Fiona Brown, Illawarra Forum Inc., Nowra, NSW
This paper presents the 'Networking the Shoalhaven' Project. The Shoalhaven region is on the South Coast of NSW and comprises of Nowra and 49 other rural townships. The project aims to provide public Internet access via community centres. Many local people do not have access to Information Technology, let alone 'fundamental' community resources. Access to some of these resources such as Centrelink, employment services, online education and banking, can be addressed through online technology.
The project is facilitated by the Illawarra Forum; the peak representative body for community services in the Illawarra and South Coast region of NSW. The Project is funded under the Federal 'Networking the Nation' Initiative. A Project Steering Committee comprising of community centre staff was formed and an IT consultant employed to undertake the project.
The project requires community centre liaison, infrastructure acquisition, service advertising, information technology training and support. Without training, assistance with public Internet access would be limited and the project aims defeated, thus the Illawarra Institute of Technology was approached to design and implement an appropriate course.
The project is progressing well, with completion due in July 2003. It is a small but significant step in addressing information technology access in the Shoalhaven Region. Challenges being met include: sustainable service provision beyond the project completion and public education of resources available online.
The Illawarra Forum has staff focusing on addressing information technology needs in local communities. This ongoing assistance and representation will ensure continued IT support, projects and strategic planning beyond this project.