Peninsula stands to lose $41 million in broadband, says campaigner

The Peninsula stands to lose more than $41 million in broadband infrastructure investment if the Federal Coalition wins the election, according to broadband campaigner Mr David Abrahams of Organise Internet.

Mr Abrahams said the figure was the difference between the value of work currently contracted to take place on the Peninsula, and what would be delivered by the Coalition broadband policy of only providing Fibre-To-The-Node.

"Stopping the NBN at this stage will be a massive blow to the Peninsula and leave the area with internet speeds a mere 2.5 per cent of those that will be available in the Gosford CBD from December," said Mr Abrahams.

"Local firms would also lose more than $100 million in contract payments under the Coalition's watered-down NBN policy."

Mr Abrahams said he had sent his calculations to candidates for the federal election and to all Gosford and Wyong councillors.

"After more than a decade of lobbying and business planning and having infrastructure plans signed and published the Central Coast now risks a massive de-investment.

"Furthermore, the region is set to be dotted with hundreds of large street cabinets if the Coalition's plans go ahead."

These cabinets were the so-called nodes in the alternative NBN plans.

"They are much larger than the current NBN fibre cabinets as they will require power supplies for the old copper network."

In the UK, the cabinet dimensions are 1.8 metres high by 2.2 metres wide and one metre deep.

Mr Abrahams said about 1000 of this street furniture would be installed on the Central Coast.

"Local community groups and councillors need to be aware of the consequences of the alternative NBN plans," said Mr Abrahams.

"I'm a local small businessman, not a politician or party member, though I do recognise good and poor policy.

"The Central Coast has suffered poor service and expensive telecommunications costs for decades.

"Indeed many areas in the Gosford LGA are still suffering.

"I'm particularly appealing to independent candidates and councillors to recognise the damage the alternative plans will do to our local economy.

"De-investment is a serious business in any project as it sends the wrong signal to the investment community.

"Gosford has had its fair share of this over the years, but if the rollout is scaled back the Peninsula will miss out again," said Mr Abrahams.

Media release, 28 Aug 2013

David Abrahams, Killcare