The Department recognises Western Australia's agricultural industry needs for fast, affordable and reliable broadband services and suitable access to digital infrastructure to remain competitive both nationally and internationally.
GDEP seeks to provide the greatest coverage possible and best outcomes for regional businesses and communities, narrowing the digital divide between urban and regional Western Australia. This objective is achievable by harnessing the expertise of the telecommunications industry to deliver high quality broadband services across the Grainbelt.
Stage One, identified innovative technical and commercial solutions through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, to determine the level of service that could be provided and to identify suitable organisations to work with the State Government capable to deliver the project outcomes.
Submissions for the EOI process have now closed.
In Stage Two, proponents are invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP), including the development of a feasibility study, commercial proposal and secured indications of commercial support for the project.
The evaluation and assessment of responses to the EOI resulted in one successful proponent. This proponent has now progressed to Stage Two of the project, with an invitation to respond to an RFP, including the development of a feasibility study, commercial proposal and secured indications of commercial support for the project.
Stage Two is in progress and the Department will provide further updates when available.