More South Australian businesses and start-ups will have access to ultra-fast gigabit digital connectivity, with two innovation districts joining the GigCity Adelaide fibre network.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni will announce the Unley Civic Centre will join the network at a function this afternoon, which follows the Healthy Living Precinct in Welland joining last week.
Unley Civic Centre is under refurbishment and expected to attract up 35 businesses once completed and the Healthy Living Precinct in Welland currently houses more than 11 startups and health care providers.
"The Marshall Liberal Government is investing more than $194,000 over 3 years to connect Welland and Unley to the growing GigCity Adelaide network," said Minister Pisoni.
"The two new sites will join the other 23 GigCity innovation precincts, which are already providing access to 390 businesses with affordable high-speed internet connectivity at market-leading prices.
"Affordable access to ultra-fast internet is reducing entry barriers, creating new market opportunities and enabling young entrepreneurs and cultural creatives to thrive.
"Through the Hi-Tech Sector Plan 2030 and our infrastructure investment in the GigCity network, we are laying the foundation for South Australia to be a leading hi-tech centre with a highly connected ecosystem of businesses, researchers and investors.
"Connecting more businesses and entrepreneurs to the GigCity network presents unparallel opportunities for them to strengthen their capability and connectivity and support the adoption of new technologies as we lead the way to a new economy shaped by innovation and opportunity.
"Bringing the GigCity Adelaide network to Welland and Unley will attract more entrepreneurs and businesses to these growing metropolitan innovation hubs to take advantage of the unique service.
Healthy Living Precinct Managing Director Nick Tsamaidis said Healthy Living Precinct was a unique startup hub for social enterprise, wellbeing and primary care, with a collaborative space servicing disability, aged care and the local community.
"It brings together for the first time, citizens, health and wellness practitioners, lifestyle providers and social enterprises under one roof," Mr Tsamaidis said.
"Access to fast, affordable and reliable gigabit internet ensures our startups and practitioners on site can deliver new products and services for consumers, better models of care and new market opportunities to turbo charge health and wellbeing innovation in SA."
City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans said, "The GigCity connection for the Welland Healthy Living Precinct will play a vital part in activating the area and creates a connection with other GigCity health precincts, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital precinct.
"We are a City focused on supporting our local businesses and economic growth in our area and this will lead to further collaboration between businesses, foster growth and will enhance the capabilities of the precinct in supporting local health and ageing well programs and projects with a digital focus for our community," Mayor Evans said.
City of Unley CEO Peter Tsokas said, "We are thrilled to join the South Australian GigCity Network. By becoming a GigCity that provides high-speed internet services and interconnection with other innovation precincts, we are building infrastructure to support local business growth and entrepreneurship.
"The first phase of our rollout is connecting the Edmund Avenue Cottages Co-working and Business Innovation Hub to the broader innovation network. This rollout, made possible with a State Government funding contribution, will be an important step toward our community benefiting from the development and attraction of new types of high-tech businesses," Mr Tsokas said.
The GigCity Adelaide network is being implemented by and delivered over the South Australian Broadband Research and Education Network (SABRENet) fibre optic network using Adelaide-based Internet Service Provider, EscapeNet.
In addition, the GigCity service is also being deployed to eligible businesses in Mt Gambier and Whyalla at comparable rates.
The additional GigCity precincts were selected as part of a competitive Expression of Interest process, which opened in March 2021 to metropolitan councils.
For more information, visit gigcity.com.au.
