Impact of the NBN on Our Economy

Geografia completed two projects for Telstra, analysing the economic impact of the NBN in Greater Sydney and Greater Melbourne, the largest and second largest urban areas (by population) in Australia.

Focusing on the role of telecommuting, the projects used spatial analytics to assess how the NBN could influence house prices, reduce traffic congestion, and change the dynamics of urban living. By easing commuting pressures, the studies predicted a shift in spending patterns, with less money flowing into city centres and more being spent in local suburban areas. This shift suggested a potential revitalisation of suburban communities, with increased local spending helping to support small businesses. The analysis was framed around the concept of the NBN’s role in revitalising the suburban village.

Our findings showed that the NBN would not only make telecommuting more accessible, but also lead to tangible benefits for household budgets and urban infrastructure. In Melbourne alone, we found that around $4 billion in discretionary spending flowed from the suburbs into the city as a result of work commuting. With more work-from-home arrangements, much of that spending could be redirected to suburban areas, promoting local economic growth in suburban village centres. The insights gained from this project were used by Telstra to highlight the broader value of the NBN rollout, with a member of our team even making a TV appearance to talk about it.