By My Sunshine Coast
November 9, 2017

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson has welcomed the Queensland Labor Party's pre-election commitment of a $15 million grant towards the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Submarine Cable Project – one of the six infrastructure priorities identified by Sunshine Coast Council for our region ahead of the November 25 State election.

Mayor Jamieson, who met with Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch in Caloundra today, said the proposed cable project had the potential to transform the Sunshine Coast and broader Queensland economy.

A recently completed feasibility study estimated the proposed submarine cable and associated facilities would create 864 full-time jobs per annum on the Sunshine Coast and provide a potential economic boost of $927 million to Queensland.

“We are delighted that if re-elected, the Queensland Labor Government has committed to provide this financial support to a project that is not only a game-changer for our Sunshine Coast, but the entire State,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“Most people don't realise how dependent they are on submarine cables – these cables carry 99% of Australia's international voice and data traffic.

“The volume of international communications through submarine cables is increasing at the rate of 40% every year as the information economy grows.

“As such, submarine cables are a vital part of the national infrastructure.

“With all submarine cables on the east coast of Australia landing in Sydney, every time a Queenslander makes an International telephone call, text or accesses the internet it travels via terrestrial networks to Sydney before heading to its international destination.

“We will continue to advocate for a similar commitment from the LNP and other political parties ahead of the election date.

“This cable will stimulate local business, generate new investment and improve telecommunications diversity to Australia's east coast as well as adding significant value to the new Maroochydore City Centre – Australia's only greenfield CBD at this time – now under construction.

“The attraction of technology businesses in particular will deliver access to a greater array of solutions for local businesses and residents.”

Read more…

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!