Queensland’s first direct international data and telecommunications connection to global markets is on track for mid-2020, with the undersea fibre optic cable reaching Sunshine Coast shores in January.
The cable, which is laid on or buried under the sea floor, will connect the Sunshine Coast to the 7000 km Japan-Guam-Australia South (JGA-S) submarine cable.
In preparation for the submarine cable coming ashore, Sunshine Coast-based business Auscom installed underground cable between the beach landing and the cable landing station.
Mayor, Mark Jamieson, said, “The cable landing station will house the connection point for the international submarine cable with landside communication networks and has the capacity to cater for four submarine cables and houses 24 data cabinets.
“We will have an extraordinary capacity to accommodate fast, reliable transfer of data across the world.”
Minister for State Development, Cameron Dick, said the cable would see Queensland connected to a new era of jobs growth in data-
hungry future industries.
“The cable will be able to provide Australia’s fastest data and telecommunications transmission speeds from the eastern seaboard to Asia and the second fastest to the US.”
The Minister said an independent assessment commissioned by Sunshine Coast Council found the project could lead to an estimated 864 new jobs in the Sunshine Coast region and could generate $927 million for Queensland’s economy.
“This is huge investment in the future for this fast-growing part of our state, and once delivered will be the only international cable landing on the Australian east coast outside of Sydney.”
Mayor Jamieson acknowledged the $15 million contribution from the Queensland Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund in helping make this investment-generating project a reality.
“In the future, the Sunshine Coast will be at the top of the list when companies needing big data consider where to set-up in Queensland and Australia.
“Once again, our Council is at the forefront of thinking outside the square, securing new revenue sources and pursuing opportunities to generate economic and employment growth as a major dividend for our residents, ensuring we continue to be Australia’s healthy, smart, creative region.”
