Visitors to popular attractions along the Murray River Foreshore including the Town Square, Cantwell Park and Edenvale Homestead now have access to free public Wi-Fi.
Public Wi-Fi networks are more and more in demand due to the public’s reliance on information available at their fingertips, according to Shire president Maree Reid.
“Accessibility is especially important as many social and essential services including most banking systems, have transferred their customer service programs online,” she said.
“Furthermore a public Wi-Fi service increases youth engagement and economic activity and encourages visitors to spend more time in an area, which is of significant importance for Pinjarra as it becomes a destination as opposed to a drive-through town.”
A recent industry survey of over 2500 Wi-Fi users revealed that 72 per cent of the respondents used public Wi-Fi and tended to remain longer in areas where it is offered, with two thirds of the 72 per cent likely to spend more money as well.
The main purpose for logging on was to check emails, connect to social network sites and for general browsing.
“The service will allow users to connect to the internet to surf the web, encourage the use of local services and enable greater connectivity between the Shire and the community,” Ms Reid said.
The project is intrinsically linked with the Pinjarra Foreshore redevelopment which proposes an outdoor amphitheatre and activated town square.
The project was made possible by the Peel Development Commission through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Community Chest Fund.