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Page Last Updated:
Thursday, 5 November 2009 |
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Home>Cr Greco Wins Mav Study Award On Wifi
| MEDIA RELEASE, 4 November 2009
Darebin Council is pleased to congratulate Cr Gaetano Greco on his success in winning the 2009 McArthur Management Services Local Government Fellowship Award for his proposal to provide municipal-wide wireless internet access.
“I’d like to congratulate Cr Greco on behalf of Darebin City Council, on his success in securing this award. I have no doubt it will greatly assist us in developing this project” said Darebin’s Acting Mayor, Cr Tim Laurence.
“This study project aims to place the Darebin community at the leading edge of online and digital access in Australia.”
“For us it is very important that we find a successful model, given that we have over 40% of residents with no internet connection. An affordable or free wireless (WiFi) network would also encourage online businesses and ‘web savvy’ individuals to make Darebin their home,” Cr Laurence said.
“Innovation like this, combined with the community support a project like this will bring, keeps Darebin up there with the leading Victorian Councils,” Cr Laurence said.
“This issue has been recognised as one that is significant – and one that impacts on the whole Local Government sector. Cr Greco was awarded this study award as the LG sector views better and cheaper internet connections as vital infrastructure.”
“In this regard his findings can help the whole Local Government sector. However, in his acceptance speech, Cr Greco highlighted the fact that over 40% of our residents do not have an internet connection.”
“So it is even more important that an area like Darebin, with large pockets of socio-economic disadvantage, that we develop free or affordable wifi systems to reduce the 'digital divide' in our community.”
“The possible development of a local and affordable city-wide wifi system is a very worthwhile area to explore and investigate because it would empower many Darebin residents such as students, job seekers, pensioners and migrants.”
The $10,000 international study grant will be used by Cr Greco to investigate models used by other cities around the world to create free or cheap wireless Internet networks for their residents.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Communications & Public Affairs
Ph: (03) 8470 8511
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