CONSTRUCTION work for providing the national broadband network to 2600 homes at Springfield Lakes has begun.
For local residents and photographers Brendon and Sandra Moffatt, the news literally means the world.
The couple recently developed the international start-up company StandInBaby, and will soon sell their newborn photography training aid in 35 countries from their home office in Protea Lane.
“For us as an international business, having access to the NBN means we can communicate with our customers worldwide and reach new ones,” Mr Moffatt said.
“It means the world to us.”
He said he wished they had had the NBN earlier.
“We have been Skyping photographers and the connection will drop out completely, or we’ll only catch half of the conversation,” he said.
“Building a website with our ADSL 2+ connection took us six weeks when we could have knocked it over in a week with decent internet.”
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce president Ralph Breaden said business had waited a long time for action.
“Business has been suffering with the costs of using a mobile service or some other solution,” he said.
“There are still some gaps on the map, but this is a solid start, that gives the community some time frames.”
NBN corporate affairs manager for Queensland Kylie Lindsay said the construction phase would take about six months.
Not everyone is celebrating the rollout of the National Broadband Network in Springfield though.
For Springfield Lakes resident of seven years, Tim Hargreaves, the start of construction was like salt in a seven-year-old wound.
His Neptune St home was not included in the current NBN rollout zone.
“It’s not exciting news for me at all, because I miss it by about three streets,” Mr Hargreaves said.
“It’s an incredibly frustrating experience.
“I’d love to be excited about the NBN, but it’s the same old story for me.”
Construction will start in October to connect a further 6600 homes in streets across Augustine Heights, Brookwater, Camira and Springfield.
Visit www.nbnco.com.au for a map of the regional rollout zone.
Original article published at www.couriermail.com.au by Emma Schafer 04/8/16