Tasman and Motueka UFB submission completed

September 18th, 2015
[TDC press release plus local coverage]

TDC has submitted the district's Digital Enablement Plan in the second part of a two-stage application process to the funding announced by the Government.

The first stage, a registration of interest (ROI) in funding for ultrafast broadband (UFB), closed in July this year while the stage two submission closed yesterday.

The ROI invited Councils to provide supporting information to enable extension of ultra fast broadband, rural broadband and mobile blackspot coverage into the rural areas of the Tasman district. The work, while carried out by Government funded contractors, will be funded where the most benefit will be gained.

"The district's Digital Enablement Plan couldn't have happened without the close collaboration, co-operation and commitment of Tasman communities," said Councillor Judene Edgar.

Motueka took part in that process, represented by Eva Lawrence and David Armstrong of Vision Motueka and Johny O'Donnell of Our Town Motueka.

They contributed top the specific proposed regional project plans and also developed several project plans specific to Motueka, along with the help of Te Awhina Marae and local iwi entities. (See our earlier story for details.)

"All the groups, organisations and representatives who stepped up deserve recognition for making this plan a reality," Judene said.

"The submitted plan represents a community-wide commitment to working together to realise the opportunities identified in the many recent meetings held throughout the district.

"It is a living plan. It will keep changing as older projects finish and new projects come on. It also needs to be flexible to take advantage of rapid technology change, especially if our region is successful in receiving more funding.

"With one regional economy across the Tasman and Nelson region, the benefits will be region-wide.

"It will be a few months before anyone finds out which regions benefit will from the Government's investment. Regardless of outcome, as a community we're getting on with creating a digital future.

"While the funding isn't guaranteed, a good business case has been put forward to attract something from each of the three funds. Our ROI and Digital Enablement Plan is focused on delivering support and investment across the region for ultrafast broadband, rural broadband and mobile blackspot coverage."

Part of the regional project plan was to set up a regional portal for digital information, wearedigital.nz. The submitted Digital Enablement Plan is available for reading on that site.

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