COOTAMUNDRA Shire Council will adopt a wait and see attitude in relation to South Western Wireless’s (SWW) proposal to install a high speed internet service in Cootamundra.
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A council representative attended a presentation this month, facilitated by the Cootamundra Development Corporation, by SWW Sales and Marketing Director Stephen Byrne.
Mr Byrne was heavily involved with the recent switch on of optic fibre fast internet speeds and free wi-fi at Harden/Murrumburrah.
The purpose of the presentation was to generate interest in a similar business proposal to operate in Cootamundra.
Councillors were told that the Information Services Manager attended the meeting to gain an understanding of the business proposal and the potential community expectation for council involvement.
“The proposal presented by Mr Byrne was for SWW to find a local entity willing to contribute approximately $370,000 and enter into a partnership agreement to supply internet services,” the report explained.
The April meeting was told that council had not received a financial contribution towards this proposal but there were some general comments at the public meeting that the council may become the “local entity”.
In the report to the council on the meeting it was submitted that “council staff would not recommend that council become involved in any business arrangement to become an entrepreneurial internet service provider.”
It was also recommended by staff that council not contribute financially.
There was a misconception at the presentation that Harden Shire Council contributed to the Harden installation; however it was in fact the Kruger Trust – a private non-government philanthropic organisation.
Cootamundra Shire councillor Paul Braybrooks’ urged council to adopt a wait and see attitude and to see if there were any other businesses in the community wanting to be involved.
Cr Mary Donnelly commented that it is not a “council matter”.
“It is a community matter,” Cr Braybrooks responded.
There was some talk of some serious other money in town that may be willing to invest in the proposal.
“It may be advantageous for this council to get involved in some way,” Cr Braybrooks said.
Cr Doug Phillips agreed that council should “not discount it”.
