Kopu locals are now enjoying much faster broadband speeds thanks to the Thames-Coromandel District Council's partnership with Chorus.

The communications infrastructure company originally programmed for the work to take place in June 2016, due to council's efforts the upgrade was pushed forward to the start of this month.

Thames-Coromandel District Council chief executive David Hammond addressing Kopu locals and business owners at a public meeting held earlier this month. Photo: TCDC

The broadband cabinet at the corner of Queen and Quay streets that serves most of the area contained by State Highway 25 and the Waihou River can now handle a much greater load of internet traffic at much higher speeds.

Council says it worked with Chorus and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment so the work could be done this year but paid for out of next year's budget as originally planned.

'All we had to pay for was the capital cost to Chorus of moving forward the upgrade [which was] $5,520.

'Another broadband cabinet, near the Kopu-Hikuai turnoff, that serves businesses by the State Highway roundabout, will be upgraded by June.”

The upgrade was announced to local business operators at a meeting on April 1 at the Kopu Station Hotel.

At this meeting council staff also updated attendees on plans to make Kopu competitive with business parks outside the Coromandel.

This plans aims to keep existing businesses in Kopu and attract new ones in order to boost employment in the area.

After consultations with Kopu business operators last year a concept plan was drawn up for how the business park might eventually look.

It included a gateway hub to welcome visitors, a precinct devoted to marine industry activities and the aquaculture industry, and improved boat launch facilities.

There were several key points raised at this meeting:

'Infrastructure, especially stormwater handling facilities, needs to be upgraded in order for the business park to be further developed,” says council. 'A lot of computer modelling and feasibility work on stormwater has been done.

'Proposals for retention ponds and a pumping station are in the Draft Long Term Plan which is out for consultation until April 9.”

As well as a competitive business park, Kopu has potential as a recreational destination, with access to the Hauraki Rail Trail, the Waihou River and the Firth of Thames.

All the details on what's proposed and how to make a submission are on the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/ltp

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR BROADBAND

• Previously ADSL1 (asymmetric digital subscriber line) was available. Now, the faster ADSL2+ is available, with data capacity of 10 Megabits per second (Mbps).
• Older modems can't handle the higher speed, so check how old your modem is, you may need to upgrade.
• Check your broadband package with your Internet Service Provider (ISP - eg Spark, Telecom, etc). Some ISPs have sold packages that can only handle lower internet speeds.
• Make sure your computer is using the latest operating system available.
• If your computer is more than three years old, seriously consider getting a new one, because the older models can't handle the higher internet speeds. Likewise for your router.
• Check the wiring on your premises. Cluttered wiring, with lots of add-ons over the years for a security system, Sky TV, etc, slow down internet speeds. Consider getting a separate jack that leads from the copper phone line off the street directly to your office. Your ISP can do this for about $200.
• Business operators may wish to invest in upgrading their broadband package to VDSL (very-high-speed digital subscriber line), which is much faster than ADSL.
• Most ISPs will offer this for an extra $15/month, a sound investment which will make computer support services such as accounting software and video conferencing more efficient.