The Hurunui Mayor is urging the government to pick up its pace on the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to rural areas.
Districts that are part of the second roll-out of ultra-fast broadband may still have to wait years for it to actually appear. Photo: CHORUS
The government has announced the second roll-out of ultra fast broadband, in which 151 additional towns will get access to fibre connection.
The Hurunui District is one of the areas to benefit, and the Mayor Winton Dalley says it certainly needs the extra capacity and speed.
But he said it may take until 2024 to actually happen.
"My understanding is that there will be negotiations to understand the roll-out, and when and how it will occur. There is an indication that earthquake-affected areas will have some priority."
Mr Dalley said stage two of the rural rollout was still needed and he was reminding the government there was a lot more work to be done.
The mayor of Buller has welcomed news that several West Coast towns are near the top of the list to benefit from the latest ultra fast broadband roll outs.
Garry Howard said Rununga, Hokitika, Reefton and Westport will get faster broadband within the first two years of the seven-year rollout.
He said IT development had been highlighted as critical to the coast's economic development.
"It's actually making the West Coast a better place to do business, to make it possible to do business in. It's certainly part of our infrastrcuture plan of facilitating businesses to run on the coast."
Mr Howard said the coast this year faced several important decisions on its future, including local government reform.
Consultation began last year and revealed a majority support streamlining services among the coast's four councils.
