Crews will be on the ground, checking pits and pipes, laying the fibre backbone to the network and installing node cabinets throughout the area, with people expected to be able to make the switch in the first half of 2018.

Up to 500 residents and businesses in parts of Stawell are already able to connect to the nbn™ network, using fixed wireless technology.

Premises in the region are also eligible to connect to the nbn through the Sky Muster™ satellite service, available to regional communities since April last year.

NBN™ local Victoria and Tasmania head Ebony Aitken said it was “terrific news” for Stawell as it meant the town would be completely connected to the nbn access network once construction finished. 

“By the middle of next year, many local residents and businesses in Stawell will have access to fast broadband – something that has been desperately needed in regional and rural Australia for many years,” she said.  

“Currently more than 6.2 million homes and business in Australia, and 1.4 million in Victoria are able to connect to the nbn access network.

“Bridging Australia’s digital divide is vital for regional areas like Stawell with the NBN access network helping to enable residents and businesses to be more productive, more creative, more efficient and more connected for decades to come.”

But a recent international poll ranked Australia last out of 28 countries when it came to broadband satisfaction.

Just 32 per cent rated the quality of Australia's broadband fairly or very good which was down six percentage points compared with a year ago, and much lower than the international average of 56 per cent.

Stawell residents Peter Cannon and Chris Waack both said their broadband networks had not lived up to expectation.

Mr Cannon uses the OVO Mobile service and said it was currently functioning like a dial-up speed. 

“It has been pretty terrible,” he said. 

“I have been looking at starting a creative online television channel, but I am struggling to do it here because of how poor broadband in this area is.

“Regular broadband is not consistent around here, so I have my doubts about the newer services – I am now looking at moving – and I can only imagine the other businesses and residents that would also be affected.”

Mr Waack has been using the nbn satellite service for almost two years and said while he had noticed an improvement, it still did not meet his expectations. 

“The way it was marketed I was expecting the service to be lightening fast, but it isn’t,” he said. 

“Otherwise it is a much better service than previous.”  

Due to the civil works required in the construction of the nbn access network, Stawell residents and businesses may experience some disruptions.