Residents of Murrumbateman will be able to take advantage of the Regional Tech Hub (the Hub) when it visits Murrumbateman Field Days on 15-16 October.
The Hub is part of the Australian Government's $220 million Stronger Regional Digital Connectivity Package, helping regional, rural and remote Australians navigate often confusing phone and internet connectivity options, and related technical issues. The Hub offers primary web, chat, email and phone contact options to provide one-on-one technical support in addition to pop-up services at community events.
The 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review found that regional consumers faced a number of unique barriers to digital access, including a complex web of connectivity options and insufficient knowledge of how to use different technologies and trouble-shoot issues. The Hub aims to provide independent and factual information on digital choice for people in regional areas.
Residents from Murrumbateman and surrounds will be able to talk one-on-one with a member of the Hub team about issues impacting them.The Hub is being delivered by the National Farmers' Federation in collaboration with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network.
Local residents unable to attend the event can use the Regional Tech Hub's resources at regionaltechhub.org.au, or access help via thephone call-back service on 1300 081 029.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The Regional Tech Hub is an initiative supported by the Albanese Government helping people in regional, rural, and remote Australia navigate various digital technologies. I encourage residents of Murrumbateman to take advantage of this visit and get one-on-one technology advice if you're experiencing connectivity issues.
"For those who live and work in areas outside of our major cities and towns, accessing and troubleshooting phone and internet connectivity can be more complex for a range of reasons. The Hub helps people work through these challenges and ensure communities can realise the benefits of an increasingly digital society."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, and the Member for Eden-Monaro:
"A key part of making sure our community reaches its full potential is getting and staying connected to reliable telecommunications services. Many people in our regional towns like Yass, Murrumbateman and surrounding areas understand the barriers to digital access, and it's welcome our Government is working hard to provide support for Eden-Monaro communities to trouble-shoot individual problems.
"The Regional Tech Hub will be at Murrumbateman Field Days on 15-16 October. This is a great opportunity to get telecommunications advice, but if you can't get there, make sure you visit the website or contact the team on the hotline or through the live chat."
Background
The hotline (1300 081 029) is available (AEST):
Mon: 12pm - 5pm
Tue: 12pm - 5pm
Wed: 9am - 2pm
Thu: 9am - 2pm
Fri: 9am - 2pm
There is an option to leave a message for one of the team to call back outside of these hours.
