Tony Piccolo MP, Dermot Cussen, and the Exec Officer of The Gawler Business Development Group, Ms Caren Brougham.

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The Stretton Centre Gig City network connection was officially launched this morning, at a special ceremony by the Member for Light, Mr Tony Piccolo.

Mr Piccolo said he was pleased to be able to represent the Premier to celebrate the connection of the Gig City network, which is linking inNovation precincts across Adelaide with ultra-fast broadband speeds at an affordable price.

“Its availability will enable the development of leading-edge, data-intensive and real-time applications in industry sectors such as biotech, advanced manufacturing and film post-production,” Mr Piccolo said.

“This will help drive economic development opportunities and job creation.

“It will help the Northern Adelaide Region, and indeed South Australia to compete in the rapidly evolving inNovation economy,” he said.

Since the launch of the program only five months ago, more than 100 businesses have signed up to Gig City, demonstrating the high demand for affordable ultra-fast internet connectivity in Adelaide.

The Stretton Centre, with its 31 businesses co-working under the one roof, is a focal point for job creation in northern Adelaide.

Mr Piccolo said that among other things, the Stretton Centre is providing a place for start-ups and entrepreneurs to link with local research organisations and industries.

“I’m told the Stretton Centre is a very enthusiastic user of the service, being one of the precincts with the highest level of data downloaded and uploaded,” Mr Piccolo said.

“This suggests that businesses at the Stretton Centre are making the most of their internet connectivity.

“The Centre and its tenants are capitalising on work that continues through initiatives such as the Northern Economic Plan, Invest Northern Adelaide and Northern Connections,” he said. SabreNet a leading inNovator in digital communication provided the backbone infrastructure for the connection.

The South Australian Government has invested $7.6 million over five years in Gig City.