National Broadband Network comes to Coffs Harbour

A Southern Cross University submission, strongly supported by the federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin, to have the Australian Government’s $43-billion National Broadband Network (NBN) rolled out early to the NSW North Coast has paid off, with Coffs Harbour identified today as one of the next 19 sites to have access to the network.

NBN Co, the company established to design, build and operate the national broadband network, announced today (July 8) 19 locations for the next stage of its rollout on the mainland.

These second release sites comprise 14 new locations and five sites adjacent to existing first release sites. Coffs Harbour is one of two new sites in New South Wales.

The announcement follows a submission, led by Southern Cross University’s Professor of Information Technology and Information Systems, Professor Peter Croll and the University’s Regional Futures Institute.

Professor Croll said Southern Cross University was committed to the NBN, with plans for a ‘broadband hub’ as part of a major upgrade of facilities at its Coffs Harbour campus.

“This is a really exciting development for Coffs Harbour and the North Coast, which will provide new opportunities for regional businesses to flourish,” he said.

“Our submission included a number of case studies showing how this technology can be utilised in areas including e-health, arts and media, regional business and e-learning.

“We are very appreciative of the support we have received from Janelle Saffin and the local councils throughout the Mid North and North Coast. We will be working closely with all these organisations and hope to see the NBN rolled out across the region.”

Initially each site will see the network rolled out past approximately 3000 premises, but the exact area to be covered will be determined after further discussion with local authorities to ensure local considerations are factored into the final decision.

NBN Co chief executive officer Mike Quigley said in a media statement: “We have selected these second sites to build upon the work we are doing in the first release sites and to progress the rollout in areas of future network growth.

“These sites have been selected based on a range of criteria including engineering and construction requirements, network design and the level of existing broadband infrastructure. The engagement of local government and the receptiveness of communities to broadband initiatives were also factors taken into consideration,” Mr Quigley said.

Photo: Professor Peter Croll has led a submission for the early rollout of the National Broadband Network on the Mid North and North Coast.