28/2/02
Western Australia's remote communities will benefit from a new range of transportable buildings containing the latest in telecommunications and computing technology.
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens said that an information campaign would start today to encourage interest in the fully-equipped facilities.
The transportable telecentres are known as modular interactive telecommunications environments (MITES).
"We have six of these units to place in small remote communities which lack a suitable building of their own from which to run a telecentre," Mr Stephens said.
"I was pleased to launch the first MITE, which has gone to the Nullagine community in the North-West.
"The transportable facilities operate exactly the same as WA's network of telecentres which already bring high-technology access to services to many country towns."
Mr Stephens said the Department of Local Government and Regional Development had begun advertising for interest in the transportable units and was also contacting potential host organisations and sponsors such as local governments.
The transportable telecentres, worth approximately $175,000 were designed, built and equipped in WA with funding from the Networking the Nation program.
Telecentres, totalling 93 State-wide, are community-managed facilities with Internet-enabled computers, digital camera, scanner, satellite TV and video, video-conferencing unit, fax, copier and printers. Many also offer over-the-counter
sub-agency services on behalf of the Government sector.
"This is a great opportunity to break down the barriers of isolation in WA's outback communities, mainly in the north and east," Mr Stephens said.
"Negotiations are currently under way for the community of Yandeyarra to have a MITE.
"The standard of communication services offered by remote telecentres has the potential to transform educational, business and recreational opportunities for people of all ages, especially for indigenous communities."
Minister's office: 9213 6500
