Shire president Maree Reid and council officer Katie Dennison test the free public WiFi
Camera IconShire president Maree Reid and council officer Katie Dennison test the free public WiFi Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Public gets free wifi at Murray River foreshore

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

VISITORS to popular attractions along the Murray River foreshore, including the Town Square, Cantwell Park and the Edenvale homestead, now have access to free public WiFi.

Shire president Maree Reid said networks were more and more in demand due to public reliance on having information available at their fingertips.

“Accessibility is especially important as any social and essential services, including most banking systems, have transferred their customer service programs online,’’ she ehe said.

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“A public WiFi increases youth engagement and economic activity and encourages visitors to spend more time in an area that is of significant importance to Pinjarra as it becomes a destination rather than a drive through town.”

A recent industry survey of more than 2500 WiFi users revealed 72 per cent of respondents used public WiFi and tended to remain longer in areas where it was offered, with two-thirds likely to spend more money.

The main purpose for logging on was to check emails, connect to social networks and for general browsing.

Cr Reid said the service would 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.

She said the project was intrinsically linked with the Pinjarra Foreshore redevelopment which includes an amphitheatre and activated town square.

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