The lack of speed and stability with current broadband connections, plus the cost of broadband products, compound the lack of innovation in small businesses.
These are among the issues raised in Penrith City Council’s Digital Economy Strategy, 2012-2024 after a comprehensive consultation process.
“To be leaders in the use of new technologies we need to assert control over our digital destiny,” said Mayor, Mark Davies.
The momentum of the NBN – a catalyst for the growth of the digital economy – will require education on the benefits and opportunities arising from the NBN not only for small businesses but also the growth of the city, for example, attracting investment and stimulating jobs growth.
The development of digital hubs and enterprise programs to assist in training on the digital economy and the use of such technologies is among the 38 recommendations listed in the strategy.
The strategy recommended the creation of a forum to allow businesses to support one another in the creation of digital strategies, innovation using digital technologies and the swapping of ideas.
The identification and appointment of local “change champions” to communicate the messages of council’s digital strategy, supporting projects and providing feedback from across the region is also a recommendation.
Another recommendation is a “showcase project” to strengthen the Digital Penrith brand by using the strengths of the city’s health and education sectors and the platform provided by the evolving Health and Education Precinct.
“There is consensus that the health and education sectors represent the key platform for economic growth and development in the region,” the strategy noted The aim of the precinct is to “become one of Australia’s premier destinations for health, education, medical research and related industry over the next 10 years”.
The precinct includes the rapidly growing public and private Nepean hospitals, the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and the University of Sydney’s – Sydney Medical School Nepean, and the Kingswood campus of TAFE – Western Sydney Institute.
Teleworking is seen as a major opportunity for the Penrith region to overcome the disadvantages of commuting and the strategy calls for the exploration of private-sector interest.in, and funding of, such facilities on a commercial basis.
The strategy’s 38 recommendations are considered under four headings: knowledge and skills development; resources and infrastructure; investment, revenue and efficiencies; and governance and administration. `
