Related: NBN rollout planned from late 2016
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A leading advocate for broadband in Loddon Mallee has welcomed an announcement that an estimated 55,000 homes and businesses in Bendigo are part of the National Broadband Network’s three-year construction plan.
But iLoddon Mallee project consultant Margaret O'Rourke said the time frame for the plan is too slow and too many communities are still being left behind.
NBN Co announced a three-year construction plan last Friday and Ms O'Rourke said she was pleased with the number in Bendigo.
“Overall, we’re pleased – but we would like to see a quicker roll out,” she said.
“It is very exciting to see an announcement like this but when you read through you see it is not going to be build until into 2018 and 2019.
“We’re still disappointed that it’s not coming now and is still at least two years away and that there are still parts of the Loddon Mallee – where broadband is desperately needed – which still won't receive it.
“People need it now, they need it desperately and we’ll continue advocating for them.”
She said Maryborough, Kerang and Carisbrook were among the big winners, as they were included for the first time in the rollout. Fiber to the node (FTTN) will be provided for an estimated 4,700 premises in Maryborough and Carisbrook in 2017.
But Ms O'Rourke said too many communities were left “languishing” by the plan, with impacts on everything from education to economics.
“When businesses investigate setting up in a community access to broadband is in their top three questions,” she said.
“People make decisions on buying a property or building in sub-division and sometime it does come down to whether they have good access to broadband.
“It is just such an essential part of everyday life.”
In Bendigo, 34,200 premises in Big Hill, East Bendigo, Flora Hill, Golden Gully, Golden Square, Ironbark and Junortoun will receive FTTN.
Suburbs not included in the plan are: Strathfieldsaye, West Bendigo, White Hills Kangaroo Flat, Kennington, Long Gully, North Bendigo, Quarry Hill, Spring Gully, Strathdale.
An estimated 1,510 homes and businesses in Eaglehawk will recieved fixed wireless. These include the areas of Bridgewater on Loddon, Dingee, Lockwood, Marong, Raywood, Sebastian and Woodvale.
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