Economic and Regional Development
Big response to Broadband Investment Fund
Councils throughout the country have been active in submitting proposals to the Government's $325 million Broadband Investment Fund (BIF). By the closing date on 30 September 2008, 76 applications had been received with representation from the entire country and a good mix of urban and rural councils.
Of the total applications, 19 were full proposals to be considered for immediate funding, while the remainder were expressions of interest seeking to go to a full application stage. Full applications are being reviewed currently and recommendations are due for Cabinet approval on 1 December 2008.
Local Government New Zealand is gearing up to support successful regions with issues like aggregation of government broadband demands and developing broadband policies. For those councils and regions who will be required to provide more detailed business cases, there are a range of resources available that were promoted during the recent Broadband Investment Workshops conducted in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
This material is available by clicking the link below. There is reference to the Know How Guide, Broadband Friendly Protocols, Demand Mapping, Aggregation and the business case for council involvement by James Hettrick.
James Hettrick from USA is also scheduled for a return visit later in the year to work with some regions on their fibre to the home plans. James presented at the workshop series and highlighted the powers that councils have to influence high speed broadband connectivity in their communities through regulatory functions, land authorities, service demands and community networks.
Whilst there remains some uncertainty on the outcome of the BIF applications due to the general election, what is certain is that the major parties recognise the importance of telecommunications infrastructure to the national economy and the role that councils must play.
