Media Release

NBN rolling out to second release sites

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced that NBN Co will this month commence progressive construction in nine NBN second release sites.

Senator Conroy said NBN Co’s network will be rolled out in a series of modules which cover more than 50,000 premises.

The construction includes new sites in Springfield Lakes, Toowoomba and Aspley in the Brisbane metropolitan area in Queensland; Riverstone in Western Sydney, Coffs Harbour, NSW and Gungahlin, ACT. It will also include extensions to existing works in Armidale, Kiama in NSW as well as Townsville in Queensland. (See schedule below)

"This is exciting news and is further evidence the NBN is well and truly a reality that is rolling out quickly across Australia," Senator Conroy said.

"These nine sites represent more than 50,000 premises that will be connected with fibre optic cable that will deliver high speed broadband to every home, business and institution that wants it."

Senator Conroy said the Definitive Agreements signed between Telstra and NBN Co and the recently announced agreement between NBN Co and Silcar Pty Ltd have paved the way for NBN Co to prepare for the next round of construction on the Australian mainland.

"Already communities in first release sites of Armidale and Minnamurra/Kiama Downs have been connected to the NBN. Soon the communities of Brunswick, Townsville and Willunga will also be connected," he said.

"The announcement of these new sites demonstrates that momentum is building as the network is rolled out to every home, business, school and hospital in Australia."

It is estimated that the average time from the start of on-site works in the second release sites to the activation of first services will be around 12 months. NBN Co is continuing negotiations with construction companies to progress the rollout in the 10 remaining second release sites.

Rollout schedule

Date: 3 August 2011
Contact: Lyall Johnson 0408 258 457