It’s renowned for being Sydney’s ‘second city’ but some businesses in Parramatta’s CBD will be without any NBN connection until 2022.
NBN Co is investing $700 million in a multi-faceted package over the next three years, which includes the rollout of ‘Business Fibre Zones’.
Businesses within these zones will have access, by 2023, to fibre NBN with broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps at reduced wholesale prices.
Parramatta CBD is among the 130 zones that have been announced as part of Tranche 1, however, no other Greater Western Sydney suburbs were included in this round.
Despite this, many Parramatta CBD businesses will remain without NBN for years.
Federal Parramatta MP Julie Owens has dubbed this the ‘digital divide’ and said just because Parramatta is the second city, does not mean it should be second rate.
“Fast, reliable NBN is basic infrastructure that western Sydney businesses need to grow and create new jobs and attract new businesses,” she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen more people working remotely than ever before. Ms Owens said the reliance on Internet services during this time has only highlighted the importance of fast-tracked NBN delivery.
Last week NBN Co released the full list of the 240 fibre zones, which did include some Greater Sydney regions such as Penrith and Blacktown.
A spokesperson from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications said it is committed to providing fast and reliable broadband to Parramatta and surrounds but has come across some challenges, which have slowed down its delivery timeline.
“In late 2018 the Parramatta Service Area Module (SAM) designs were paused as a result of the NSW Government’s Parramatta Light Rail Project,” the spokesperson said.
“NBN Co’s designs had to undergo a substantial amount of redesign in consultation with NSW Government.
“There is also an important indigenous heritage consideration that relates to land that sits within two Service Area Modules (SAMs) in Parramatta.
“NBN Co respect this process and are taking the necessary time to adopt the correct culturally-sensitive approach to the design and construction of NBN infrastructure in the Parramatta LGA.”
The Parramatta Business Fibre Zone will be one of 14 Health precincts NBN Co will establish, servicing Westmead as one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts.
Construction is anticipated for 2021, with connection to be ready between the end of 2021 to the first half of 2022.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.