The Federal Government has announced that seven Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees have received funding to assist in the development of strategies for the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in their communities.

 

$200,000 has been awarded to the committees for Stage One and Stage Two of the rollout to conduct development and implementation strategy studies.

 

"One of the greatest enablers of regional economic diversification, growth and service delivery is the NBN," Regional Development Australia Minister Simon Crean said.

 

"It will transform the way regional businesses operate, how health services are delivered and how regional students access educational and career opportunities.

 

"That is why when I visit the regions, people aren't asking why we're investing in the NBN - they're asking when and how they can access it."

 

The seven RDA committees to be awarded funding are:

  • RDA Mid West Gascoyne (WA) - $30,000 to develop a regional digital plan and connected implementation strategies and projects.
  • RDA Sydney (NSW) - $17,500 to conduct a Community e-Care Workshop.
  • RDA Northern Inland (NSW) - $33,000 to conduct regional information sessions, and develop stakeholder implementation strategies and an integrated digital regional plan.
  • RDA Northern Melbourne (VIC) - $33,500 to conduct a project on the present use of ICT by small-to-medium sized businesses.
  • RDA Darling Downs and South West (QLD) - $31,000 to establish a local NBN demonstration booth and develop a local government NBN awareness and preparedness project.
  • RDA Ipswich and West Moreton (QLD) - $30,000 to support a regional digital economy forum and the development of a 10 year digital economy strategy.
  • RDA Brisbane City (QLD) - $25,000 to conduct a survey of not-for-profit organisations, organise a digital expo and publish findings.