For the last twelve months we have been working with NBNCo in order to introduce high speed
Internet into the estate. Currently the spectrum of Internet speeds varies from poor to nonexistent with the current ADSL technology. Without high speed Internet the residents are doomed to technology backwaters especially in the booming areas of education, lifestyle and health. A high-end health application can even save your life. High speed Internet is becoming as important as basic infrastructure such as electricity, gas and emergency services.
NBNCo offered us a fixed line wireless pole solution initially giving every resident 25/5Mbps speeds and upgradeable to 50/20Mbps and beyond. Currently residents have speeds varying from zero to around 6/1Mbps maximum. This was voted down at an AGM in November 2015 and again at an EGM in June 2016. For the resolution to be passed, the NSW Strata Act required 100% support. With about 300 residents and 115 households 100% support would be a challenge and at each meeting a few residents voted against the resolution. Their concerns were health and safety, appearance of a 40m pole, location of a service road and possibly others. Unfortunately the environment within the estate did not allow us to meet with residents who are against the NBN, to explore common ground opportunities.
Since the July EGM we (a NBN sub-committee) have been working with a Federal minister and NBNCo in an attempt to find a solution that would eliminate these concerns.
NBNCo and the minister have worked with us in an attempt to find an affordable solution for over 12 months.
We were able to make this situation very clear to NBNCo and given this, plus the size of the estate, together with ministerial intervention we were
successful
in getting NBNCo to research other options and they have committed to explore a another option of providing high speed Internet to the estate probably in late 2017 without the need for a Strata vote.
A decision and possible schedule will not be available until early 2017 and no other details are known yet. The good news is that we should have fast Internet sometime soon without the need to further alienate fellow residents. This is a win-win for everyone. As soon as a timetable becomes available, we will share it with the EC and the whole community.
If anyone still has issues concerning NBN technologies or related impacts please don't hesitate in talking with any three of us or emailing us on
nbn@nangarin.com
given that the format at meetings can be confronting.