An impressive line-up of speakers left those who attended yesterday’s #IllawarraDigital 2013 expo in no doubt about the opportunities being created by the arrival of the National Broadband Network in the region.
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The point was driven home by Freelancer.com chief executive Matt Barrie who drew on his own experience to say he saw no reason why more startups would not flourish in the Illawarra and remain in Wollongong while running a global business.
He said there was a lot more help now than when he started out in 2008 and Wollongong had a fantastic university supporting the sector.
Freelancer.com is the world’s largest crowdsourcing and freelance marketplace connecting more than eight million professionals. Yesterday’s event was co-hosted by RDA Illawarra, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama councils, NBN Co and the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
Minister for Regional Communications Sharon Bird said it was her first official Regional Development Australia function as the minister responsible for that portfolio.
‘‘And I am really thrilled it is in my home town,’’ she said.
Ms Bird thanked outgoing NBN chief executive Mike Quigley for his public service and said taking opportunities early in the roll-out was critical to driving this region’s economy.
The NBN would build opportunities for new businesses as well as existing ones, build jobs and support traditional industries, she said.
The NBN would also result in structural change and help futureproof towns and cities.
Ms Bird announced a grant for Wollongong City Council to be able to broadcast over the NBN and said the take-up rate of people buying product across the NBN fibre service area in Kiama was now at 68 per cent - equal to the highest in Australia.
Ms Bird also announced a $285,000 grant under the Digital Enterprise program to deliver training to help local businesses and not-for-profit organisations compete globally and create jobs.
Mr Quigley said NBN installations in the Kiama area had now passed 6000 homes.
‘‘I am convinced this will be the platform giving our kids the opportunity for interesting careers.’’
RDA Illawarra chairman Eddy de Gabriele said a unified approach in the region had helped secure the training grant which would provide one-on-one training to 190 businesses.