Growers in the Carnarvon horticulture district will soon have access to high-speed broadband under the latest round of the McGowan Government’s successful Digital Farm program.
The McGowan Government will invest $600,000 to support high-speed, enterprise grade broadband services to about 50 agribusinesses and residents along the Gascoyne River in Carnarvon, across an area of up to 660 square kilometres.
The grant from the second round of the Digital Farm Grants Program was awarded to Bunbury-based network company CipherTel, and has had strong cash and in-kind support from the Shire of Carnarvon, local growers and businesses.
The State-wide Digital Farm program is progressing strongly, delivering broadband to more than 1,200 agribusinesses, across more than 41,000 square kilometres from Kununurra to the Great Southern under the inaugural round.
The $7 million initiative is bridging the ‘digital divide’ in regional Western Australia by delivering fast, reliable, affordable and scalable broadband outside the fixed line and fixed wireless National Broadband Network.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Carnarvon is one of our State’s key horticultural production areas, but unreliable and slow connectivity is holding local growers back.
“This funding will bring enterprise-grade broadband to about 50 businesses along the Gascoyne River, allowing growers to utilise the 21st century technology needed to remain competitive.
“The Digital Farm Grants Program has been pivotal in transforming regional businesses into sophisticated, modern operations that use digital connectivity to embrace sensor technology, remote monitoring, digital recording and marketing to build growth and profitability.
“This year, more than ever before, we have come to realise just how important high-grade digital connectivity is to all Western Australians for modern business operations, as well as education, telehealth and social interaction.”
