Ultrafast broadband - we're only half way there

July 31st, 2015

Motueka businesses and citizens keen for better local Internet broadband coverage are being asked to "use it or lose it" with regard to our application to government.

"We need your help," says the Motueka 2030 Facebook group page. "In order to complete the application of TDC on behalf of Motueka for fibre ultrafast broadband (UFB) to be supplied here, we need to help submit the second stage - a plan for how Motueka would benefit from UFB, and what practical projects for business and the community could be put together here to justify our request."

Thanks to outstanding work by members of the community and TDC, the first part of our Registration of Interest (ROI) for extended broadband internet access and mobile coverage has been submitted to government.

But we're only half way there, Council says in its Newsline publication. "We now need to submit a community-driven Digital Enablement Plan (DEP) to prove to the Government that there is a genuine appetite in our district for improved services, and it can't happen without your involvement."

At stake is a share of new government funding to extend the existing fibre networks to new urban areas, improve rural broadband access and tackle mobile phone blackspots.

Motueka is the top priority area in TDC's submission to government, with Wakefield and Golden Bay also being promoted as worthy of assistance.

The Digital Enablement Plan submission is due by September 18th, and must include community-driven ideas for the use of UFB - our stories, our plans to increase IT literacy in business and community groups, etc.

"Hence our catchcry - 'Use it or lose it'," the Motueka 2030 Facebook group says. "If we as members of the Motueka community don't come up with persuasive ideas in time, then it will only be our fault for not getting ultrafast broadband."

The challenge now is to put together a range of projects and activities driven by the community for the community, to ensure everyone benefits if we get these services, says TDC Cr Judene Edgar.

That the projects are community driven is a key decision criteria set by the Government. Projects could include digital literacy workshops for the elderly, seminars for business, programmes for retailers - the steering group preparing the DEP are looking for community ideas and input.

Local businesses might choose to get together to run a workshop, local schools may have digital literacy projects underway they would like to add to the plan, just to name a couple of examples.

If anyone would like to be involved in the steering group, or would like more information, contact Tara Fifield at . Or email David Armstrong (), one of the Motueka people involved in the initiative.

You can email David also if you have any concrete ideas on how Motueka would benefit from UFB, and what practical projects for business and the community could be put together here to justify the submission to government.

Comment by Coralie Smith:
[Posted 1 August 2015]

When Council say they want a plan do they mean over and above the community groups who already promote broadband eg SeniorNet, Motueka Online, Vision Motueka, Our Town Motueka, schools, Facebook pages such as Abel Tasman memories and Love Motueka? We all want faster broadband just for doing genealogy, historical research online etc. I don't understand how you put that into a community plan.

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