Hinterland businesses to link with high-speed internet

Councillors are keen to end a frustrating two-year search for a new occupier of a Cooroy tech hub after a Brisbane-based company expressed interest in the site.

Not the Tardis but Cooroy's answer to hi-tech superhighway.

Cooroy business looks in line to leverage super-fast internet speeds of the Sunshine Coast’s new international fibre optic cable connection if council finally seals a deal with a new tenant at its hinterland data centre.

Councillors are keen to end a frustrating two-year search for a new occupier of the Cooroy technology site with fibre option connections by signing OneQode Assets.

$35 million broadband cable project complete

Infrastructure to transform towns into digital hubs

Council’s Cooroy Data Centre in Maple St was opened back in 2008 beside the Butter Factory and was occupied by its project partner Mach Technology for 10 years.

Extensive negotiations since October 2018 with two companies have failed to secure a hi-tech replacement tenant until possibly now.

Council’s property adviser Denis Wallace said OneQode had entered into a preliminary agreement with council to pay $34,000 in rent a year for the bespoke 97sq m building but is yet to sign off on the deal.

The site in Cooroy that may be a boost for local business through super-fast internet.

“OneQode are a fledgling Brisbane-based technology company offering high-speed internet and data services,” Mr Wallace said.

“They are seeking to leverage the advantages of the Sunshine Coast’s new international fibre optic cable connection and provide new services to businesses and residents.

“Potentially it will provide internet connections for customers in Cooroy and they’ll be looking for other sites in Noosa to deliver the same.”

Mr Wallace said OneQode want to install a 3m high wireless transmission mast for backhaul connection and wireless internet transmission on the roof of the Cooroy Butter Factory and consultation with stakeholders is underway.

Cr Joe Jurisevic said this would be a good outcome for this building.

“To get some upgraded internet facilities and Wi-Fi transmission in Cooroy will be a great boost for the local businesses in the area,” he said.

Cr Karen Finzel agreed this would be a positive for the town.

“After having worked in Cooroy for many years (with) the internet and broadband access, any improvement will be greatly received,” she said.

The submarine cable is Queensland’s first direct international data and telecommunications connection providing the fastest international connection point from Queensland to Asia.

The project included the installation of a 550km undersea fibre optic cable which connects the Sunshine Coast to the 7000km Japan-Guam-Australia South submarine cable.

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