What we delivered in Bluff, Duaringa and Dingo
In April 2021, QCN was awarded $3.75 million in funding under Round 1 of the Australian Government’s Regional Connectivity Program for telecommunications infrastructure solutions in Bluff, Duaringa, and Dingo in the Central Highlands of Queensland aimed at bridging the digital divide between regional and urban communities.
QCN sought the funding with the full support of the Central Highlands Regional Council.
What does that mean for these towns?
RCP1 has enabled QCN and our local partners to deliver vastly improved internet speeds to remote communities in Bluff, Duaringa and Dingo with the installation of aerial and underground Fibre Optic cable, as well as Monopole Free Standing Towers in regional Queensland.
Providing regional communities with reliable internet access is integral in promoting business development and improving efficiency across activities such as:
- Internet and online learning.
- Ability to connect all students, at once, from the classroom.
- Ability to have telehealth appointments with specialists from other towns and cities.
- Ability to start up your own online businesses and connect with others from all around the world.
- Ability to connect to streaming entertainment services.
Breaking the Digital Divide
Through this project, 523 households* can now connect to metro-grade internet services, enabling more than 800 residents* to access faster, cheaper and more reliable internet.
Up to
(min 25x faster)
Up to
*2021 Australian Census, ABS
When was this work finished?
In March 2022, our partners finished laying fibre in both Bluff and Dingo and we were working with local Queensland businesses, Dantel Communications in Bluff and Channel Wireless and Haytel in Dingo.
In April 2022, aerial fibre stringing (along power lines) had been completed in Duaringa.
In October 2022, tower builds were completed in Bluff and Duaringa, as well as the installation of telecommunications equipment on the silos in Dingo.
As of November 2022, residents and businesses in the townships of Bluff, Duaringa and Dingo have been able to access high-speed internet through our regional telecommunications partner Channel Wireless.
Want to get connected? Contact Channel Wireless.
What are the tower builds in Bluff and Duaringa?
To connect to QCN’s network, we worked with Channel Wireless to build the ‘last mile’ connection to homes, community facilities and businesses in these towns.
This required the construction of standard-sized monopole towers in Bluff and Duaringa to provide wireless access. In Dingo, an existing 35m water tower silo was used to host wireless access equipment.
QCN and Principal Contractor Channel Wireless submitted a Development Application which was approved for the tower build in Bluff.
All equipment used is compliant with Australian safety standards and codes and is the same kind of infrastructure and equipment that is used all over Queensland.
SUCCESS STORIES.
Greg Thurech – CQ Sawmilling, Dingo
CQ Sawmilling’s Greg Thurecht noted that, aside from Telstra’s limited data solutions, there was an “…absolute lack of any other genuine connectivity options in the area” prior to the installation of QCN/Channel Wireless’ new infrastructure.
Local service speed was well below that required to operate a modern business, with average services in the area receiving around 10Mbps download and 2Mbps upload speeds.
Through the implementation of Channel Wireless’ technology and QCN’s fibre solution, CQ Sawmilling now have real download speeds of 250Mbps and up to 1Gbps services available – over 20 times as fast as previously measured and better than many services in Australian cities.
“The QCN/Channel Wireless internet service has enabled us to operate the business in the way that we need to with online capability and functionality” Mr Thurecht said.
Anne Capewell – Owner of the Dingo General Store and the Dingo Australia Post branch.
‘Even with the post office – the internet is satellite and just takes so long to open,’ she said.
Anne started her homewares business, rustyboltss.com in 2017, naming it in honour of her late son Dan. Anne now donates 10% of the sales of her Rustyboltss2.0 Signature Range to Beyond Blue.
‘With proper internet access, I would be able to upload more posts and get more interactive,’ Anne said.
‘At the moment, I get halfway through something and then the internet cuts out and I have to start again. I will be having broadband here and at home so I can keep building the business.’
Michael – Farmer from Duaringa
Michael from Duaringa unlocked the ability to use internet banking and access online entertainment following new infrastructure development by QCN and Channel Wireless.
Prior to the installation of fixed wireless coverage in Duaringa, Michael described having to stand outside in order to receive enough signal to complete his online banking. Up until he got his new internet service enabled by the RCP grant, he had never even heard of such things as Netflix or YouTube!
Deliverables
|
Town |
Bluff |
Duaringa |
Dingo |
|
Asset |
30m monopole fixed wireless tower |
30m monopole fixed wireless tower |
35m existing water tower silo |
|
Completion Date |
28/11/2022 |
28/11/2022 |
28/11/2022 |
|
Site Backhaul Type |
Fibre |
Fibre |
Fibre |
|
Tower height (m) |
30m |
30m |
The existing Silo structure is 35m |
|
Internet service improvement: |
Before: After: 56x faster after install |
Before: After: 25x faster after install |
Before: After: 50x faster after install |
|
Examples |
Bluff Hotel – 500/50Mbps |
Mick Davies – Farmer – 250/50Mbps |
CQ Saw Milling – 250/50Mbps |
Additional Information
Please visit eme.gov.au for more information about 5G and electromagnetic energy, provided by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC).
Additional resources relating to the infrastructure and equipment used for this project can be accessed via the links below.
