Long-awaited relief for slow internet speeds is on the horizon for Balranald residents as NBN Co prepares to kick off a major fibre upgrade program across the township.

In Short

The Timeline: Construction begins Monday, 19 January, and is slated for completion by 30 June 2026.

The Technology: Crews will use "lawn-friendly" directional drilling to install FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), minimizing property disruption.

The Benefit: Eligible residents can expect a massive speed boost, with some plans jumping from 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps+.

Starting tomorrow, Monday, 19 January, contractors will begin civil construction works to transition the local network to full fibre.

The project, which is expected to run until approximately 30 June 2026, aims to provide more reliable and significantly faster broadband for homes and businesses.

Beating the Heat

Local crews are planning to make the most of the cooler morning hours to combat the summer sun. Residents may notice NBN teams onsite as early as 6am for setup, though the use of heavy machinery—including directional drills, excavators, and Vac trucks—will be kept to a minimum until after 7:00 am.

NBN Co has indicated that the majority of the work will involve directional drilling. This method is designed to be "lawn-friendly," allowing teams to install the new infrastructure underground while avoiding the need to dig up front yards.

What to Expect in Your Street

As the rollout moves through Balranald, contractors will also be upgrading and installing new Telstra/NBN pits. This process will include the safe removal of existing asbestos from older pits to make way for the modern upgrades.

While the works are underway, the community is asked to remain alert. Field Supervisor Adrian Saboisky has urged residents to exercise caution when driving or walking near work zones and to be mindful of contractors working in the street.

Is Your Home Ready?

Once the physical infrastructure is in place, many Balranald residents will have the opportunity to upgrade to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).

Depending on your current connection, this could mean an increase in typical speeds - with some qualifying plans jumping from 100 Mbps to as much as 500 Mbps or more.

NBN Co says shift to full fibre is expected to support:

• Smoother Streaming: High-quality video with less buffering.

• Better Working from Home: More reliable cloud access and fewer drop-outs during video calls.

• Multi-Device Households: Stable speeds even when everyone is online at once.

For those with specific questions regarding the construction near their property, NBN Field Supervisor Adrian Saboisky can be reached on 0409 948 867.