Coorong Communication Project
A single suggestion at a community meeting became a model to solve a communication problem that is all too familiar to most towns in rural and regional Australia.
Coorong evolved a courageous and innovative national communications project that links Commonwealth, State and Local Government in the development of the first reported community-based alternative regional telecommunications network.
The distance independent Coorong Communication Project involved building alternative telecommunications infrastructure, including microwave towers and Voice over Internet Protocol technology. A collaborative partnership with the local Australian owned telecommunications carrier Agile Communications was the key to success.
Telecommunications savings of 35-58 per cent for community and business customers resulted and Council reduced telecommunications costs by almost 50 per cent.
Customer service has improved through the capacity to offer local call access to council offices via a new PABX.
The project enhanced access to bandwidth for data services at a wholesale level, supporting the local ISP and other large data users.
Agile Communications has also increased employment opportunities.
Coorong Shire identified a need in the community and decided to meet it.
The obstacles were huge: lack of funds, lack of appropriate technology and a lack of expertise. Council identified all these and overcame them, showing that even small councils with limited resources can demonstrate leadership and innovation.
The effect has been equity of access and affordable telecommunications to rural customers.
Contact: Rhona Parker-Benton Coorong District Council
Tel: (08)8575-1008
Fax: (08)8575-1516
Email: rhona@coorong.sa.gov.au
