A partnership between the City of Greater Geelong, Deakin University and Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet) is delivering high-speed internet to community, education, and research facilities on The Bellarine.
Crews have begun work to install 35 kilometres of fibre optic cable from Central Geelong to Drysdale and Queenscliff.
The first stage of the project from August to December will lay 11 kilometres of fibre along the Bellarine Rail Trail from Boundary Road in East Geelong to Portarlington Road in Curlewis.
The 12-month project will connect city facilities such as the newDrysdale Library, The Potato Shed and Drysdale Sports Precinct, to high-speed internet.
The fibre will also service Eduroam, a secure global roaming wireless network utilised by Deakin University staff and students.
The project paves the way for optical fibre to be installed to other coastal areas in the future, further supporting our smart city ambitions.
Local suppliers and materials will be prioritised throughout the project to make sure the benefits stay in our region.
The works will be delivered in a sensitive way to minimise disruption to the natural landscape and so that pedestrians and cyclists can continue enjoying the Rail Trail.
The fibre rollout comes after the City of Greater Geelong was recognised recently at the World Smart City Expo in the Republic of Korea, winning the International Smart City of the Year award alongside Barcelona City.
Mayor Peter Murrihy
The infrastructure delivered through this joint venture will benefit our region for many years to come.
We're collaborating with researchers, other levels of government, and the private sector to reach our smart city goals.
Deakin's flagship Marine Science Centre at Queenscliff will benefit from faster connectivity, helping researchers to share high volumes of data with other experts around the world.
Councillor Sarah Mansfield - Innovative Solutions Deputy Chair
Enhancing connectivity and data processing helps to create a smart, future-focussed city whilst stimulating economic opportunity and innovation.
This fibre provides backbone infrastructure to fast-track the rollout of other smart technologies which will help us to understand usage patterns along the Bellarine Rail Trail - a key part of our active transport network.
