Digital Regional Initiative funding raised to $60m

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 12 May 2009 16:51

IT Industry - Strategy

The Federal Budget has allocated an additional $14m over four years to the $46m Digital Regions Initiative announced in March as response to recommendations in the Glasson review.

The Digital Regions Initiative is designed to improve the delivery of education, health and emergency services in regional, rural and remote communities in partnership with state, territory and local governments. Those seeking funding will be required to match federal funding.

Applications for funds under the initial allocation were due to be called by September 2009 with projects expected to commence in early 2010. Projects were to be selected through a competitive selection process and expected to offer sustainable solutions and longer term benefits for regional Australians.

Possible candidates were remote medical consultation, diagnosis and treatment to address regional skills shortages; digital resources and services such as teleconferencing to improve access to educational opportunities for regional, rural and remote students; and digital technologies to improve emergency and disaster response.

$5m to fund Rural NBN advocates
The budget has also allocated $5m for the appointment of Rural NBN Coordinators to encourage local government, community and business usage of broadband to improve broadband affordability.
 
"A key role for these coordinators will be to encourage take-up of the opportunities provided by the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program, communications minister, Stephen Conroy said...Rural NBN Coordinators would be assigned to regional backbone projects. They will live and work in the local community, have a sound knowledge of broadband, and be able to quickly establish strong working relationships with local governments and businesses."

The Regional Backbone Blackspots Program will fast-track a $250 million investment in backbone fibre optic transmission links to regional centres identified has not having competing alternative providers of fibre backhaul links.