Seacrest leads the way in home technology

25/7/00
People and families who live in one of the State's newest residential developments will have a world of information at their fingertips, thanks to state-of-the-art technology which is being delivered into their homes.
In Geraldton today, Premier Richard Court visited the Seacrest Estate which is leading Western Australia, and possibly Australia, in the installation of technology in new homes.
The Seacrest development is a joint venture between Landstart, the land development arm of the State Government, and private developers.
"Residents, schools and businesses in Seacrest will all have access to a high-speed Internet service 24 hours a day, as well as four free-to-air television channels and at least six pay television channels," Mr Court said.
"People who buy one of the 1,400 blocks of land will also receive a computer package up to the value of $2,000.
"Importantly, this complete technology system will be 'modem-less', which means access will be up to 100 times faster than what can be achieved in any normal cable modem system."
Mr Court said Seacrest would be a model of a community of the future.
"Delivering technology into the homes of Western Australians is part of the State Government's plan to bring all households online, regardless of where they live around the State, or financial circumstances of families, and we aim to do this within five years," he said.
"This development at Seacrest is by far the most advanced in the State. There is a similar development in Ellenbrook, and others are planned for the new Perth suburbs of Brighton and Clarkson, and Dalyellup near Bunbury."
Mr Court said each house would be connected to a cable distribution system which would be the most advanced of its type installed in an Australian residential estate.
"Each property will become part of what's called a 'local area network' which means neighbours will be able to share common printers or other network facilities, or even run a suburb-based security system," he said.
"Basically, whatever can be achieved in a large city office network, will be able to be duplicated at Seacrest."

Media contacts:
Justine Whittome, Premier's office, 9222 9475
Janet Wainwright, Ministry of Housing, 9222 4500