Residents and visitors to Eyre Peninsula and Far North of South Australia’s will soon have better connectivity with four new mobile blackspot towers and a major upgrade at another funded through the Coalition Government’s Regional Connectivity Program.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey welcomed the announcement and said providing better connectivity and increased data provides a clear benefit to the local region.
“These projects are going to make a real difference for those living and working in Pekina, Ceduna Waters, Wirrulla, Gum Creek and bridge a communications on the highway near Oakden Hills. It will also benefit the many tourists, campers and other visitors to these areas.
“In Pekina, strong community advocacy and genuine concerns about lack of mobile reception have helped secure a Telstra macro tower and ensure mobile reception to the community and visitors.
“Ceduna Waters is another excellent announcement- a recent development with a number of new homes and families. Mobile phone reception is an integral part of communication and these residents can now look forward to a reliable service.
“Gum Creek near Burra, Wirrulla on Eyre Peninsula and Oakden Hills in the Far North of the State will all receive huge benefits with greatly improved mobile phone reception,” he said.
“Increasingly we rely on mobile service for everything from running an international business to picking the kids up off the school bus. Locals, businesses and tourists will all benefit from the improved service.”
Mr Ramsey said the Coalition understood regional Australia. “Many of us live there and it’s why we know the importance of mobile services. Worth noting is this new program sits along-side the Coalition’s Black-Spot Program which has delivered 51 towers in Grey already.”
Minister for Regional Communications, Bridget McKenzie, said the Grey projects form part of the Coalition Government’s continued roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
“More than $3 million will be invested to deploy the five new Telstra macro mobile sites as well as fibre backhaul to enable stable, high-speed transmission from remote areas,” she said.
“Through Round 1 of the RCP, the Coalition Government funded more than 130 projects in regional, rural, and remote communities, including five in the electorate of Grey.
“These Round 2 projects will build upon the Government’s past investment in the program, which have funded 51 Mobile Black Spot Program projects in Grey to date.
“The Coalition will continue to invest in this critical infrastructure as part of our plan for a strong economy and stronger future.
“Our Government has continued to take a collaborative approach with the telecommunications industry and regional and remote communities to make sure that the funded projects are tailored to the needs of each region and are supported by the community. This approach has resulted in an opportunity to create real change in the regions.”
More information about the Regional Connectivity Program is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp
Regional Connectivity Program Round 2 Projects in Grey:
Pekina ($868,200)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site, providing improved coverage to Pekina and the Orroroo and Carrieton Local Government Areas.
Ceduna Waters ($871, 650)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site, providing improved coverage to Ceduna South and the surrounding areas.
Wirrulla Hill ($1,178,700)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site in Mirrulla Hill, providing improved coverage to the area of Wirrulla as well as a stretch of the Eyre Highway.
Gum Creek ($748,200)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site, providing new and improved handheld coverage to the Gum Creek area.
Oakden Hills ($353,250)
The project will upgrade the Telstra macro mobile site to provide improved handheld coverage to the Oakden area.
Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND)
In the electorate of Grey, six base stations have received funding under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) to receive at least 12 hours back-up power, all of which are operational.
Under the STAND package, the Government is upgrading telecommunications connectivity at fire service depots and evacuation centres across Australia to support their essential work. This involves the installation of NBN Co. Sky Muster satellites at rural and country fire service depots and designated evacuation centres. There are three locations in Grey that received funding, all of which are currently operational.
Only the Coalition will continue to deliver for Grey as part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.
More information about the Regional Connectivity Program is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp
