Residents of the Busselton and Harvey regions in Western Australia will soon be better connected following a successful application for funding under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program.
Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said these projects form part of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s continued roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP), which is only possible because of our strong economic plan. Minister McKenzie said through Round 1 of the RCP, the Liberal and Nationals Government funded more than 130 projects in regional, rural and remote communities, including the Carbunup project in the electorate of Forrest and the Round 2 projects build on the Government’s past investment in the program.
“I’m very pleased that residents, businesses and visitors to the Busselton and Harvey regions will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that these projects will bring in terms of improved digital connectivity to support their community,” Minister McKenzie said. “More than $1.6 million in Liberal and Nationals Government funding will be invested to deploy ten new fixed wireless sites and upgrade two existing sites to improve broadband services in the Busselton and Harvey regions.
“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay healthy and remain in contact with loved ones. The Liberals and Nationals will continue to invest in this critical infrastructure as part of our plan for a strong economy and stronger future.”
“The Liberal and Nationals Government has continued to take a collaborative approach with the telecommunications industry, and our regional and remote communities, to make sure that the funded projects are tailored to the needs of each region.
“By contrast, Labor has not funded a single mobile tower in regional Australia, in fact they have recently announced an Albanese led government will cut $155 million from the budget for regional communications.”
Member for Forrest, the Hon Nola Marino MP welcomed the over $1.6 million in the Busselton and Harvey regions from Round Two of the Regional Connectivity Program.
“This is a very welcome investment in our region. These two projects will deliver improved fibre broadband and fixed wireless connectivity, so locals will have better access to essential services like telehealth and education together with on-line business capacity,” Ms Marino said.
Only the Morrison Joyce Government will continue to deliver a better future for Western Australia, and this is part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.
The Liberals and Nationals Government’s track record of delivering regional communications in Forrest: Mobile Blackspot Program Under the program, 13 additional base stations have been funded by the Liberals and Nationals Government to be deployed in Forrest, with funding of $2.8 million under the program to date in the electorate to deliver new and improved mobile coverage. In Forrest, the Liberal and Nationals funding has leveraged a total investment of $10.4 million, including co-contributions from the mobile carriers, state and local governments, and community organisations. Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND)
In the electorate of Forrest, seven base stations have received funding under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) to receive at least 12 hours back-up power.
Under the STAND package, the Liberal and Nationals 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 seven locations in Forrest where this will be installed.
More information about the Program is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp
