State Government funds tech upgrades to Bunbury library

27/2/08
The State Government will help the City of Bunbury's new $9million library become a state-of-the-art centre of digital innovation by providing $520,000 for upgrades.
The funding, along with contributions from the city, will help provide the library's data area with infrastructure to support cutting edge computer activities and is in addition to $2million previously provided by the State.
South-West Minister Mark McGowan said the constantly changing technology industry had necessitated further improvements to the library's data centre to bring it up to date.
"The City of Bunbury's new library will be a high-tech facility that will not only provide traditional library services, but have the potential to house technology industry activities," Mr McGowan said.
"The State Government's funding of this infrastructure will ensure Bunbury is well-placed to attract leaders in the tech industry to the facility, which will be housed in the lower part of the library.
"The advantages include new employment opportunities plus creating links into the growing digital industry. These links could create new education and training possibilities for local people.
"It's an exciting development and gives Bunbury the potential to provide world-class digital services, including the possibility of providing computer generated image effects for movies."
The new library is expected to be completed by November.
The city has already received expressions of interest from companies within the digital industry.
The Minister said the funding would be provided through the South West Development Commission and would cover upgrades to the data centre's air conditioning, power supply and an upgraded transformer.
"These are not optional changes - they are necessary to support the latest technology," he said.
Minister's office - 9222 9111