Avoca's Bulaki Wuka Digital Hub officially opened

Published on 15 March 2023

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Avoca’s Digital Hub is officially open for business. Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Ron Eason was joined by fellow councillors, council officers and members of the project team in Avoca yesterday to open the new facility which provides a versatile co-working space equipped with free high-speed internet access to the community.

The Bulaki Wuka Digital Hub – a local Indigenous term that means “giving to the community” – was developed in response to the need for a practical office and meeting space as an alternative to working from home or travelling to Maryborough, Bendigo or Ballarat for work.

“Technology has transformed the way we work,” said Cr Eason. “For many people, going to the office no longer means jumping in the car and driving to a particular place. It’s amazing what can be achieved with video conferencing and shared online workspaces these days.”

Two rooms at the rear of the Avoca Information and Community Centre were completely redeveloped to create the digital hub, which features fast internet access, mobile phone charging stations, video conferencing, co-working and private workspaces, plus CCTV security and kitchen facilities.

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From left: Pyrenees Shire CEO Jim Nolan, Project Manager Jane Bowker, Mayor Cr Ron Eason, Cr Tanya Kehoe, Director of Corporate and Community Services Kathy Bramwell, Cr David Clark, Cr Robert Vance, Avoca resident John Quinn, Cr Damian Ferrari, Director Assets and Development Services Douglas Gowans, Project Co-Ordinator Zahedur Rahman and Project Co-Ordinator Muhammad Abdulla

“This place gives us the best of both worlds – community members can access high-speed internet services and workers can meet face-to-face in the very comfortable and well set up spaces that offer much more than your average home office,” said Cr Eason. “I’m very proud of our team and what we’ve delivered here.

“What was an under-utilized space that few people would have even known was here is now a fantastic asset for the Avoca community and surrounding districts, and I’m sure that it will be a busy place for many years to come.”

The Victorian Government provided $90,000 towards the $110,000 total cost of the project through its Regional Digital Fund.

Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll, who was unable to attend the event, welcomed the opening of the Digital Hub in a statement yesterday.

 

Lead photo: Project Co-Ordinator Zahedur Rahman discusses the Bulaki Wuka redevelopment with Director Assets and Development Services, Douglas Gowans

 

 

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