A $16.5 million fibre optic revolution is boosting internet speeds in outback Queensland with Barcoo and Diamantina Shire Council’s rollout of 550 kilometres of fibre optic cable now complete.
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With mobile signal now also available in towns such as Bedourie and Jundah, the new cable has the potential to transform the way business is done across the sparsely-populated outback region.
Queensland Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Mark Furner said faster broadband connectivity would drive innovation and economic diversification in Diamantina and Barcoo shires.
“In a region growing in importance for oil and gas reserves, fibre optic cable means so much more than buffer-free Netflix,” Mr Furner said.
In a region growing in importance for oil and gas reserves, fibre optic cable means so much more than buffer-free Netflix.
- Mark Furner
“The project brings huge potential for health, education and emergency services, business and tourism.
“This is a project Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has taken special interest in because we understand the potential of faster broadband connectivity to drive innovation and economic diversification in the bush,”
Diamantina Shire Mayor Geoff Morton said the fibre optic cable was transforming outback communities in their part of the world.
“Health clinics now have instant access to professional advice and the ability to deliver telemedicine with specialists in major hospitals,” Cr Morton said.
“Reliable optic fibre is changing the way our local communities do business.”
Mr Furner said Barcoo and Diamantina Shire Councils recently won the Local Government Managers Association 2017 Excellence in Community Shaping Award for the joint project to connect the five towns allowing ADSL2+ internet and mobile phones to be installed.
“Not only is this is a digital revolution, it is an excellent example of what can be achieved,” he said.
“It was done with strong local leadership of Mayors, and all levels of government working together for the benefit of local communities.”
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
