Tasmania hurls $12.7m at NBN projects

The Tasmanian Government has allocated $14.7 million to NBN initiatives in its state budget, including establishment of an advisory group to find more opportunities for investment.

In handing down the state budget yesterday, Premier David Bartlett made a $12.7 million equity contribution to Aurora Energy "for the future operation of their fibre optic network".

The Federal Government announced in April that the NBN rollout will start in Tasmania with some 200,000 Tasmanian homes and businesses connected via Aurora Energy's fibre network.

Remaining Tasmanian residents will be served by higher-speed wireless services.

Bartlett also allocated $1 million for legal and advisory support to assist with the establishment of the NBN.

He also gave the Tasmanian Electronic Commerce Centre (TECC) $1 million in funding over three years.

"The TECC was a key to the success of the TasCOLT Fibre-to-the-Home pilot project, upon which Tasmania's successful NBN proposal was based," Bartlett said.

Bartlett also announced the creation of a digital futures advisory committee to identify additional business opportunities around the NBN.

The committee, to be coordinated by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts, is tasked to identify and capture development, employment and investment opportunities "that are likely to arise over the next 12 months".

Bartlett said it would represent a collaborative approach between Government agencies, industry bodies and key stakeholders to ensure maximum Tasmanian employment and industry participation throughout the project.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars is expected to be spent on construction," he said.

"There will also be opportunities to attract additional investment in support infrastructure, specialised training facilities, dedicated research and development teams and a host of national and international suppliers looking to prepare for the national roll-out.