More than 2,100 homes and businesses across six Victorian communities are now eligible for faster internet services following the completion of new fibre infrastructure under the Victorian Government’s Connecting Victoria program.
The project, delivered in partnership with Opticomm, has seen 150 kilometres of fibre installed across Clyde, Cardinia, Devon Meadows, Curlewis, Wallington and Dunolly. According to the government, more than 500 premises have already connected to the upgraded network.
Eligible residents can access broadband speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps download and 400 Mbps upload, with trial speeds of up to eight Gbps expected to become available in coming months.
The Victorian Government says the upgrades are intended to improve connectivity for households, businesses and emergency communications in regional and outer metropolitan communities. The announcement comes as governments and telecommunications providers face growing pressure to strengthen digital infrastructure in areas vulnerable to bushfires, floods and other natural disasters.
Victoria is among Australia’s most fire-prone states, and reliable communications networks are increasingly viewed as a key part of emergency preparedness. The government argues that fibre connections can help improve access to emergency alerts and real-time information when traditional communications networks come under pressure during crises.
Beyond emergency management, the upgrades are expected to support remote work, online learning and digital business operations. Small businesses in regional communities often face challenges linked to slower internet speeds and service interruptions compared with metropolitan areas, making reliable broadband an important economic consideration.
The fibre rollout forms part of the Victorian Government’s $550 million Connecting Victoria initiative, which is funding more than 1,300 mobile and broadband projects across the state. More than 900 of those projects are located in regional Victoria.
Telecommunications infrastructure is primarily funded and regulated by the federal government. However, the state government has argued that additional investment is needed to address gaps in coverage and service quality, particularly in regional areas.
Government Services Minister Ingrid Stitt said reliable broadband had become essential for everyday life.
“Whether you’re a family catching up with relatives interstate, a small business competing online or a community preparing for an emergency, reliable broadband changes lives,” she said.
Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said local families and businesses should have access to dependable internet services regardless of where they live.
“Local families and small businesses deserve the same reliable connection as anyone else in Victoria. That’s why we’re delivering faster speeds, fewer dropouts and better connected communities,” she said.
Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards said residents had been waiting for better broadband services.
“Local communities have waited long enough for reliable broadband. This investment means they can get on with their lives online,” she said.
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said the project would help residents stay connected for work, study and family life, while Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the upgrades would improve connectivity for rural communities in Dunolly and across regional Victoria.
Residents can check whether their property is eligible for a fibre upgrade through the Connecting Victoria program website.
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