Cooma Unlimited

Updated January 22, 2011

 
CURRENT SITUATION  20th September 2010
 
1. Cooma is very fortunate to have the basis for very fast broadband already in place.

2. The conduit for fibre optic cable was laid in the 60kph zone of Cooma when the natural gas pipes were laid some years ago so that the cost of rolling out the NBN now in Cooma will be substantially lower than where that infrastructure is not in place.

3. Telstra now owns the conduit system in Cooma and Telstra is currently negotiating on a nationwide basis with NBN Co for distribution and implementation rights.

4. The digital economy has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives including business, health, education and government services. The means to unlock this potential is broadband, the core infrastructure of the new century.

5. Broadband allows end users fast, 'always-on' online access to digital content, applications and a range of services that can occur simultaneously. Broadband access enables consumers to take full advantage of new communication tools and next generation applications.

6. The National Broadband Network (NBN) to be designed, built and operated by NBN Co will provide the enabling infrastructure to help Australia realize its digital potential.

7. The Mayor (and Council) have been in contact with the Member for Eden- Monaro over what will happen regarding Broadband in Cooma.

8 Adrian Blake has compiled a brief history and outline of the current situation in Cooma which includes the proposed design of the local network that will work best for the underground conduit.

9. Adrian and Nelson Wallace made a five minute presentation at Open Forum at the September Shire Council Meeting. Councillors were asked for their and Council’s support which was granted.

10. The roll out of the NBN in Cooma is now very urgent for the following reasons:

· Many other towns and cities are pushing their case for priority rollout and we can’t afford to be left behind when we have the advantage of practically all the earthworks being done.

· The possibility of University of Canberra setting up a campus in Cooma. In education the internet, closed circuit TV and fast conferencing from a distance play an ever increasing roll.

WHERE TO FROM HERE

1. Debate this draft paper at a meeting of the Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) and have a final draft approved by the CEDC.

2. Arrange for the Mayor to meet with the current CEDC sub committee so that activity is co-ordinated and not duplicated in any way.

3. Write to Federal politicians including the Member for Eden-Monaro, the Communications Minister and the shadow Communications Minister, and to the local Chair persons of the local branches of the major political parties.

4. Write to NBN Co outlining the current situation in Cooma and asking for accelerated roll out due to the fact that most of the infrastructure is already in place.

5. Find the Key people in these organizations who will help Cooma obtain Broadband services as quickly as possible.
 
Results so far:

1. Organised a meeting with representatives from TransACT from Canberra.
The meeting was chaired by the CMSC Mayor Dean Lynch and attended by representatives of communications businesses in Cooma, Snowy Hydro and University of Canberra.

The aim was to discuss with TransACT the possibility of rolling out fast broadband in Cooma and fast wireless links to the surrounding towns.

 NEXT STEPS

 August 2011
In spite of our efforts to have the roll out of fast broadband in Cooma speeded up we do not appear to be on the immediate list of NBN.

It appears we just have to wait our turn. At least the main trunk fibre optic cables are now in place.

P O Box 1239
COOMA NSW 2630

We welcome your comments or suggestions.

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