21 November 2014

Circular Head General Manager Tony Smart said the Smithton Digital Hub would be closing on 19 December 2014 due to the program coming to an end.

“Council was provided with two years of funding from the Federal Government to deliver the digital hub along with 37 other communities in Australia,” Mr Smart said.

“As this program has completed, Council has made a decision to close the facility.”

Mr Smart said the Smithton Digital Hub had gone above and beyond meeting the objectives of the program.

“The hub was established to demonstrate the benefits of the NBN to local residents and developed to also offer a range of programs that assisted people to improve their online and digital literacy skills,” Mr Smart said.

“It is thanks to the work of both the Digital Hub Project Officer/Trainer Jacki Langton, Digital Hub Trainer Sally Stanley and many volunteers that we were able to further extend the offerings available.”

Mr Smart said three staff were employed at the hub on a casual basis, with all employment agreements to end in December 2014.

“While it is regrettable that we will not be able to continue delivering this service, Council is continuing discussions with both LINC Tasmania (Department of Education) and the Circular Head Education and Training Consultative Committee (CHETCC) about the possible use of some of the equipment with the aim to help address the ongoing community need for further education in technology,” Mr Smart said.

“Without external funding, Council is not in a position to continue delivering this service, which is not a core function of this organisation.

 

Council was provided with $325,000 of Federal Government funds to deliver the program with about $100,000 of in-kind coming from Council.

“Council has been encouraged by the support that the hub has received in its two years of operation and feel that the facility has exceeded the objectives of the program,” Mr Smart said.

“I therefore wish to thank both staff, volunteers and the general public for their role in achieving this outcome.”

The equipment at the Digital Hub will remain the property of Council, with continuing discussions with both LINC and CHETCC about the possible future uses of the technology.