN Co’s Chief Network Engineering Officer, Peter Ryan, stated in a blog post that FTTC and FTTN are closely related. The blog post gives premise to how easy it would be to upgrade from the FTTN to FTTC.

It is also our understanding that the cost to rollout FTTC is only marginally higher than FTTN with the expenditure decreasing over time through the use of newer construction techniques. With FTTN and FTTC becoming more cost competitive, it makes sense that preference would be to rollout the superior service the first time than having to upgrade again in a few years’ time.

Council will continue to actively advocate on behalf of the Bellingen Shire Community to ensure our community is well served in this era of digital transformation and seeks a timely and positive response from NBN Co.

Liz Jeremy – General Manager, Mayor Dominic King Councillor Garry Carter, Councillor Jennie Fenton, Councillor Desmae Harrison, Councillor Steve Jenkins, Councillor Steve Klipin, Councillor Toni Wright-Turner.