By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
FREE public wi-fi could be rolled out across Geelong if councillor Rod Macdonald has his way.
Whittington became the latest connected suburb this week, adding to wi-fi already accessible on Geelong’s waterfront, city area and parts of Belmont.
“I’d like to see it rolled out across all suburbs, focussing on activity areas like parks and shopping centres,” Cr Macdonald said.
“It attracts people into those areas, helps with passive surveillance and consequently there’s a reduction in graffiti and anti-social behaviour.”
Whittington Link Reserve has free public wi-fi after this week’s launch.
The initiative is part of a Communities Accessing Technology project, part of the City Hall’s broader Digital Geelong strategy.
Cr Macdonald said free public wi-fi was important for residents.
“With so much business, education and social interaction done via the internet, it’s critical everyone has knowledge of and can access the web.”
Fifty-four per cent of Whittington households were connected to the internet, Cr Macdonald said.
