Virtual reality

By Kath Gannaway
HODDLES Creek residents and businesses waiting on connection to ADSL broadband have found themselves left in the middle of a funding row over internet connection
They say the row between McEwen MP Fran Bailey and Telstra over who is to blame for the delay in delivering ADSL broadband is costing them time and money.
In the meantime Telstra and the Federal Government blame each other for the delay.
Ms Bailey last week called on the telco to activate the Hoddles Creek broadband exchange immediately.
“It is disappointing that on a commercial basis, Telstra have not enabled this exchange, despite the fact that there have been government programs available to assist with this since 2005,” Ms Bailey said.
Telstra, however, has told the Mail it is waiting for funding under the Department of Communications, Information and Technology’s Broadband Connect Program.
The department responded saying Telstra has the funding deed and has only to return it … “with all the boxes ticked”.
A number of Hoddles Creek businesses contacted by the Mail expressed their frustration at the long delay in connecting the service.
Hoddles Creek business operator Ray Turner said Hoddles Creek residents had doorknocked to get the numbers required to get the ADSL service in the area.
“We have been given numerous times by Telstra for when the service would be operational and each time the date came we would get another,” Mr Turner said.
“I spoke to Telstra before I got in touch with Fran again and was told everything was ready to go but required money from the Federal Government to activate it,” Mr Turner said.
Katherine Meier, a spokeswoman for the department said Telstra had not met the threshold requirements of the funding program in the past.
“Telstra could not commit to the minimum threshold service despite the fact Telstra resellers and satellite and wireless providers were able to offer the minimum standard of service.
“The funding deed is currently back with Telstra.
“It’s been signed off by the department and it’s now their prerogative,” she said.
However, Telstra spokeswoman Tamara Blackmore, said it is the government which is holding up the connection.
“It’s not viable for Telstra to provide (the service) to that area without the Broadband Connect funding and the government has put the closing date for funding back until 13 August,” Ms Blackmore told the Mail.
“We are ready to go as soon as we get the promised funding,” she said.
Meanwhile, businesses including Mr Turner’s home-based business, the Hoddles Creek Nurseries, The Big Berry and Hoddles Creek vineyard struggle with a service which is not only frustrating but is costing businesses time and money.