ACTING MAYOR for the Cobar Shire Jarrod Marsden has welcomed the announcement that improving digital connectivity along the Cobar corridor remains a state government priority.

Earlier this week, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole announced the government had planned to expand the reach of its $100 million Gig State project by redirecting investment in locations with no planned service upgrades which haven't already received funding through other sources.

Mr Toole said it was great the federal government and private sector was already delivering improved internet service in some of Gig State’s original locations, but the job was not done yet.

“All regional communities deserve the same fast and reliable internet service as those in the city and we will continue to take a leadership role, pivoting our investment to where it’s needed most,” Mr Toole said.

The refreshed project will also trial a range of emerging technologies, such as low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to assess the best options in communities in hard to service areas.

When it was originally announced, one of the planned priorities for Gig State was upgrading internet connectivity along the Cobar corridor, which includes Western Plains communities such as Narromine, Trangie, Nyngan and Cobar.

Mr Toole said these initial proposed locations would still be a part of Gig State although the government would also be opening an open market process in mid-2022 inviting telecommunications providers to submit additional options to improve internet service across a number of priority locations.

“We are committed to delivering viable, long-term solutions that meet the needs of communities now and into the future, and will continue to work with government and industry stakeholders to address the digital connectivity divide,” Mr Toole said.

One person pleased to hear the Cobar corridor upgrade was still in play is Acting Mayor of Cobar Shire Council Jarrod Marsden who said internet connectivity was crucial for rural businesses to operate today.

ABOVE: Acting Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden said the confirmation that digital connectivity upgrades to the Cobar corridor were still on the table was welcome news. Image courtesy of Cobar Shire Council.

"In far west NSW, geographical distance is a big challenge to the people in this region - by having greater connectivity to the rest of the world, regional businesses can do so much better," Mr Marsden said.

While he acknowledged internet coverage for the Cobar community had come in leaps and bounds in the last 20 years - before which he described as "like the dark ages" - Mr Marsden said it was still quite unreliable at the best of times.

"Patchy is a word I'd use - it all depends on where you are, what provider you're with, and how you're holding your tongue in your mouth," he said with a chuckle.

"Any improvement to the network would be most welcome, however something I hope improves is the general access to networks in areas away from the towns and villages.

"We have a lot of mining exploration and farming activity in this region and those businesses need connectivity to the rest of the world."