BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au
ISSUE 730 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
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Cheer for homeless Page 3 â– Botched letter drop Page 3 â– Warning on snakes Page 5
NBN taskforce pushes for early broadband rollout
Pop out for fun
FIRST BYTE
EAGLEHAWK’S McKern Skate Park will host a major skate and BMX competition as part of a community family fun day planned for Sunday, October 16. The event will also include a skate clinic, as well as giveaways, cash prizes, a jumping castle, animal farm, and a free sausage sizzle.
By ROSEMARY SORENSEN
THE clock is ticking down on Bendigo’s opportunity to get in early on “a new way of life�. “Our number one goal is to bring NBN to Bendigo sooner and we think we have about eight weeks in which to influence them,� Bruce Winzar said this week. “NBN will be rolled out eventually but this will mean instead of three years it will be here in the next 12 months. “We have to make a strong case that we are ready.� Mr Winzar is chairman of the steering committee of representatives from Bendigo’s business, health, education and development sectors. They are working with the City of Greater Bendigo to present a case to the National Broadband Network company to “move Bendigo up the list� for the rollout of pipes and cable. Mr Winzar, who is executive director of information services at Bendigo Health, said broadband will usher in a “new wave of technology� which will change the way everything is done, from virtual health services to how you order a pizza. “The benefits will flow to all areas,� he said. “It’s estimated that by 2020 there will be 50 billion smart devices and sensors connected to the internet. “Technology is faster and smaller and cheaper, and our lifestyle is saying anything we can do to make our life easier we will start to use.� Retailers have recently begun to offer plans for home users for 50Mbs download
HIGH TIMES: Josh Hodgson hits the heights for onlookers. Photo: ZOE DEAN
Here is our
and 20 Mbs upload (on average at least double the speeds currently on offer) for less than $100 a month. “It will be competitive,� Mr Winzar said. “As more retailers come in you will expect it to sharpen the price. “If NBN came to Bendigo, we could have multiple retailers offering services and the price will come down.� Mr Winzar said the committee and council strategy for the NBN business case in Bendigo will be based on “significant differentiators�, such as health (with the new hospital as trump card), education (with La Trobe University a strong regional presence), and development (with all new residential estates NBN ready since January this year).
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TASK FORCE: Bruce Winzar.
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