ITEM 6.2.24
NBN in this Region
REPORT BY THE GENERAL MANAGER TO 6 NOVEMBER 2013 COUNCIL MEETING
NBN in this Region
GOV400029, A0100056, A0070005
RECOMMENDATION
That:
1.
the report by the General Manager on the NBN in this Region be received; and
2.
Council write to the Federal MP for this Region, Mr Mark Coulton, and seek an
explanation as to why the NBN rollout has ceased in this Region after the
process had commenced and commitments made, and further seek an
undertaking from the Federal Government as to when the NBN rollout is likely to
recommence.
Detailed report
Council will now be aware that although the NBN rollout has been commenced in this region, in
particular Mudgee, the Federal Government has now stopped the rollout. We are aware that this
was part of the Federal Government policy to change the focus of the NBN in Australia from fibre
optic cables to a node type system. However as the process has commenced in this region it is
important that it continues as per the commitments to this community from the previous
government. A number of businesses have already made plans in anticipation of the NBN being
delivered. It would be unreasonable for the development of the NBN to be ceased half way through
a contract and a community commitment.
This report is recommending that Council writes to the local MP, Mr Mark Coulton, seeking an
explanation of why the NBN rollout has been deferred, what is the process for this region in the
future and what can the community expect from this Government for the NBN facility.
Please find attached for background information the recent media coverage on this matter.
Financial implications
Not applicable
Strategic or policy implications
Not applicable
Attachments: 1.
Media coverage
WARWICK L BENNETT
GENERAL MANAGER
1 November 2013
ITEM 6.2.24
ATTACHMENT 1