Our aim is to work in collaboration with local government to deliver the benefits of broadband to residents and businesses with minimum disruption to the community.
We are committed to working collaboratively with local government on the design and deployment of the nbn® broadband access network. Working together, we want to ensure we deliver a lasting, positive legacy for the local community. To achieve this, local government has a critical role to play as they are best placed to ensure nbn are aware of any potential local issues or requirements that need to be taken into consideration through planning, construction and mobilisation of the nbn access network. Local government can also add valuable, specialist resources and channels to engage and educate local residents and businesses.
nbn has established a dedicated team who are tasked with engaging with communities, and developing the crucial partnerships with local, national and state governments. The nbn local team work to ensure key stakeholders within local government and other regulatory authorities are kept well informed throughout the rollout of the nbn access network.
Communities in the rollout
The interactive map is the most up-to-date source of information about the nbn broadband access network.
Working with local government
Planning and design
During the planning and design phase, nbn will consult with local government on the design of the nbn broadband access network to help optimise and reduce any issues prior to the rollout. nbn will work with councils at the earliest opportunity to help ensure that local residents and businesses within the community are informed and prepared for the rollout of the nbn access network.
A member of the nbn local team will be assigned to each council and is responsible for conducting the initial design briefing sessions with all the appropriate council stakeholders. In the initial engagement period, nbn will request the council to provide a wide range of local information to ensure that the rollout plans run as smoothly as possible.
Working together on community engagement
nbn will work closely with councils in developing community engagement plans and media events to understand and utilise local knowledge and channels such as; associations, businesses, and community groups. To that extent able, nbn will discuss any potential legacy issues from previous infrastructure projects and other advice that council may provide to assist with a smooth rollout. nbn may jointly prepare or discuss media releases and other communication activity to help ensure the best cut-through of the rollout messages.
Construction
Construction of the nbn access network involves installation work to connect the individual homes, Multi Dwelling Units (MDUs), government buildings and businesses. Some of the nbn access network is constructed by delivery partners and their subcontractors under contract with nbn, while other elements of the rollout are directly managed by nbn. nbn plans to introduce introduce contractors to local government stakeholders to help minimise obstacles in the construction rollout, and establish ongoing meetings with appropriate local government staff to obtain first-hand feedback on any issues.
Activating the network
Once construction is completed and the nbn access network is live, eligible residents and business owners will be able to order their phone and internet services through their preferred provider. nbn aims to work closely with local government to help inform and transition residents and businesses over to the nbn access network as quickly as possible*.
In areas where nbn® Fibre is installed, nbn will replace most existing landline phones, ADSL internet and Telstra cable internet networks. Most existing copper networks will be permanently disconnected – generally around 18 months after the nbn access network becomes available in your local area*. nbn currently understands that premises in nbn® Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster® satellite areas will retain their copper phone lines (i.e. Telstra does not currently plan on disconnecting the legacy copper network in those areas)*.
Local government planning checklist
The following checklist provides a guide for local councils as to the information nbn and its contractors or agents may need to assist in the nbn access network planning process.
- Zoning and overlay maps in a GIS format are preferred.
- Location of environmentally significant or heritage areas that may not be in the zoning and overlay maps, e.g. conservation/protected areas, national parks/nature reserves, wetlands, bushland, and significant street trees.
- Any specific local planning controls or restrictions, policies or codes that may apply specifically to phone or internet facilities.
- Confirmation of any local exemptions, restrictions or prohibitions for phone or internet facilities.
- Development application requirements (if necessary), including likely timeframes, processes, etc.
- Location of Commonwealth land, education, health or government facilities.
- Location of major development proposals and areas (e.g. greenfield sites), major infrastructure locations or areas that require major upgrades to infrastructure.
- Information on whether there is any opportunity for co-development and co-investment with works being performed by nbn.
- Address details for property owners to inform them of the proposed installation of nbn® equipment to their land/property, including tenanted properties.
- Location of any council-owned ducts that nbn may be able to share.
- Access to suitable council infrastructure or locations for the nbn Fixed Wireless program.
- Awareness of previous phone or internet infrastructure rollout legacy issues or locations.
Councils may also be interested to work with nbn and its contractors or agents to enter agreements to rent facilities that could be used during the rollout such as; depots, warehouses, temporary site offices, shopfronts, information offices, etc. In this case, councils may provide some indication of properties that might be useful for these purposes.
Co-development program
There may be some alignment between the nbn rollout and other construction projects across the country. nbn is interested in identifying projects that present opportunities for joint deployment of pits and conduits with other construction projects. This may achieve shared efficiencies while minimising the impact and cost for the community.