"if they can't get in touch with the grandkids each day or jump on the internet and research the next place they're going, they're simply not going to go to that place," Mr Maguire said."
What a load of Crap
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Birdsville Races risk extinction
February 2, 2007 - 11:04AM
Failure to install broadband in remote Australia could signal the demise of iconic events like the
Birdsville Races, an event organiser has warned.
Ray Maguire, an event producer based on the
Gold Coast, said his industry experience was that people were becoming less likely to visit a destination if they were unable to easily access the outside world while they were there.
"I have spoken to people at events like the Gympie Muster and
Tamworth (Country Music Festival) and if they can't get in touch with the grandkids each day or jump on the internet and research the next place they're going, they're simply not going to go to that place," Mr Maguire said.
"It's also important for sponsors of events to be able to stream coverage to the outside world.
"
Birdsville needs broadband, or events like the races could be finished."
Mr Maguire addressed the
Birdsville community during a visit by Telstra executives to the remote south-western corner of Queensland.
The executives discussed the telecommunications needs of residents during a two-day trip that also took them to
Bedourie, which is still hemmed in by recent floodwaters, and
Hebel on the NSW-Queensland border.
Telstra is currently pushing the federal government for $600 million in funding available under the Broadband Connect program to extend
infrastructure that would deliver high-speed fixed ADSL internet access to remote communities.
"Telstra's broadband proposal is the largest geographical fixed broadband development in Australian history that would expand broadband to about 95 per cent of the
population," Telstra public policy managing director Phil Burgess said.
Telstra Countrywide executive director Don Pinel said the proposition would end the "digital divide" for many communities.
"If our bid is successful more than 350km of optical fibre will be installed between the townships of
Boulia and
Birdsville at a cost of more than $7 million to provide the necessary
infrastructure to provide fixed broadband
services to the town," he said.
"One of the biggest benefits of our proposal would be the ability to provide secure and affordable video conferencing so that many more people living in remote areas like
Birdsville could have access to the best health and education
services available."
Residents in
Birdsville and
Bedourie have pledged their support for the proposal and federal MP for Maranoa Bruce Scott has promised to take letters and petitions from the communities to
Canberra when parliament resumes