It’s not just a mining boom going on in WA.
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WA’s capital city Perth has just nabbed the title of Google’s top eTown beating eastern states as the centre of the digital boom.
The digital economy is already worth as much as Australia’s iron ore exports, according to Deloitte Access Economics, and is forecast to grow by $20 billion to $70 bn by 2016.
Perth leads the list of Australia’s top 10 eTowns (metro), Google announced today, and City of Yarra, Victoria and Adelaide, SA came in at number two and three.
North Sydney and Ryde, NSW also made the top 5.
This new Google award recognises communities outpacing the rest of the country in having its small businesses use the web to connect with customers and grow.
The web is transforming all businesses in Australia, not just those typically considered to be “Internet businesses,” say the search giants.
To provide a snapshot of this vital economic activity, Google looked at more than 600 local government areas to analyse which communities are contributing the most to the digital economy.
Google’s eTown (Regional)
1. Byron Shire, NSW
2. Meander Valley, TAS
3. Cessnock, NSW
4. Wingecarribee Shire, NSW
5. Scenic Rim Regional Council, QL
“The eTown Award winners show that anyone anywhere can reap the benefits of the digital economy,” said Claire Hatton, Google Australia Head of Local Business.
“These days being on the web is as important as having a phone. Australians expect to be able to seek out products and services online, and local businesses need to be found to compete.
“Perth may be known for its mining boom but this award shows that our businesses are actively grabbing hold of the digital boom,”
Perth’s Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said “the City of Perth is proud of its eTown Award and I am delighted to represent an area whose businesses are so connected with both their local community and the entire world thanks to the web.”
