Results from the consultation process and desktop research concerning Ballarat's current position as a vibrant and dynamic ICT centre are presented below. Voyer's (2003) characteristics of cluster success have been adapted to provide a structure for the review of Ballarat's current landscape with each of the following areas considered:
- Recognition of potential
- Critical mass
- Level of ICT employment
- Locational benefits
- Industry champions
- Entrepreneurship
- Financing
- Information networks
- Education, research, development and commercialisation
- Physical infrastructure
ICT is recognised as a priority area by all three levels of Government. Ballarat has been able to use its reputation as an ICT Centre to successfully attract public funding. A recent example of the State Government's commitment to ICT in Ballarat is the funding of the Ballarat ICT Cluster project, in partnership with the City of Ballarat and Ballarat ICT Ltd .
Ballarat's ICT related achievements and the commitment of Local, State and Federal Governments provide credence to Ballarat's potential to further develop and enhance a position as a leading regional ICT Centre. The recognition of this potential by the City of Ballarat, industry and the University of Ballarat is considered a key strength of Ballarat's competitive position. The following elements are key exemplars of the commitment to the development of ICT in Ballarat and the broader region:
- The City's Economic Development Strategy provides support for the Ballarat ICT Ltd board and enhancing the uptake of ICT in the business and residential community;
- A priority of the Ballarat ICT Cluster project is to involve industry in the development of the local sector;
- The University of Ballarat's School of ITMS, Centre for Informatics and Applied Optimization (CIAO), Collaborative Centre for eHealth (CCeH) and Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC) provide essential links between higher education, research institutions and the business and residential community.
- The University of Ballarat achieved significant success in attracting funding, particularly through the Networking the Nation program, for regional ICT initiatives. More than $3.2 million was secured during the period between 1997-2002 for ICT projects which focused on awareness raising, training and support, Internet infrastructure, strategy and business case development, public Internet access centres; travelling-training and technical support services.
- The Grampians Regional Rural Health Alliance Network (GRHANet) was established in 2002 after attracting $8 million in Federal Government funding to meet the needs of rural health care agencies for cost effective access to telecommunications services, and to achieve the strategic and logistical support required to sustain and enhance the use of broadband services. As a result of developing this network, broadband has been made available to nearly 40 communities in Western Victoria.
Although the recognition and commitment to Ballarat's potential as an ICT centre is apparent there continues to be a need for more deliberate collaboration with neighbouring local government areas to maximise the benefits derived from ICT related development and adoption.
Prev
Next