Regional Manager for AusIndustry, Tim Cotter; UNE Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Annabelle Duncan and Regional Development Australia Northern Inland Executive Officer, Nathan Axelsson, discussing NBN applications.
An invitation is being extended to small and medium business operators to attend a free information session. Entitled ‘How The NBN Will Change New England and Australia’, the timely event will outline in simple, practical terms, what the National Broadband Network will mean to local businesses. It will take place on Thursday, 10 March from 10am - 12noon in the Armidale BEC Conference Room, upstairs in the Hanna's Arcade, in Armidale’s East Mall. The event will cater for business people in Armidale, including those not in the first release trial zone. Organisers also hope to see business representatives from New England communities such as Glen Innes, Inverell, Walcha, Uralla, and Guyra come along.
The information session will be presented by Alun Davies, who is the Head of the NBN Work Group New England and a regional communications advocate. It is a joint initiative, with collaborating partners being Regional Development Australia Northern Inland, Industry & Investment NSW, the Industry Capability Network (ICN), Armidale BEC, and the Armidale & District Chamber of Commerce.
Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI), Nathan Axelsson explained why the NBN Information Session for local business operators was organised. “We identified a need to connect with small and medium businesses and tell them what the NBN will mean to them, in terms of the opportunities and benefits for their business.”
“There is a clear lack of understanding in the community about what the NBN will mean for small and medium sized businesses. There’s been a lot of information and talk about what the NBN will mean for medicine, education and research purposes but not necessarily on how the NBN will assist everyday businesses in our community to expand, find new markets or simply increase efficiencies,” he said.
As discussed at the University of New England’s recent regional summit, titled Setting the Agenda for Regional Futures, the utilisation and opportunities of the NBN cyber speed boost are still evolving. “Some of the applications that we’ll see in five or ten years are not even dreamt of yet,” Mr. Axelsson said. “There are enormous opportunities, especially for Armidale, which is effectively the first cab off the rank.”
The Information Session will provide business people with access to top NBN expertise. NBN Co Community Relations Adviser Darren Rudd will field questions on the rollout and its benefits for local communities. ICN Manager for Northern NSW, Greg Mann and the ICN NBN Sector Manager, David Anderson will also be on hand to answer questions on involvement in the construction phase of the NBN rollout. “Businesses across Northern Inland NSW should consider if they can provide goods or services for the NBN rollout. There are real construction opportunities and I urge the region’s businesses to put their hands up,” Mr. Axelsson said.
Business people wishing to attend this free information session are required to register by 5pm Friday 4 March, by contacting Chris Stanberg (Industry & Investment NSW) by phone [02 6771 3284] or email [chris.stanberg@industry.nsw.gov.au]. Attendees must advise of their name, business, position and their contact details.