Seven councils in Central Western Queensland have banded together to create Australia’s largest free wi-fi for travellers – the Outback Telegraph.
The project’s pioneer, Winton Shire Council’s Technical Officer Charles Dyer, said the Outback Telegraph was in response to growing demand from visitors.
"People want to be able to get online, find restaurants, find their way around and use maps. That's where things started," Mr Dyer said.
Chief Executive of Winton Shire Council Alan Rayment said the service would be rolled out across seven council areas.
"It's all part of being more economically sustainable and improving the tourism industry," he said.
The first stage of the Outback Telegraph was switched on by Winton Shire Council in June. The next stage of the project, which is a collaboration between councils and the remote area planning and development board (RAPAD), will see the regional wi-fi network extended to Longreach, Barcaldine and Windorah.
Winton Mayor Cr Butch Lenton acknowledged the pulling power of public Wi-Fi.
“It will be a magnet to people with mobile devices who are a long way from their family and friends and travelling around the countryside,” he said.
“Connectivity is essential to running businesses in rural Queensland, and for travellers, and I’m proud our council is pioneering a terrific project that is crossing new boundaries.”
The Palaszczuk Government contributed $15,000 to the pilot along with funding from Winton Shire Council. RAPAD will fund the extension of the Outback Telegraph smart tourism platform to all key centres in the region, reaching some of the most remote communities in the state.
As part of the free wi-fi network, data can be collected about the people logging into the service.
The project is part of the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) Smart Central Western Queensland: A Digitally Enabled Community Strategic Plan.