A small town in northern Tasmania, hit hard by economic forces, has been brought back to life through a IT&T initiative which has salvaged local industry and bridged the digital divide.
Located in the north west of Tasmania, Burnie is home to around 19,500 people. Over the past 15 years, however, the industrial town has been hit hard by economic forces, with a total of 3000 jobs lost through downsizing, restructuring and closures.
The town harbours a major port and a regional airport.
The lack of employment opportunities in Burnie has seen a steady decline in population over the last 10 years.
Burnie City Councillor Lionel Young, speaking at the Atug CeBIT now2001 conference in Sydney, said as a result of the economic downturn, members of the community, especially young people, were drifting to major cities in search of work.
The council adopted a unique strategy in 1998 which created an private online network for the town's business community, which has attracted new IT&T companies to the area.
"The initiative has enabled all sectors of business to communicate and trade using the Internet at minimal costs for the community," Young said.
The project has been given AU$1.5 million worth in federal funding, as part of the government's Networking the Nation program.
Burnie's IT&T development program is being used as a pilot for regional and remote communities throughout Australia.
According to Young, significant upgrades to Burnie's infrastructure and capability, including higher bandwidth, has created major interest from private sector IT&T companies seeking joint venture.
Furthermore, the council is offering ISPs the opportunity to operate in Burnie.
"We're looking to achieve new and sustainable IT&T communities at Burnie with opportunity for regional, state and national expansion.
"We want to become a major information technology hub for Australia," he said.
The IT&T program will link other councils across Tasmania, opening communication and trade opportunities further. Young expects the council will be a provider of ASP bureau services to help councils in Australia get connected to a virtual community.
"Over the next three years, we'll be participating in the design and development work for a new 'e-council' for local government in Australia," he said.
"The project will help utilise Australia's rich and diverse supply of communities in remote areas," he said.
