This Margaret River Digital Economy Project was financially supported by the WA State Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grant Scheme, South West Development Commission, Rotary Club of Margaret River, Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council and Members. The are very grateful for the support from these local, regional and state bodies.
The Margaret River Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. sought capital expenditure funding for a Margaret River town centre wireless-as-a-service infrastructure. facilitated a community business directory in partnership with Margaret River Rotary and an e-commerce marketplace software-as-a-service, an “eBay for Margaret River” via a free public wireless broadband network.
achieved this by provisioning an outdoor Free Public Wi-Fi Network with the services of Acurix Networks Pty Ltd and integrating it with the Online Shopping Platform along the main street of Margaret River to enable the expansion of social and economic opportunities for business, residents and visitors.
The project meets the Chamber’s first object of playing a leading role in formulating strategic plans and policies for economic development and sustainable growth of business in the Margaret River region.
A Free Public Wi-Fi Network underpins the emerging local digital economy and is essential to Margaret River’s productivity, global competitiveness and improved social wellbeing.
is committed to growing our regional economy with the Rotary Margaret River Directory Digital Economy Platform. The digital platform is an easy-to-use hybrid web and mobile online marketplace application for buying and selling local goods and services.
understands that people have fear, uncertainty and doubt around the adoption of e-commerce technology, particularly in regional areas. Closing the gap on the digital divide can be achieved with the Free Public Wi-Fi Network because the wireless communications infrastructure in the town centre lowers the barriers of access in a regional area where reliable rural telecommunications is substandard compared to metropolitan areas.
Further, people like to do things together and believe that doing technology together can be achieved with Free Public Wi-Fi project. Margaret River residents and visitors will be can engage with their digital devices for free, from the Margaret River Bridge to Reuther Park at the top of town.
There is still a long digital road for the and our community to travel and fortunately the South West Region have the thought and action leaders to make that journey successful.