Local Government needs to be a major player in helping communities take full advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout according to Adjunct Research Fellow, Centre for Local Government, University of New England, Armidale Ian Tiley when he addressed an NBN seminar in Tamworth in September.
Ian Tiley, who is also a Clarence Valley Councillor, said in his keynote address that the NBN’s rollout opens an exciting new digital era.
On 22 June, Senator Conroy announced, as a key component of the National Digital Economy Strategy, a $17.1 million Digital Local Government Program to assist Local Governments take full advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
"There is no doubt that the NBN can make a huge difference to the lives, lifestyles and wellbeing of all Australians," he said.
"There is no doubt that Local Government, the closest tier of Government to the community, has a vital role in shaping thinking about how best to realise the potential of the NBN."
Councillor Tiley quoted Deloitte Access Economics, which recently stated that the direct contribution of the internet to the Australian economy was set to increase from $50 billion to about $70 billion over the next five years.
Deloitte argued that "the internet has transformed the Australian economy over the last 10 years, and is poised to play an even greater role in our daily lives and businesses as Australia positions itself to become a leading digital economy."
Councillor Tiley said there was also considerable economic benefits for councils and their communities through the opportunity to engage in co-investment projects with NBN Co, such as the undergrounding of power, network maintenance and upgrades, streetscaping, new bridges and road corridors.
He said the NBN rollout could help Australia become a global leader in high speed video, data and voice services.
"There is no doubt, in my view, that Local government can play, and is playing, a vital role at the local community coalface level to ensure the benefits of broadband will be equitably and widely enjoyed," he said.
"Worldwide, there is a wealth of evidence that municipal governments are heading towards a seamless transaction based relationship with customers."
Councillor Tiley said there is much Local Government could do in terms of the planning process, such as providing the NBN Co and its contractors with information about planning controls, heritage conservation areas, Commonwealth land and facilities, and proposed major development sites.
"There exists in communities with which I connect an ever-heightening expectation of an exciting, more productive, knowledge-based future."
Councillor Tiley said ALGA, the peak Australian local government organisation, has been active in advocating the establishment of high speed broadband, to enable greater connectivity, equitable delivery and price affordability across all communities in Australia.
"ALGA and the approximate 560 councils it represents, regards broadband as a key enabler of vital services, he said.
"The organisation supports the need to focus on realising the opportunities, and understanding the potential that high speed broadband can provide to business, communities and governments including Local Government."
