Summit highlights importance of NBN for regional Australia

By eGovInnovation Editors | Feb 24, 2011

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NEW SOUTH WALES -- Australia's Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy reiterated the importance of the National Broadband Network (NBN) to the future development of regional Australia at a summit in Armidale, New South Wales.

Speaking at the Setting the Agenda for Regional Futures Summit at the University of New England, Conroy outlined the benefits and opportunities for regional Australia presented by the rollout of the NBN.

“One of the challenges facing regional Australia has always been about communication and overcoming distance and isolation to connect with each other, the rest of the country and the world,”  Conroy said. “The NBN will transform service delivery for people living in regional Australia."

He added that with the NBN project in place, people won't have to travel as often for specialist appointments or care, local kids will have access to the best educational resources and local businesses will be able to access new markets anywhere in the world.

The Armidale area, including the University of New England, is one of five first release sites where the NBN is being rolled out on mainland Australia.

The telehealth trials would begin in Armidale and Kiama in NSW when the NBN is rolled out this year.