The role of the NBN Co., which was created by the Federal Government, is to provide the infrastructure for the National Broadband Network.

Both NBN Co. and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) realise the importance of community liaison in the construction and installation of the network.

ALGA President, Cr Geoff Lake said “The principles stress the importance of observing local planning controls, the need to preserve as many land and road reserves as possible and the desirability of flexible business models in order to minimise disruption to communities as the roll-out gains momentum.”

With an estimated 20,000 homes to be connected weekly, there will be a range of techniques used to connect the network. Possible installation methods include:

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  • Overhead (with existing services)
  • Trenching and micro-trenching
  • Use of other utility ducting
  • Use of wastewater infrastructure
  • Boring/drilling.

NBN Co. Stakeholder Liaison Advisor Duncan Bremner said that during peak construction they expect to pass 4,000 premises per day and will put in place 250,000 km of fibre cable.

When full-scale national construction commences, the roll out will take approximately eight years and will pass ten to eleven million premises.

The ASTT is advocating on behalf of the industry, explaining the many benefits of the trenchless option, such as reducing damage to business and residential property, lower carbon emissions, reduced reinstatement costs, and the protection of sensitive environments such as the coast, rivers and creeks.