Queanbeyan Council is urging the State Government to restore funding for promised fibre connectivity. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Regional residents have been told it’s too expensive to upgrade internet network connectivity in the Southern Tablelands.
Wamboin, Bywong and Sutton had been slated to receive upgrades through the Regional Digital Connectivity program.
Under the program, residents were to have fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) installed through telecommunications provider Opticomm.
According to the NBN’s website, an FTTP connection sees a fibre optic line run from the nearest available fibre node, directly into the premises.
However, residents were told in December 2024 that the project’s scale would be reduced.
In a meeting earlier this year, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) decided to write to the NSW Government, calling on it to restore the funding.
In a subsequent letter dated March 2025, Mayor Kenrick Winchester called on the government to provide more information to residents.
He sought information on the “costs of the project, the reasons for de-scoping … and any alternative options under consideration to deliver on the intent of the original commitment”.
“This was the culmination of investigation and efforts by the local community into finding a solution to improving internet connectivity for this area,” the letter states.
At a recent meeting, councillors formally received a reply from Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty.
In her response, included in council documents, the NSW Government said the “final” decision to reduce the program was because of cost considerations.
“This outcome was not taken lightly. However, following a key subcontractor engaged under a fixed price unexpectedly entering administration, the project proponent, Opticomm, was unable to secure an alternative subcontractor able to complete the original works within the available budget.”
According to the letter, Opticomm had sought various market quotes, and the government had also carried out a broader assessment.
These efforts determined that the program’s initial scope was “financially unviable”, in part due to increasing construction costs, problems with contractor availability and risk management concerns.
Ms Moriarty also wrote that existing connectivity in the area was also considered.
“Independent analysis has confirmed that these areas are now comparatively better served than many other parts of rural and regional NSW, with a range of connectivity options currently available; options that were not in place when the project was originally conceived.”
During the meeting, Councillor Ross Macdonald said the explanation would likely be “cold comfort” for residents.
“I think this is something we ought to continue advocating for our communities on and will do so – hopefully soon,” he said.
According to an update on Opticomm’s website, the upgrades have been scrapped for Wamboin, Bywong, and parts of Sutton.
“Registered residents in these areas [of Sutton] will be contacted in early 2025 to arrange these works,” the update said.
“Opticomm and the NSW Government acknowledge the frustration caused by project delays and the decision to descope the project.”
Further information on the Regional Digital Connectivity program is available on the NSW Government’s website.
