Supporting the National Broadband Network in Far North Queensland Submission to NBN Co. Ltd A JOINT INITIATIVE OF Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 6 1. Regional Overview .................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Far North Queensland Region ......................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Regional Population and Growth ..................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Key Population Centres ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.1 Cairns ............................................................................................................................................. 8 1.3.2 Innisfail ........................................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.3 Mareeba ........................................................................................................................................ 9 1.3.4 Atherton ........................................................................................................................................ 9 1.3.5 Cooktown ...................................................................................................................................... 9 2. Regional Economy – Profile and Positioning for Growth ..................................................................... 11 2.1 Economic Profile............................................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Far North Queensland Digital Economy Strategy ....................................................................... 13 2.3 ICT Industry Growth Potential ........................................................................................................ 13 2.4 Growing Tropical Expertise & Innovation ..................................................................................... 14 2.5 Education & Equity .......................................................................................................................... 14 2.6 Indigenous Population ..................................................................................................................... 14 3. Supporting NBN ..................................................................................................................................... 15 3.1 Single Point of Contact ................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Far North Queensland NBN Working Group ............................................................................... 15 3.3 Commitment to Working with the Community ............................................................................ 16 3.4 Community Engagement Planning ................................................................................................ 16 4. The Planning Case for NBN .................................................................................................................... 17 4.1 Supportive Planning Framework .................................................................................................... 17 4.1.1 GIS Information ........................................................................................................................... 17 4.1.2 Planned Developments – Operational Works .......................................................................... 18 4.1.3 Local Planning Codes and Development Application Requirements .................................... 18 4.1.4 Heritage Precincts and Environmentally Significant Zones ..................................................... 18 4.1.5 Overhead/Underground Power Infrastructure ......................................................................... 18 4.1.6 Location of Existing Ducts and Shared Trench Arrangements ............................................... 18 4.1.7 Opportunities for Co-Investment with Council Works ............................................................ 18 4.1.8 Strategic Planning & Greenfield Sites ....................................................................................... 19 4.1.9 Scope of Current Development ................................................................................................ 19 4.2 Significant Planned Development .................................................................................................. 20 4.2.1 Mount Peter Master Planned Area ............................................................................................ 20 4.2.2 Edmonton Town Centre ............................................................................................................. 21 4.2.3 Edmonton Business & Industry Park (Pregno Industrial Site) .................................................. 21 4.2.4 Mareeba Industrial Park ............................................................................................................. 21 4.2.5 Smithfield Town Centre .............................................................................................................. 21 4.2.6 East Woree Industrial Park ......................................................................................................... 21 4.2.6 Existing Fibre Optic Developments in Cairns .......................................................................... 21 2 | Supporting the National Broadband Network in Far North Queensland 5. Infrastructure .......................................................................................................................................... 22 5.1 Existing Fibre Footprint .................................................................................................................. 22 5.1.1 Telstra ........................................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.2 Optus, Nexium and AARNET .................................................................................................... 22 5.1.3 Cairns and Tablelands Regional Councils ................................................................................. 22 5.2 Transport Connects .......................................................................................................................... 22 5.2.1 Air ................................................................................................................................................. 23 5.2.2 Road ............................................................................................................................................. 23 5.2.3 Rail................................................................................................................................................ 23 5.2.4 Sea ............................................................................................................................................... 23 6. Industry Capability ................................................................................................................................. 24 7. Education and Training Delivery ........................................................................................................... 25 8. Regional Case Studies ............................................................................................................................. 25 Appendix A – Regional Maps ..................................................................................................................... 27 Map 1 Palm Cove to Gordonvale – Multi Unit Development and Broadband Estates .............. 28 Map 2 Palm Cove to Gordonvale – Development Site and Telstra Exchanges ........................... 29 Map 3 Estimated Residential Development – Mareeba ................................................................. 30 Map 4 Estimated Residential Development Yeilds – Atherton ..................................................... 31 Map 5 Cooktown ................................................................................................................................ 32 Map 6 Ayton ........................................................................................................................................ 33 Map 7 Lakeland and Laura ................................................................................................................. 34 Map 8 Portlands .................................................................................................................................. 35 Map 9 Coen ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Map 10 Rossville .................................................................................................................................... 37 Map 11 Marton .....................................................................................................................................