ICT and regional development in Hervey Bay

Abstract

[Abstract]: Traditionally regional Australia has lagged behind urban regions from the point of view of the provision of infrastructure to facilitate communicatio n and information technology. This has generally meant the transformation to the ‘new economy’ has been much slower as evidenced by a dearth of businesses embracing these concepts and so ‘missing out’ on the benefits and opportunities it affords. This however needs to be tested and this paper explores this assertion. This paper seeks to outline the development within the Hervey Bay region in terms of the provision of information technology infrastructure which has in recent times spawned the development of community based information technology (IT) driven organisations. A number of initiatives have emerged within this region promoting the acceptance of a ‘knowledge-based future’; the initiative of Bay Connect, a community based Internet development and training project; the Fraser Innovation Zone (FIZ); and the Fraser Area Centre for Technology and Open Resource Education Enterprise (FACTOREE). This paper will overview these bodies, their genesis, and will explore the impact they have had on the community at large.This paper serves to document the state of play regarding the provision of Internet and broadband infrastructures within the Hervey Bay region, identify initiatives that have been adopted to encourage its uptake, as well as explore their impact on the community.