Dodgy internet connections are holding back Bomen's development potential, according to frustrated business owners and customers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One of them is cattle buyer Keith Chambers, who is furious at Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre's lack of livestreams for its cattle auctions.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Chambers was told it was due to a lack of reliable NBN connectivity in Bomen, which he describes as "total bull".
He said he bid on cows all around regional Australia, and that it was ridiculous that he could not do so in the biggest inland city in NSW.
"They need to get up with the times, where you can buy online at stock sales all over the country," Mr Chambers said.
"You can get it Forbes, Dubbo, Inverell, Tamworth, Victoria, Ballarat. The other selling centres have had it since before COVID, so they can't use that excuse."
Southern Oil managing director Tim Rose said their internet had "sucked" for many years until they managed to secure a direct connection to the node.
However he said his business was one of the "lucky last" to be connected, with many other Bomen businesses still waiting in limbo due to a lack of infrastructure.
"There are other saleyards on this other older dodgy connection, so clearly there's a need for more nodes or direct lines because it was very frustrating to be on," Mr Rose said.
"No modern business operates without internet and being able to livestream, especially during COVID when people aren't travelling as much so there's a lot more videoconferencing going on."
Communications minister Paul Fletcher visited Wagga late last year, promising "premium-grade" internet to areas such as Bomen through "business fibre zones".
He said it would be progressively rolled out over the next decade, with Wagga due to become "a leading digital economy by 2030".
Mr Rose said the NBN expansion needed to be done sooner rather than later if Bomen was to accommodate new businesses into its special activation precinct.
"Clearly it needs to be something sorted and sorted quickly before you bring a whole new suite of businesses into the area," he said.
Riverina Livestock Agent James Tierney said the internet was currently "pretty ordinary" out in Bomen, and that more livestreamed auctions would be a boon for the industry.
He said it could translate to more buyers and better sales, especially as other industries are turning to livestreaming services in lockdown.
"It's where technology's taking us, particularly since COVID," Mr Tierney said.
"It'd certainly be an asset if we did have it. Any increase in sales would be good."
The livestock market centre is run by Wagga City Council, which says it is considering the possibility of online cattle sales and auctions in the future.
"Online sales are not currently part of the Livestock Marketing Centre's core business but the concept has been raised with management and its working group which continues to look at future opportunities in consultation with industry representatives," a council spokesman said.