Southern Cross University is joining forces with councils from Taree to the Queensland border to push for the region to become a high priority area in the rollout of the National Broadband Network.

Peter Croll, Professor of Information Technology and Information Systems, met with Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin and the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and The Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy in Grafton recently to discuss the opportunities for this region.

Professor Croll outlined Project Direct, which aims to create resilient and connected communities through highly usable digital technology. It will tap into the $43 billion National Broadband Network, announced by the Federal Government earlier this year.

Professor Croll has been working in collaboration with Coffs Harbour City Council¿s economic development unit and other councils in the local government areas from Greater Taree to the Tweed.

¿The coastal strip of northern NSW is increasingly recognised as a prime ¿seachange¿ area. It has a population of 541,320, and is projected to continue to grow faster than the state average,¿ Professor Croll said.

¿As the modern workforce continues to evolve and globalise, more companies are evaluating a telecommuting strategy to save costs and lower carbon emissions, as well as to retain top talent. A resilient, robust and sound telecommuting strategy in this region would greatly benefit both employees and employers.¿

Professor Croll said initial projects, using the broadband capacity, would focus on the key areas of emergency and disaster response, health care and education.

¿Our goal is to provide an integrated framework for specific projects that can exploit digital broadband applications in health, education, regional business and emergency services," he said.

¿This will include technology for home-based health diagnostics; remote equipment for environmental monitoring and essential services; foolproof video conferencing; and networks that are resilient to natural disasters.¿

The first stage of the project is a website to provide information about the rollout of the National Broadband Network and gather information on the potential for the network in this region. The site can be found at infotech.scu.edu.au/nbn/

Southern Cross University is also planning a broadband hub, as part of a new $10 million building at the Coffs Harbour campus, which will provide state-of-the-art research and demonstration facilities.

Photo: Meeting in Grafton recently were, from left, Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin MP, Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and The Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Southern Cross University Professor of Information Technology, Professor Peter Croll.

Updated: 11 November 2009