Striving for Digital Connectivity: Digital Equality Making a World of Difference to Regional Queensland

Striving for Digital Connectivity

Back to Webinars 2020/21

Striving for Digital Connectivity

11 June 2020

Striving for Digital Connectivity: Digital Equality Making a World of Difference to Regional Queensland

Prof Hurriyet Babacan (JCU -RECoE)

Prof Jim Cavaye (UTas)

Saleena Ham (USQ)

Moderator: Trudi Bartlett (Director, RDA DD & SW)

If the COVID 19 pandemic has taught us anything it is the importance of digital connectivity. Only within the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE) collaboration can you find two in-depth studies on such an important topic - that of digital connectivity in regional and remote areas of Australia.

CONNECTIVITY AND INCLUSION IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND'S AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES is a study that commenced in 2018, with funding from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), RECoE and James Cook University researchers Allan Dale and Hurriyet Babacan partnered with Northern Gulf Resource Management Group to complete three-week-long data field trips to towns and properties across the Gulf Savannah. The second research project Central Western Queensland Digital Connectivity Project Assessment of Social and Economic Impacts - started in 2016 and completed in 2019 and was led by Professor Jim Cavaye in conjunction with Saleena Ham and Michael Erdiaw-Kwasie. The project and subsequent report describes the results of research on the social and economic impacts of digital connection in remote communities in far western Queensland – Jundah, Stonehenge, Windorah in the Barcoo Shire; and Birdsville and Bedourie in the Diamantina Shire.

Researchers attended and presented at rural events, undertook interviews and focus groups, and conducted three case studies of cattle properties. These activities provided real-world context for the policy analysis undertaken. The Far North Queensland study looks at cross-level, cross-sector policy analysis was undertaken to determine the laws and strategies that impact rural and remote internet access, reliability and affordability, along with digital ability and capacity building frameworks. The Central Western project takes a more longitudinal approach with assessment of social and economic impacts these impacts was made in 2016 (prior to fast internet and mobile phone connection), in 2017 (one year after connection) and in 2019 (2.5 years after connection).

Join the key investigators from both projects for a discussion on regional digital connectivity and what it now means in a post-COVID environment.

 

Professor Jim Cavaye's presentation can be viewed here

WEBINAR PART A: Intro & Prof Hurriyet Babacan, Far North Queensland Digital Connectivity study

PART B  Prof Jim Cavaye & Saleena Ham: Central West Queensland Digital Connectivity

Jun
2020

Social and Economic Impacts of Digital Connection in Remote Communities: Central Western Queensland

Central Western Queensland Digital Connectivity Project: Assessment of the Social and
Economic Impacts of Digital Connection in Remote Communities

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Aug
2019

Connectivity and inclusion in Far North Queensland's agricultural communities

Internet connectivity is essential for prosperity and development in all societies. This policy‐focussed report is the culmination of a qualitative study of digital connectivity and telecommunications in rural Far North Queensland (FNQ). In particular, the research investigated the lived experience of digital inclusion – a combination of internet access, affordability of technology, and digital ability ‐ in agricultural households and communities the northern Gulf region. The Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) shows that North West Queensland (which takes in the Gulf Savannah) is one of Australia’s least digitally included regions.

The ADII further suggests that farmers and farm managers tend to score more poorly in the Index than others in comparable circumstances, particularly on the digital ability sub‐index. This research aimed to unpack how these quantitative insights ‘play out’ in the context of rural FNQ, thereby shedding light on the nuanced and context‐specific factors that impact digital participation of farming households and communities.

Report Authors: Dr Amber Marshall (JCU/QUT) | Prof Allan Dale (JCU)| Prof Hurriyet Babacan (JCU)|Michael Dezuanni (QUT)

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May
2019

Emerging rural and regional policy considerations for Queensland: an overview paper

Rural economic development is a complex process and the breadth of issues confronting policy makers, both contextual and conceptual, need consideration. This paper provides an initial exploratory analysis and overview of key issues in economic policy making of relevance to rural and regional areas, highlighting the key issues that have emerged from scholars and practitioners.  The purpose of the paper is to present the landscape of factors and issues relevant to policy making  and to enable effective conceptualization of rural/regional economic policy development within a larger contextual framework.  This exploratory paper will unpack key issues influencing rural/regional governance, policy formulation, adoption and implementation.

Authors: Professor Hurriyet Babacan, Professor Allan Dale, The Cairns Institute, James Cook University

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