Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Into the information age

Located 550 kilometres west of Cairns, and 170 kilometres from the Gulf of Carpentaria port of Karumba, the residents of Croydon Shire face problems of geographic isolation. With a population of around 500 people, almost half live in Croydon, the Shire's only town. In addition to the remote location, until recently the Shire's telecommunications system suffered from various technical, bureacratic and climatic impediments.

"In response, Croydon Shire Council undertook to create a modern, efficient and practical system that would cater for current and future needs of the community," said Chief Executive Officer, Peter Tiggemann.

Stage one, completed in May 1999, involved the installation of a 4.5 metre satellite dish, and high quality cabling to all households and businesses. This now provides access to all four free to air television stations, plus 11 pay television stations. By August 1999, all rural properties also had the same services.

Council is currently undertaking a feasibility study into using this infrastructure to provide internet access for all residents in the Shire, plus telephone access via satellite to the rest of Australia and the world.

As well as improving services for residents, Council believes this project has the potential to attract communication industries, such as telemarketing, into the area. In addition, it has improved facilities for tourists and opened up e-business opportunities for new and existing enterprises.

"Croydon Shire has played a proactive role in the battle to prevent the loss of capital, employment and people from the region," Peter Tiggemann said.

"This state of the art system has the potential to attract all these elements back to the region. It has given us the tools required to compete in the new information based economy of the future."

For further information contact Peter Tiggemann, telephone (07) 4745 6147.

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