NELSON Bay and Raymond Terrace city centres are set to get a technological boost with the news that approval was given at last week’s council meeting to install a trial of free WiFi in  their respective CBD areas. 

Deputy Mayor Cr Chris Doohan told News Of The Area, “This project and trial has been a long time coming, and will have so many benefits for residents and visitors to our beautiful Port Stephens.”

“If we want to roll with the big dogs, with our massive tourist draw card, we need to get with the times and give this community the positive progress that it deserves.”

“The benefits are so much more than the social media side of things, and will be such a valuable asset to our beautiful Port Stephens,” he said.

Aside from allowing people to check in on Facebook, post pictures to Instagram, or send that essential email, there are many other benefits to having a free public WiFi zone.

In recent years, Port Stephens has been through catastrophic fires and the superstorm event.

With both these recent events knocking out power across a widespread area, the benefits of a public WiFi system would have been considerable.

It does not take much power to make sure a public WiFi system is still running, with a small generator or solar panel capable of doing the trick.

In addition, using the software to control the zone, the zone’s administrator can add information to a page viewed initially by anyone using the WiFi zone, which could easily be used as a means to spread information about where to volunteer or get help, what roads are closed, and what supplies are needed.

Tourism and town promotion is also set the benefit from the new trial.

A town with free WiFi gives extra motivation for visitors to stop and explore.

The zone can be set up so that a landing page is seen by everyone using the zone, directing users to a calendar of town events, a listing of local eateries, and a page on things to do.

Ryan Palmer, president of the Nelson Bay Chamber of Commerce, told News Of The Area, “Public WiFi in both Raymond Terrace And Nelson Bay as a trial will be a great start to bringing Port Stephens business districts up to speed with other East Coast communities.”

“The WiFi is just not about access to the Internet but has applications such as tracking vacant car spaces, tracking pedestrian movements, tracking when bins are full, therefore reducing the need to empty them so often, and connects much needed CCTV.”

A welcome addition to Port Stephens, and an interesting trial that will no doubt have people talking.

 

By Rachael VAUGHAN