NBN Co’s contractor, Transfield Services, yesterday installed fibre optic cable in Bacchus Marsh, marking another step in the widespread rollout of the NBN in Victoria.

NBN Co spokesman Trent Williams said regional Victoria had been put at the forefront of the rollout.

Many communities on the outskirts of Ballarat are already connected to the NBN through its fixed wireless service, and Ballarat could expect a fibre haul shortly.

“We’re hoping to get the first fibre hauls in Ballarat in the next couple of months,” Mr Williams said.

“We hope the first areas of Ballarat will be ready for connection in the middle of the year and through the latter half of 2013 more areas will be able to connect.”

Creswick’s fibre rollout is estimated for completion in 2014.

Mr Williams said construction work had already begun on rolling out the NBN to 91,000 homes and businesses in Victoria, including 6700 properties in parts of Bacchus Marsh.

“Construction is set to have commenced or be completed for around 691,000 homes and businesses across Victoria by mid-2015,” he said.

“We plan to connect every home, school and workplace in Australia to the NBN within the next decade with a combination of fibre, fixed wireless and satellite technologies.

“The NBN is being designed to transform the way Australians communicate and keep in touch with each other, how they access education and health services, leverage e-business opportunities and immerse themselves in culture from around the world.”

Rolling out the first fibre yesterday, Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King said Bacchus Marsh residents would be among the first Australians to access the NBN’s super-fast broadband, bringing benefits for education, healthcare, and local businesses. 

“The ability to send and receive big files almost instantly means businesses that previously had to base themselves in capital cities can set up anywhere, creating opportunities and jobs for the people in Bacchus Marsh and the surrounding areas,”she said.

rachel.afflick@fairfaxmedia.com.au