Building up the Bush: An Asset Based Approach to Creating Sustainable Online Access Centres

Wood LM¹*, Stockwell M²* and Lacey L³

1. Queensland Department of Communities, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2. Atherton Learning Centre, Atherton, Queensland, Australia
3. Community ICT Policy, Strategic Policy Directorate, Queensland Department of Communities, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Rural online access centres (OACs) have been a significant element of the Australian Government’s Networking the Nation funding program. These community-based facilities deliver public access to the Internet, provide a local venue for ICT training, and play a significant role in the social and economic life of communities. With the end of Commonwealth funding, many centres Australia-wide face concerns about sustainability.

This paper describes the Queensland State Government’s response to this situation, in developing an asset-based model that is replicable, socially inclusive, locally based and low cost. The model establishes an OAC in each region to act as the hub for action to develop, extend and support similar facilities in communities elsewhere in the region.

Experience has shown that OACs need leadership, local and external resources, and active community support. The model builds and supports new leadership capacity and connects people, resources and facilities within and across communities and sectors. These fresh combinations of talents and resources produce new ways of locating and combining funding opportunities, equipment, venues and facilities, and opportunities to engage more effectively with government at all levels.

The model also enables individuals to address problems of social isolation and lack of access to information through a broadened range of social contacts. It encourages development of stronger and more extensive social networks that underpin increased engagement, participation and the growth of community social capital.

The Queensland approach builds on existing community assets to create sustainable OACs that contribute to the vitality of small rural and regional communities.