Broadband Capacity Installation into New Subdivisions

The following sections have been extracted from the 'Installation of Broadband Capacity into New Subdivisions' Report.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to propose incorporation into the Ballarat Planning Scheme provisions that require subdivisions to allow for a minimum capacity of broadband services to be made available in all new residential, commercial and industrial developments.

Background

The City of Ballarat has for a long period of time focussed on being a lead agent in the facilitation of the installation of new communications technology. This has been demonstrated by the Citys involvement in the Collaborative Optical Leading Testbed Project and through the presence and activities of the cBallarat Board. The City of Ballarat has also worked closely with providers such as Neighborhood Cable to ensure that residents and businesses have access to multiple options for their services.

The City of Ballarat would now like to seek to implement controls under the planning scheme that will ensure that new residential, commercial and industrial developments in Ballarat have a high level of connectivity. It is proposed that the City of Ballarat recommend and enforce conditions under the planning scheme to developers of new developments a minimum of capacity to the broadband access that is to be supplied to each lot. This would raise the importance and recognition of broadband to a level where the service would be valued to a similar level as water, sewerage and gas.

At this stage it is not the intention of the City of Ballarat to recommend the type of technology that should be utilized, the City of Ballarat is aware that the vehicle for delivery can vary between copper wire, fibre, satellite and wireless solutions, although it is envisaged that this paper will raise these points for discussion. The City of Ballarat is more focussed on the capacity and levels of the points of access for the end user.

Conclusion

The City of Ballarat has the opportunity to propose incorporating into the Ballarat Planning Scheme the delivery of infrastructure that will prove to be of vital importance in years to come. It is appropriate that access to broadband be seen in a similar perspective as is the supply of water, energy, gas and sewerage to a new subdivision. Community input into Blueprint Ballarat, the Ballarat Economic Development Strategy and the Ballarat ICT Strategy has highlighted the high level of importance place upon information technology and access to broadband. It is envisaged that this policy will attempt to meet some of these needs.

Recommendations

1. That the City of Ballarat determine that the minimum level of broadband to be supplied to all new residential, commercial and industrial developments be set at a level of 5 MB per second.
2. That the City of Ballarat not determine or specify the method of delivery of broadband, but simply required that a minimum capacity be made available.
3. That the City of Ballarat seek feedback from the relevant stakeholders and the community in regard to the level minimum capacity of broadband to be installed to all new residential, commercial and industrial developments.
4. That the City of Ballarat advertise this intention through the normal planning exhibition process and seek to have the policy incorporated into the Ballarat Planning Scheme, subject to modifications that may occur as a result of public comment.
5. That the draft policy be referred to cBallarat, the Municipal Association of Victoria and Multi Media Victoria for further comment.

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Installation of Broadband Capacity into New Subdivsions - Full Report