Shire keeps calling for better NBN

THE Surf Coast Shire has called for better National Broadband Network (NBN) connections for Bellbrae as part of its recent advocacy efforts, though there are doubts anything will come of it.

Councillors reaffirmed their strategic advocacy and state election priorities at their October meeting.

The report to councillors noted other advocacy actions taken over the quarter, including the council’s letter to the chair of NBN Co (Ziggy Switkowski) requesting the company and the shire “work together to identify another site locally for an additional tower, or work towards establishing a quality and affordable satellite service to deliver equitable NBN service in communities that do not have access to the NBN particularly around Bellbrae”.

At the October meeting, Cr Libby Coker said she was particularly passionate about getting better phone and internet services.

“While we need to construct towers, we need to ensure no-one is left behind. At the moment, there are a number of people in Bellbrae West who are struggling to get access to decent communications.”

Cr Heather Wellington said she endorsed Cr Coker’s comments, but had reservations.

“I think we’ve got some major areas of disadvantage but I don’t hold a lot of hope, really, about what we’re able to do about it, after the recent publicity about NBN Co.”

Complaints about the NBN rollout are on the rise, with a recent Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman report revealing complaints were up nearly 160 per cent over the past financial year.

The shire’s letter came about after the end of a long dispute between NBN Co and community group Committee for Equitable Telecommunications in Bellbrae (CETAB) about where the fixed wireless tower for Bellbrae should be built.

NBN Co and CETAB are in disagreement about the tower’s location, and thus which houses would get fixed wireless and which houses would be forced to use satellite internet; the slowest of the NBN’s mix of services.

NBN Co was ultimately successful in getting a planning permit from the shire at its preferred location at 1435 Anglesea Road.