The Ruapehu Council has begun the second stage of its broadband investment bid, hoping to gain part of the next stage of the national broadband investment programme.

The next phase of the government's broadband plan focuses on extending implementation of ultra-fast broadband, enhancing rural broadband and limiting mobile black spots.

Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron said that for Ruapehu to gain part of the $400 million dedicated to this next stage of investment, the Ruapehu community needs to show the government that we would be able to capitalise on it and provide the best possible return for New Zealand.

“The bid process is broken into two stages the first being a Registration of Interest (ROI) followed by a Digital Enablement Plan (DEP) that outlines how we would benefit Ruapehu and New Zealand from the investment,” Cameron explains.

He says the Council submitted its ROI at the end of June and are now in the process of developing its DEP, which must be submitted by 18 September.

“Ruapehu communities have been absolutely fantastic in support of council's bid so far with many people taking part in the internet speed test and providing ‘war stories' around internet issues in support of the ROI,” he says.

“The DEP now needs to show how council will be able to support our communities with getting connected and enable them to reap the benefits of improved internet services.

Cameron says that to put together the best possible DEP the Council needs further input from our communities.

“We need to develop a detailed understanding of what Ruapehu's communities' internet aspirations are and how council can support achieving these,” he explains.

“In order to gather this vital information for the DEP, council is holding a series of meetings in towns around the district and asking residents to complete a short survey on the benefits and opportunities that better internet services would bring.

Cameron says the meeting details are advertised local papers or along with the survey can be found on council's website www.ruapehudc.govt.nz.

“Anyone needing any further information on this project is welcome to call council policy analyst Samantha Arthur-Curtis via their local council office,” he adds.