By Kate Taylor<\/p>\n
A bi-partisan relationship with a bank and a council will bring a town into the future with free wi-fi.
\nBallan Community Bank Branch has partnered with Moorabool Shire council on a project in the main street.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re very excited to offer free wi-fi in the main street of Ballan,\u201d Council\u2019s CEO Derek Madden told the Moorabool News.
\n\u201cIt will provide a great opportunity for residents, visitors and our many home-based business owners to spend time at cafes or on our new outdoor bench seats and have quality access to the internet,\u201d he said.
\nThe hardware and equipment costs for the project are about $8,000 \u2013 the Ballan Bank will pay $4,000 and council will pay the remaining half along with installation and ongoing costs.
\nIt is projected the wi-fi will be up and running in coming weeks.
\nBallan Community Bank Branch manager Luke Calder said there is one wi-fi antenna at the bank, as well as one at the Mechanics\u2019 Institute and two at other businesses, providing the whole street with free wi-fi.
\n\u201cIt\u2019ll just be free, no password, free wi-fi for everyone,\u201d he told the Moorabool News.
\n\u201cWe believe that it\u2019s a great opportunity for people in Ballan to be able to access the internet – there may be people who haven\u2019t got the ability to access the internet in their homes, and there are kids who may need to log on for school work, or people who may want to do job applications. By doing this, we believe we are putting in an asset and making our town a more attractive place to be,\u201d he said.
\n\u201c\u2026and providing services that everyone can log onto. We\u2019re trying to make life easier for the people of Ballan.\u201d
\nCentral Ward councillor Paul Tatchell said there has been and is, a strong focus on economic development.
\n\u201cFree wi-fi encourages people to frequent the local businesses and reduce the cost of complimentary services,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cFree wi-fi is not a new idea and is common-place in tourist towns.\u201d
\nCr Tatchell said he was pleased that \u201cwe (council) are continuing to promote and enhance the buy local theme.\u201d
\nAnd if you live in Bacchus Marsh and think you have missed out, don\u2019t panic. A Council spokesperson said the work being done in Ballan is a pilot project.
\n\u201cWe will monitor the success of this project and then determine if we can expand the free Wi Fi service into other areas.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Kate Taylor A bi-partisan relationship with a bank and a council will bring a town into the future with free wi-fi. Ballan Community Bank Branch has partnered with Moorabool Shire council on a project in the main street. \u201cWe\u2019re very excited to offer free wi-fi in the main street of Ballan,\u201d Council\u2019s CEO Derek […]<\/p>\n