Connecting the Coast

Conceived as the communications platform for both the Maroochy Clever Networks Project and the Noosa Clever Networks Project - now aligned under the Sunshine Coast Regional Council- the Connecting the Coast project is facilitating connectivity to high speed broadband for institutions, health-care providers and the general community in a partnership to secure over $11m in funding for much-needed new broadband infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast.

Connecting the Coast comprises two new fibre-optic trunks, new wireless capacity and a data centre - with the overall capacity to reach over half of the Sunshine Coast population and potentially 38,500 businesses in the local area.

Costing $11 million, the vital communications program facilitates connectivity to high speed broadband by connecting government, business, educational institutions, health-care and the general community, thus paving the way for effective, targeted investment across three critical sectors: education, business and health.

Among its many benefits, Connecting the Coast will grow the knowledge economy and enable small and home based business to operate more like big business, while driving community competition and next generation services.

In accordance with council tender and procurement processes, Connecting the Coast has pulled together direct investment from the Commonwealth Government, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Allegro Networks and Mach Technology, with in-kind contributions from Matthew Flinders Anglican College and Reed Property Group.

The Sunshine Coast economy is characterised by factors such as:

its small scale;
the need for environmental sensitivity;
a service industry base; and
high levels of creative and cultural value.

Within this context, supporting the knowledge economy is essential to the regions future prosperity, and resolving issues of connectivity - in terms of internet access and stakeholder relationships - is the essential element of the Connecting the Coast project.

Council is now looking to promote the use of new services and develop more strategies for future development, while working with local organisations to improve access to telecommunications by mandating broadband infrastructure in all new developments.

To find out more, visit the Connecting the Coast website and we encourage you to Get Involved!

All too often businesses and residents pay for a broadband internet connection based on speed, data (downloads and uploads) at a price. How can you confirm that the speed of connection is what you are paying for? Connecting the Coast is currently hosting a speedtest from its Cooroy Data Centre that provides an independent test of your connection to help you establish if you are receiving the service you are paying for. Test your connection now!