NATIONAL Broadband Network provider NBN Co has chosen Wolumla as the site of its first satellite ground station gateway.
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The new high-tech facility will transmit high-speed internet for the NBN’s Long Term Satellite Service to homes, farms and businesses in remote parts of Australia.
Wolumla will host the first of 10 such satellite facilities and construction is set to begin next year.
It is scheduled to be up and running in 2015.
The site for the ground station gateway and six satellite dishes in Wolumla was selected following extensive consultation with the Bega Valley Shire Council.
“The NBN ground station at Wolumla will play a vital role in the delivery of broadband to people living in the outback and offshore territories such as Norfolk and Christmas Islands,” NBN Co’s satellite project director Matt Dawson said.
“The physical location of a satellite ground station in the area doesn’t mean the town will miss out on fibre optic broadband,” he said.
“(Merimbula’s) size and population means, subject to finalisation of our rollout plans, we expect many in the town will receive the fibre optic service before the end of the planned 10-year rollout of the nationwide upgrade to Australia’s communication infrastructure.”
Bega Valley Shire Mayor Tony Allen welcomed the announcement.
“NBN Co’s decision to site the satellite ground station gateway at Wolumla is a very positive thing for the shire,” Cr Allen said.
“There will be opportunity for local businesses to reap the benefits of high-speed broadband Internet and for other residents and businesses to be drawn to the shire, taking advantage of our lifestyle over the congestion of city living.”
Cr Allen said that when the development application is lodged, NBN Co plans to make more information available about the construction of the site.
Community members will then be welcome to make comments and ask questions during the DA process.
