NBN to roll into Rocky in 2013
ROCKHAMPTON is one of eight major Queensland areas to get the National Broadband Network cable in the next rollout, with construction to start in February next year.
But not everyone has welcomed the news with open arms.
The announcement made yesterday shows 29,700 businesses and homes in the Frenchville, Parkhurst and Rockhampton areas will be connected to the NBN in the next round.
It leaves the Capricorn Coast and Gracemere on the waiting list for a while longer.
Capricornia Federal MP Kirsten Livermore welcomed the announcement.
"This infrastructure for Rockhampton will help businesses; connect families to loved ones, and means that we can make use of leading edge medical and scientific technology," she said.
However, Flynn Federal MP Ken O'Dowd said people should not hold their breath.
"The NBN is now forecast to cost at least $50 billion, or 10 times the original budget," he said.
"Added to that, the rollout is running massively behind schedule; it was originally anticipated to be completed by 2013," Mr O'Dowd said.
Capricorn Enterprise chief executive officer Mary Carroll said Capricorn Enterprise had been proactive in the NBN community engagement and there was still confusion.
"Any advancement in technology for the business world is generally accepted in a positive light, however, the complexity of the NBN rollout and associated costs to businesses and individuals still remains unclear," she said.
Rockhampton businessman Geoff Murphy, who approached Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Conroy during one of his visits about the NBN rollout, was pleased with the announcement.
"I couldn't understand why they couldn't run it down the coast and get it much sooner (to Rockhampton)," he said
"It's something that's needed in areas like Central Queensland, not just Rockhampton.
"It will be a disadvantage to people in Gracemere and the coast that they are going to have to wait, but we will take what we can get," Mr Murphy said.
It takes about 12 months from the release by NBN Co of detailed maps of each location to the time broadband services can be ordered from providers.
Residents can visit nbnco.com.au/rollout to see the map.
Where NBN will go
Frenchville: Construction to start June 2013 to 13,100 premises in Berserker, Frenchville, Kawana, Koongal, Norman Gardens and Park Avenue.
Parkhurst: Construction to start June 2014 to 2400 premises.
Rockhampton: Construction to start February 2013 to 14,200 premises in Allenstown, Berserker, Depot Hill, Kawana, Park Avenue, Rockhampton City, The Range, Wandal and West Rockhampton.
