A $17.1 million program has been announced by the Federal Government to help local councils take full advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN) through the development and upgrade of innovative online service delivery to homes and businesses.

 

The Digital Local Government program forms a key component of the National Digital Economy Strategy unveiled last month, and builds on the $23.8m Digital Communities and $12.4m Digital Enterprise programs.

 

The funds will assist local government organisations in the 40 communities to first benefit from the National Broadband Network (NBN) with the three year program providing grants of up to $375 000 (excluding GST) to eligible local governments.

 

Grants will initially be available for the eight councils in the NBN first release sites in Tasmania and mainland Australia.

 

These are:

  • Moreland City Council (Victoria);
  • Townsville City Council (Queensland);
  • Kiama Municipal and Armidale Dumaresq Councils (New South Wales);
  • City of Onkaparinga (South Australia); and,
  • Circular Head, Dorset and Sorell Councils (Tasmania).

 

Local governments can apply individually but are encouraged to partner with private sector vendors and/or form partnerships with other eligible local governments.

For more information visit: www.dbcde.gov.au/digitallocalgov