The West Coast Council will facilitate a public forum to provide the community and stakeholders a chance to openly discuss the proposed satellite-only NBN technology the region will receive.

Council, and the West Coast community, believe that satellite-only NBN will limit the ability of the region to attract sufficient business investment to secure sustainability through business diversification and economic development.

“We have been actively seeking discussions with a range of people about the NBN issue, from the Federal Minister for Communications to TasICT, to seek a more appropriate NBN service for the West Coast,” Mayor Phil Vickers said.

The forum, to be held at the Queenstown Memorial Hall on 8 March, will provide attendees the opportunity to listen to West Coast industry leaders and key stakeholders as they speak about issues and opportunities linked to NBN technologies on the West Coast.

The West Coast community is concerned that satellite-only NBN will negatively impact their work towards diversifying their economy to remain a sustainable community, with the forum aiming to generate discussions and action plans regarding potential solutions to satellite-only NBN.

Partnerships and looking outside current frameworks will be needed to bring a change according to Mayor Vickers, “We know there is existing fibre infrastructure that could be utilised to provide the West Coast with a mix of technologies however for this to happen a change in policy at Federal level would be needed, along with a partnership between State and Federal Governments.”

People can RSVP to attend the forum by calling Council’s Economic Development, Tourism & Events Coordinator on 64 714 700 or email ecodev@westcoast.tas.gov.au.