NBN roll-out rectification works

Media response I The City of Ballarat has signed an agreement with NBN Co in relation to council being paid, including all council on-costs for rectification of the now limited number of NBN infrastructure issues which exist across central Ballarat and other areas that have had the NBN installed.

Council has invoiced NBN Co for this amount in accordance with the agreement and we anticipate payment in 14 days after which time works will commence.

The main issues this agreement focused on was around damage to council infrastructure including footpaths, nature strips and other public areas. It does not address issues in relation to private land or specific telecommunications issues.

The works will be programmed to be completed over the 2018-19 financial year. Council has undertaken extensive auditing of the outstanding NBN issues and agreed to this amount considering this extensive research.

Since council was represented at a parliamentary inquiry on the NBN, where it was highlighted Ballarat had experienced significant concerns around the NBN roll-out’s impact on public infrastructure, the NBN and its subcontractors have worked with council in rectifying the vast majority of identified non-compliance matters.

The recently agreed position in relation to the NBN Co’s $500,000 agreement with council is to address the issues not picked up by NBN and their respective subcontractors.

The statement made at the parliamentary inquiry was to the effect that, if there was no rectification undertaken across the whole NBN roll-out that it could see rectification costs in the order of $13 million.  The $500,000 will cover our anticipated costs.

- City of Ballarat Director of Infrastructure and Environment Terry Demeo