Victoria's pitch for NBN HQ with $5 million ICT investment

Peter Dinham
Sunday, 26 July 2009 14:26

IT Industry - Market

In a clear pitch to those contemplating the location for the NBN corporation, Premier Brumby said that Victoria had been the national leader in accelerating productivity and service delivery using ICT for many years, through programs such as the Broadband Innovation Fund, eResearch and the Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund.

“This funding also builds on the recent announcement of the $50 million Institute for the Broadband Enabled Society (IBES), which will start the development of new fibre broadband applications.

This is another reason why Victoria is the natural home for the NBN Corporation along with Victoria’s impressive reputation in innovation and broadband technology.”

Brumby said the funding would target innovative projects that use next generation ICT in key areas such as environment, health, education, local government, emergency services and community services.
 
“Projects funded by the program will be tested in Victoria’s existing high-capacity broadband network areas and also in areas where the NBN is rolled out in Victoria.”

Victoria’s Minister for Information and Communication Technology John Lenders said the fund would bring together key industry, community and government players.

“Innovators across Victoria will be able to trial their products and services with real broadband users, and Victorian broadband users will benefit by getting first access to the most innovative applications the NBN will have to offer.”

John Lenders said the fund was part of the $15 million Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund (cIIF) which supports the innovative use of next generation ICT.

“Round 1 of the cIIF is currently underway, with projects supporting innovative applications of web 2.0 by industry, community and government organisations to be announced in October 2009.