Keeping communities connected in remote south-west Queensland

Service Stream are excited to be delivering two key projects for nbn® Australia in Quilpie and Cunnamulla, both in remote south-west Queensland. These projects are supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Connectivity Program, as well as from the State of Queensland, nbn™ and local Councils. The projects deliver enhancements to the nbn™ network helping to connect people to each other and providing access to the crucial tools and services that support everyday needs in a fast-changing digital world.

In Cunnamulla (Kunja Country) the project will see nbn™ access technology change from the nbn™ Sky Muster™ service to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). Cunnamulla is the main setting for Henry Lawson's short story, The Hypnotised Township, and was popularised in the Slim Dusty song, The Cunnamulla Fella.

A key aspect of creating a successful program is to positively engage with the local community to gain their support and engagement. Service Stream Project Manager, Brooke Mather, Community Engagement Manager, Rev A. and National First Peoples Advisor, Janelle McQueen worked closely with the Paroo Shire Council to arrange a Welcome to Country ceremony. The event was well attended by the local comnnmunity who enjoyed the ceremony and the accompanying barbeque.

The successful event has further enhanced the strong links between Service Stream and the local community. “We were proud to win the RCP works and are pleased that the network construction program of works is on track, and more importantly, the expression of interest for home connections is ahead of expectations. We believe that genuinely engaging with the local community is helping to achieve these great results,” says Sean Bryan, GM Networks Infrastructure for Service Stream.