Abstract: This research relates to the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in learning in and out of schools. The research centers on a new community on Australia's Gold Coast that is at a critical stage of development. Many households, schools and businesses are already in place and more development is occurring rapidly, including with a high capacity local and internet portal for use by schools and the community generally. The research is based on ulturalhistorical activity theory (CHAT) as a way of understanding the mediating role of ICTs on learning. It is concluded that the introduction of a high end ICT portal to a community can lead to educational advancement but can also raise new tensions.