Eight 'go anywhere' Telecentres are now operational in Djarindjin, Jarlmadangah Burru, Mindibungu, Nullagine, Warmun, Wingellina, Noonkanbah and Tjuntjuntjara.
Known as MITEs (Modular Interactive Telecommunications Environments) these buildings can be transported into remote locations. They are 14.4m x 4.2m in dimension and they contain all the essential tools of a standard Telecentre - computers, printers, scanners, two-way videoconferencing, satellite broadband, the Westlink satellite and teaching service and television monitors.
In order to equip more remote communities with modern communications these modular MITE Telecentres were established in these remote communities to provide a more flexible on the ground solution. They provided an opportunity for these communities to establish and undertake the operations of a Telecentre, because they did not have a suitable building available for a Telecentre to operate from.
These eight MITES were established with funding assistance from the
Commonwealth Government.
This program was targeted to small remote communities, located more
than 500km from Perth. The Telecentre Support Branch managed the development
and implementation of this project in partnership with a local Western
Australian information technology company and the Murray River North
housing company in Pinjarra.
The communities that are managing these facilities met a number of project costs, including the provision of land, undertaking site works, the development of car parking, signage, the connection of power and phone to site and the payment of all utility connection costs.
Costs
for maintenance to the building, supplied furnishings and all equipment
was met by the MITE program for 12 months after the facility was installed
The MITE remains the property of the Department of Local Government and Regional Development until it is gifted to the Shire or appropriate community organisation for continued use as a Telecentre. Following this the local community MITE management committee meets all maintenance costs.