Refereed papers from the 4th International Information Technology in Regional areas Conference, Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia, 27-29 August 2002

The annual International Conference on IT in Regional Areas (ITiRA) explores strategies that link ICT enhanced economic, social and cultural development efforts with emerging opportunities in such areas as electronic commerce, community and civic networks, telecentres, electronic democracy, on-line participation, self-help and virtual health communities, advocacy, cultural enhancement and others. The ITiRA Conferences are of interest to practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in both developed and developing countries, and seek to share ideas across practice, research and policy.