Floods won't affect Qld NBN roll-out

The disastrous floods affecting Queensland will not have an impact on the roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Townsville, the office of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy confirmed today.

The flooding has so far cost Queensland $600 million in damages and has led to the evacuation of many residents in towns in south-west Queensland. The mainland roll-out site of Townsville, located out of the disaster zone in north-eastern Queensland, would not be impacted by the floods, the minister's office told ZDNet Australia in a statement today.

"The flood situation is currently not having any impact on the NBN roll-out in Townsville and no delays have been experienced as a consequence of flooding in other parts of Queensland," Conroy's office said. "NBN Co's contractor has recommenced work on the Townsville roll-out on 4 January 2011 following the Christmas shut-down period."

Floods were also unlikely to bring supply problems to the construction site.

"NBN Co's contractor currently has sufficient supplies to continue work on the roll-out of the NBN and therefore road closures in other parts of Queensland are not currently having an impact on this project."

Conroy yesterday announced that the government would assist restoring internet connections for residents who had lost their connection as a result of the floods.