Presentation to RDA Northern Rivers Troy Green, Director Technology & Corporate Services Local Government & the NBN Roll Out 9 June 2011
Broadband in the Tweed In the beginning.. Poor access to broadband across the Shire. New Estates Pair Gain System. Mobile coverage drop outs and black spots. Price penalty compared to city counterparts. Limited competition due to limitation of available infrastructure. Council services and need to host on Gold Coast for e-business. Personal experience of gaining broadband in the Tweed. Attitude of many (including some Telco s) - You re in the Country.
We re in the country Conclusion - We could accept We re in the country and therefore get used to an inferior service, lower speeds and higher costs than city cousins. Our community and future generations would have to accept that they would have inequitable education, health, work, entertainment and business opportunities. OR - We could act and use our position as Local Government Leaders to advocate for improved services and engage the community and other tiers of government to affect improved services to the region.
Enter TEDC Tweed Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) began to receive complaints from local businesses that poor access to broadband in the Shire was limiting their growth or was a deterrent from either staying in the district or influencing their decision to relocate outside of the Shire. Example 1. Loss of business - major aged care provider from Pottsville relocating to the Gold Coast because of inadequate broadband. Example 2. Industry Central fibre enabled estate with no backhaul to connect to limited opportunity to attract big enterprise requiring high speed affordable broadband. Estate had capacity to act as a distribution hub but broadband availability a drawback. Council was also beginning to receive complaints from small business complaining that not only was their broadband poor but that their mobile coverage was so poor that they could not even operate as a modern business that could be contacted in the workplace. E.g., small boutique crops and orchard in western parts of shire missing orders for goods. These events ultimately led to Council forming a partnership with TEDC with the aim of acting locally to influence better access to all telecommunication services within the Shire.
Telecommunications Infrastructure Action Plan Council and TEDC together with GDI Consulting developed a Telecommunications Infrastructure Action Plan (TIAP). The Plan sets out to define broadband telecommunications from a global perspective and reviews approaches being undertaken to develop broadband infrastructure. The purpose of the project was to prepare an action plan which would provide direction and advice to Council on how to provide better telecommunications for the Tweed and to look at the economic benefits which would be derived. Elected body buy in Plan endorsed by Council at its meeting of 28 May 2009
A time to act The Plan included 12 direct actions that Council could undertake to influence better telecommunications and broadband outcomes for the Shire. A Telecommunications Infrastructure Working Group was established within Council the group reports to Council on progress of the Actions. The Group comprises key staff from across the organisation including: Three Directors, Manager Development Assessment, Coordinator Development Engineering, Planning & Infrastructure Engineer, Manager Information Technology, Planning Reforms Coordinator, Property and Legal Services Officer, Open Space Officer, Network Administrator and the Economic and Corporate Planner.
A snap shot of actions identified in the Plan Prepare policies within Council that support the development of communications precincts. Establish regulatory controls on property developers. Establish policies to develop fibre optic infrastructure to connect Council s branch offices as part of its own consumption requirements. Establish policies to facilitate telecommunications ducting (pits and pipes) to be included in all future capital works programs. Establish policies to make available volumetric spare capacity of Council own ducting for use by other parties on commercial terms. Lobby the Federal Government to impose regulatory controls on Telstra to make available its last mile pits and pipes for use by other telecommunications service providers including lead-in cables. Lobby both State and Federal Governments. Prepare a register of Council facilities that Service Providers can access for use to house telecommunications equipment. Work with ACMA to educate property developers and planners on building cabling standards such as the Digital Building Guideline (http://www.acma.gov.au/web/standard/pc=pc_569).
Examples of external actions taken to date Digital Regions Submissions x 3 (Telstra mobile towers; Country Energy Fibre network; Vertel Digital 2-way emergency network). Submission to Department of Planning re: Discussion Paper Planning controls to facilitate broadband roll out. Gobroadband Alliance led by Southern Cross University and 14 council from NOROC and MidGOC submission to NBN The benefits of early adoption for the National Broadband Network spanning Australia s Eastern Regional Corridor (www.gobroadband.org.au ) NSW Parliament Submission to Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities. Wrote to every Tasmanian Council on NBN implementation. North Coast Innovation Festival Tweed Action Plan. Submission to the NBN Implementation Study recommendations. Submission to NBN Co Limited re: Work as executed plans. Joined the Broadband Today Alliance Silver Sponsor www.broadbandtoday.com.au Information to NBN Co. on new developments, capital works and Council facilities within the Shire.
Examples of internal actions taken to date Engagement with MCF (Mobile Carrier Forum) Matt Evans and each carrier representative plus TCI and Daly International. Meetings with other telecommunication companies (Crown Castle; Vertel; Brian Mollet Sandhurst and Sanctuary Lakes Development VIC; ClubCom). Experience of others: Michael Whereatt Sunshine Coast; Whittlesea. Discussions with carriers on Council owned infrastructure (water reservoirs) regarding construction of purpose built towers adjacent to the reservoirs. Commenced fibre deployment using expertise of Andrew Sales Coffs Harbour City Council (CCTV plus Admin to Coolamon Centre in disused water mains). Mobile Broadband Black spot testing Resulted in affirmative action by one carrier with three additional mobile locations and two more currently being considered plus an upgrade to other sites. Planning Controls on new developments (New Standard Condition: In accordance with the Federal Government's National Broadband Network (NBN) initiatives, the Developer is required (at the Developer s expense) to install a fibre ready, pit and pipe network (including trenching, design and third party certification) to NBN CO s Specifications, to allow for the installation of Fibre To The Home (FTTH) broadband services).
TIAP Economic Drivers Broadband today as a critical element in the development and commercial sustainability of business generally. Recognised broadband (fixed and wireless) as generating the next wave of economic expansion. Advanced telecommunication networks will open up new markets. Broadband will achieve significant productivity gains for industry. Access to high quality, affordable telecommunications services is more important than ever if the region is to keep pace with capital cities as well as compete in an international market place where more and more products and services are being acquired online. Telecommunications, and especially broadband is a key enabling technology that successful countries will utilise to gain a competitive advantage, to attract new investment in new product and industry development, to fully participate in international trade and to secure economic growth. Broadband will greatly enrich community life by allowing access to a wider range of information and services delivered with unprecedented convenience and flexibility.
Broadband: Economic advantages for Tweed For the Tweed it will: Enable and encourage the attraction of new job generating investment in the fields of commercial and industry development as well as encourage growth in home based businesses; It will assist and is critical to managing future health and aging services, such as aging in place through tele-health and e-health; It will enable TSC to provide the type of telecommunication service interface necessary to enable improved delivery of services generally, but specifically in the lodgement, tracking and monitoring of DA s and other like local government services; It will provide improved access to other tiers of government, NGO and private sector services; and It is critical to encouraging and managing growth in education across the broad spectrum of tertiary and secondary services including trades and other skills development.
NBN: The winners are The winners of NBN are not those communities cabled first, but those that get prepared with a Digital Economy Strategy to renew their economies and industries so as to create new investment and job opportunities. Hon. David Bartlett, Director, Bartlett & Associates (former Premier Tasmania), Insights into the NBN roll-out in Tasmania, CeBIT Sydney, 31 May 2011.
A Regional Community Opportunity Broadband is vital infrastructure for the future of the Nation and for genuine renewal of regional economies. Three key ingredients for success of local regional economies: 1. Physical infrastructure followed by services that run on that infrastructure. 2. A local narrative - vision for NBN is a critical success factor (Regional Vision Narrative). 3. Need local Community Engagement and Digital Economy Strategy. Local Government, local regional development, and local leaders have the capacity to engage and create the vision. The local narrative must have a human element. Preparation for arrival of NBN cannot be done by Canberra alone - Northern Rivers as a region need to get prepared. A Regional Digital Economy Strategy can prepare our region to renew our economies and industries so as to create new investment and job opportunities. The Strategy can be broadened to consider new Health, Education, Government and Emergency Service opportunities that can be delivered by the NBN throughout the region.
Steps to create a Regional Strategy To create that Strategy the following is suggested: 1. ICT industry engagement in the local area. ICT industry can be great champions. Need to ensure narrative not solely from this sector or the community may think NBN is only for geeks. 2. Local / other industry involvement required. 3. Plan for and create right regulatory framework, e.g., opt out laws. 4. Local Government plan for the ratepayers and policies which complement the NBN. 5. In home engagement - run advertising campaign with local examples. 6. Include emergency services, education and health sectors. 7. Renewal plan for local economy. 8. Local content platform.
Don t re-invent the wheel NBN Co. have business, health and education examples of opportunities presented by NBN http://www.nbn.gov.au/media-centre/videos/in-business-with-the-nbn/ http://www.nbn.gov.au/media-centre/videos/nbn-video-news/ http://www.nbn.gov.au/media-centre/videos/grampians-rural-health-alliance/ http://www.nbn.gov.au/media-centre/videos/nbn-video-5/ Southern Cross University (SCU) and Prof Peter Croll through the Broadband Alliance have started and already created momentum in the Region should we build on this? www.gobroadband.org.au Many other regions have already created Digital Economy Strategies and many councils are already participating as members or sponsors of the Broadband Today Alliance how can we continue to strengthen this relationship and support their efforts? www.broadbandtoday.com.au Broadband Today Alliance comprises 64 different councils, 28 Affiliates (RDAs, LGAQ, DBCDE, NBN Co., AIIA, Comms Alliance, ATUG, 4 Universities) across 5 states and representing population base of 5.9million. National Digital Economy Strategy www.nbn.gov.au/digitaleconomystrategy Digital Sydney http://www.digitalsydney.com/
Digital Sydney not just about Sydney Digital Sydney promotes Sydney & NSW as Australia s digital capital. It states Our digital ecosystem embraces Regional NSW from Byron Bay to Broken Hill. Being digital, you don t need to be in Sydney to be part of Digital Sydney. It s about enabling and supporting activities within the digital realm in order to create and sustain jobs. Promotes investment in and uptake of emerging digital technology.
Applying the National Strategy aims Regionally A bold National vision. By 2020 Australia will be among the worlds leading digital economies The National Digital Economy Strategy s eight goals aim to: 1. increase Australian households online participation 2. increase Australian business and not-for-profit organisations online engagement 3. smartly manage our environment 4. improve health and aged care 5. expand online education 6. increase teleworking 7. improved online government service delivery and engagement 8. increase digital engagement in regional Australia How can we apply these National aims to a Regional Strategy?
RDA Engagement NBN Co has advised that RDAs and local councils can provide the following information to assist in the planning process: Zoning maps and planning controls Identification and location of heritage conservation areas and/ or heritage items (both indigenous and non-indigenous) Location of environmentally significant areas (conservation/ protected areas, national parks/ nature reserves, wetlands, bushland, significant trees) Any specific local planning controls, policies or codes that may apply specifically to telecommunication facilities Conformation of any local exemptions, restrictions or prohibitions for telecommunication facilities Development application requirements (if necessary), including likely timeframes, processes, etc. Location of Commonwealth land and education, health or government facilities Location of major development proposals and areas (e.g. greenfield sites), major infrastructure locations or areas that require major upgrades to infrastructure Co-investment opportunities Streetscape works Capital works
Get Prepared Fibre Deployment Bill introduced March expected to pass through the House 20 June, Senate 2 nd week July and enacted by end of July. The Bill essentially ensures Fibre Ready Infrastructure ois in place for new developments need for Infrastructure Planners and Developers awareness. Home Wiring Guide www.nbnco.com.au/newdevelopments includes Pit and Pipe Installation Guide and Building Design Guide for Developers. New Developments installers selected by NBN Co. (Fujitsu & Service Stream). Wireless Readiness (2250 towers are required nationwide for the wireless network, 75% of these will be new towers. Begin working with NBN Co. now to identify and understand location and if they will be impact accessible requiring DA or exempt and complying. Wireless Services to be deployed nationally between 2012 to 2015 (this will pre-date fibre for some of our communities. CSIRO & NGARA Project High speed wireless trial Walcha. Impact of ACMA Digital Dividend Auction - Case for 7MHz, 14MHz and 28MHz frequencies being postponed until after NBN rollout CSIRO able to use this Analogue TV Spectrum to deliver fast wireless broadband essential for regional and remote economies. Discussion paper now calling for comment.
How are our neighbours getting ready? Gold Coast Industry and Development Officer Tanya Lipus. www.businessgc.com.au 854 ICT Businesses on Gold Coast 2306 FTE employees 10.8% exporting (NZ, India, Asia) Attracted IBM Research and Development Team and currently in discussion with 9 other businesses to relocate to Gold Coast (7 Australia, 1 India, 1 NZ) Focussing on assisting businesses expand their customer base AusTrade dedicated assistance. Took 3 business to Hong Kong Trade Expo 5 more this year. Gold Coast Innovation centre (established in conjunction with Griffith Uni) www.gcic.net.au NBN Business Case - David Eyves consultant (focussed on Coffs Harbour to Noosa). Feasibility study of tapping into the submarine cable from Sydney to Guam 160km off the coast at Gold Coast. Approx coast $20M. Huge economic benefits for the Gold Coast and Northern NSW with business opportunities (capacity to increase financial services, call centres, etc) to Sydney and South East Asia, as well as Defence - Amberley. Existing international trunks only to Sydney and two to WA. QLD Dept Employment, Economic Development & Innovation (NSW I&I equivalent) Today hosting a Smart Business & Digital Economy day in Brisbane. Program to make business aware and prepare them for NBN. Focussed on non ICT industry. Creating a digital information toolkit for Queensland businesses including training modules with examples of what it means to local communities (e.g., family in remote mining town).
Where to from here? Bartlett & Associates (Hon David Bartlett B.Sc., Grad.Dip.Bus, FAIM) ABN 96 150 701 410 david.bartlett@me.com Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation (ACBI) A national research initiative established by the NSW Government, CSIRO and NICTA. Provides unique opportunities for the creation of innovative broadband enabled services particular emphasis on broadband services for Regional Australia. Gary Doherty CSIRO ICT Centre gary.doherty@csiro.au www.csiro.au/partnerships/acbi Dr Terry Percival - NICTA Terry.Percival@nicta.com.au Southern Cross University Broadband Alliance www.gobroadband.org.au
A Way Forward 1. Resolve to put a proposal to the GMs Group (July meeting) to fund consultancy sponsored through NOROC to develop a Regional Digital Economy Strategy or Regional Digital Strategy embracing the economy, health and education sectors, emergency and Government services. 2. Seek co-funding /partnership with Industry & Investment 3. Facilitation through Craig Kelly (Executive Officer NOROC) and Industry and Investment with input / collaboration of RDA Northern Rivers. 4. Identify key members of task force from representative councils, chambers, RDA, DTIRIS (I&I), ICT. 5. Prepare brief for GM s Group. 6. Brief must include a local narrative. 7. Local Community / Business Engagement RDA. 8. Prepare brief for consultancy services. Conclusion Lets get prepared with a Strategy underpinned by renewal and backed by the new services that will benefit our regional from a health, education, emergency, government services and economic perspective.