As Geraldton Wraps Up NBN Rollout, Northampton Celebrates Arrival of Electricity

In an emotional fortnight for Mid West infrastructure, Geraldton locals are cautiously celebrating the official end of the NBN rollout—eleven years behind schedule—while just up the road, the town of Northampton is buzzing after finally receiving electricity, with both locals now united in one thing: having paid for something they definitely don’t understand.

Geraldton's rollout, originally scheduled for completion in 2014, was quietly finalised this week after NBN Co sent out a generic text message reading:

"We’re just tidying up a few things. Shouldn’t be too much longer before you get worse internet than before at double the price. Cheers, NBN Co."

The announcement was met with mixed reactions, mostly confusion, as many residents believed the rollout had been completed years ago and had simply chosen not to speak of it again out of trauma. "I thought the NBN was something we survived - like COVID-19, not something that could still finish," said one Mount Tarcoola resident while rebooting his modem for the sixth time that morning.

Meanwhile, the town of Northampton—some 50km north and three centuries behind—has been ecstatic after officially receiving electricity this week, closing the loop on what Western Power called “a historical paperwork hiccup" after missing the initial rollout during the summer of 1920.”

One Northampton resident reportedly wrote a handwritten letter to NBN Co after discovering that, despite free modems being distributed in town during the last federal election by Melissa Price MP, they remained stubbornly unlit. "I was plugging it into the lemon tree, mate," he said. "Didn’t realise power wasn’t just a city thing."

To their credit, NBN Co responded quickly—possibly the fastest reaction in their operational history—by confirming they’d partner with Western Power to install electricity, stating in a press release: "As our modems ain’t much good without power, we figured we’d help out."

Celebrations in Northampton were modest but heartfelt. “This is a proud day,” said Mayor Sheryl Flanagan. “Now our community can fully enjoy all the benefits of intermittent, overpriced broadband, just like our neighbours in Geraldton.”

When mocked by Geraldton locals, one Northamptonite fired back confidently: “Our water’s still better. Sure, it’s pumped directly out of a collapsed lead mine—but at least it doesnt taste like roadbase.”

Geraldton residents were unavailable for comment, mostly because they were offline again.

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