THE Mill Park Library digital hub was launched last week to help residents and local businesses get the full benefits from the National Broadband Network.
The retiring member for the federal seat of Scullin, Harry Jenkins, and Scullin Labor candidate Andrew Giles tried out an interactive television that is part of the hub.
The hub has three booths for small groups and includes table-top touch-screen computers connected to the internet, interactive whiteboards, video conferencing facilities, iPads, e-readers and computers.
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, launched the hub. He said that since the first fibre rollout in South Morang last year, more than 40 per cent of residents had moved to the NBN.
He said the federal government had also provided funding for a “virtual village” using the NBN for seniors in the City of Whittlesea. The “village” allowed seniors to participate via high-definition video conferencing in community activities including exercise classes, online forums and virtual visits with family and community members, he said.
Cr Nicola Davis said an example of how the village could help older, house-bound residents was through online exercise classes.
“We can target information and services to older people through new online technology, which will improve the support we provide and help them maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.’’
She said 6000 homes in South Morang had access to the NBN, and over the next three years about 39,000 homes and businesses in the area were expected to be connected.
