The Sunshine Coast is now possibly Australia’s most globally connected region with a Google and NEXTDC partnership delivering a second submarine broadband cable to the Maroochydore data centre.
Sunshine Coast Council and its longtime business partner NEXTDC have joined forces with Google in an initiative called Australia Connect, which will deliver the new cable.
The partnership builds on substantial progress made in the establishment of Maroochydore City Centre, where NEXTDC’s SC1 data centre is located.
NEXTDC is Australia’s largest listed developer and operator of data centres. It owns the 100 per cent uptime SC1 Tier III data centre in Maroochydore, which was originally built by Council.
The SC1 data centre is the connection point for the existing Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network, which provides the fastest international connection to Asia from Australia’s east coast.
Under this new initiative, the data centre will also host the second cable.
The new broadband cable will connect Australia to the US via Fiji; delivering faster, more resilient internet infrastructure for businesses in Australia and in previously unconnected Indo-Pacific markets.
The new cable complements the Sunshine Coast’s existing technology capabilities including WIFI 6 and further strengthens the region’s appeal as a prime location for technology-related investments.
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The new submarine broadband cable and the Google / NEXTDC / Sunshine Coast Council partnership is a major win for the Sunshine Coast, Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
The initiative will deliver a new landing point in Australia for the Tabua trans-Pacific subsea cable, which connects Australia, Fiji and the US.
Key facts
The new cable will deliver more than just improved connectivity. It will change Australia’s entire digital landscape, by shifting focus to the Sunshine Coast as a growing region intent on securing its own brand of tech-enabled future.
The Google / NEXTDC / Sunshine Coast partnership builds on the Coast’s enviable digital infrastructure, making it even more attractive to international businesses and investors.
The $2.5 billion Maroochydore City Centre, located at the heart of the Sunshine Coast, is an award-winning planning project and a smart city in the making.
In true Sunshine Coast style, the city centre is located close to the beach and designed with acres of parkland.
Investment in digital infrastructure in the city centre goes beyond the high-speed cable connections, to the strategic rollout of high-tech and innovation initiatives.
The NEXTDC data centre has enabled the rollout of WIFI 6 and Sunshine Coast Council has been spearheading smart city initiatives for many years, including test and trial technology programs.
The Maroochydore City Centre is Australia’s newest greenfield CBD and a Queensland Government approved Priority Development Area. Its proximity to the data centre Sunshine Coast Airport further enhances its appeal as a globally connected business destination.
Image sourced from Google
Already punching above its weight as a preferred regional business location, the Sunshine Coast is now even more in the spotlight as a prime location for future-facing businesses.
Sunshine Coast Council is experiencing a surge in interest from astute business owners and investors as a result of the Google announcement.
These businesses are looking to secure their share of the dividends expected to flow from current investment in technology and innovation.
Read more at Google’s blog post Australia Connect initiative delivers new digital pathways for the Indo-Pacific.
The new cable builds on the significant progress made establishing Maroochydore City Centre as one of Australia’s fastest growing innovation hubs.
It adds to the existing Sunshine Coast’s International Broadband Network, which provides the fastest international connection to Asia from Australia’s east coast.
The city centre precinct and the Sunshine Coast region at large represent an ideal investment destination for both international and Australian-based businesses.
Several innovative Sunshine Coast Council programs have been globally recognised, winning three Gold Awards 2024 with the International Economic Development Council based in the US.
NEXTDC Managing Director and CEO Craig Scroggie said NEXTDC was proud to be a longstanding partner with Sunshine Coast Council and Google.
“We’re thrilled to expand this strategic partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Google in support of the Australia Connect initiative, enhancing Australia’s internet connectivity and delivering faster, more secure and reliable digital services,” Mr Scroggie said.
“This initiative strengthens the Sunshine Coast’s position as a hub for investment and further fortifies Australia’s digital economy.”
Google Cloud Global Network Infrastructure Vice-President Brian Quigley said Google was pleased to collaborate with Sunshine Coast Council to bring a new landing for the Tabua subsea cable in Eastern Australia.
“This project will help increase the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in the Indo-Pacific by improving reliability, adding capacity and reducing latency,” Mr Quigley said.
