Decision details

Moved by Councillor Chung, seconded by Councillor Kok –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          WiFi and the flexible access it enables to the internet has become an integral part of the way people conduct business, connect with each other and stay informed;

(ii)         major cities around the world such as Hong Kong, New York, Moscow and Tel Aviv offer free WiFi for visitors, residents and businesses to use;

(iii)        Inner West, Waverley and Woollahra councils have all introduced free WiFi in key precincts;

(iv)       the City of Sydney is in the process of negotiating free WiFi across the CBD; and

(v)         Councillors were informed via CEO Update of 11 December 2020 that:

(a)        the City recommenced negotiations for the supply of free public WiFi within the Local Government Area in mid-2020;

(b)        this follows a decision to consider provision of WiFi services after finalising the Street Furniture and Out-Of-Home Media services contract;

(c)         the street furniture, Out-of-Home Media contract was awarded in June 2020;

(d)        the City is currently in negotiations with two shortlisted companies for the supply of free public WiFi within the Local Government Area;

(e)        since mid-2020 the City has held further meetings and received updated information on previous proposals from both companies;

(f)          a Best and Final Offer is expected to take place in early 2021; and

(g)        the outcome of the negotiations is expected to be submitted in mid-2021 for Council’s consideration after final assessment of the offers and negotiations are concluded.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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