Residents across regional, rural and remote Queensland will soon be better connected following successful applications for funding improved mobile coverage and broadband services under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program.
Minister for Regional Communications, Bridget McKenzie said the projects form part of the Coalition Government’s continuing roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
The $43.5 million in Coalition Government funding will be invested across Capricornia, Flynn, Kennedy, Leichhardt, Maranoa, and Wide Bay to deploy a combined eight new mobile sites, five fixed wireless networks, upgrades to three existing mobile base stations, and upgrading the nbn™ service technology in several locations from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.
Through Round 1 of the RCP, the Coalition Government funded more than 130 projects in regional, rural, and remote communities, while these Round 2 projects will now build upon the Government’s past investment in the Program.
“These Round 2 projects will build upon the Government’s past investment in the Mobile Blackspot Program, which has funded 258 Mobile Black Spot Program projects in Capricornia, Flynn, Kennedy, Leichhardt, Maranoa, and Wide Bay to date,” Minister McKenzie said.
“I’m very pleased that residents and businesses across Queensland will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this project will bring in terms of digital connectivity.
“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay safe and remain in contact with loved ones. 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.
“By contrast, Labor has not funded a single mobile tower in regional Australia, in fact they recently announced that an Albanese led government will cut $155 million from the budget for regional communications.”
Regional Connectivity Program Round 2 Projects in Queensland:
Mackay – Capricornia ($5,415,390)
The project will deploy a fixed wireless network and corresponding fibre backhaul in the Mackay area, including Finch Hatton, Pinnacle, Gargett, Eungella and the surrounding areas of Marian and Mirani.
Pasha – Capricornia ($935,750)
The project will upgrade one Telstra macro cell mobile station at Pasha to provide improved handheld coverage to the Pasha area and bordering highway.
Livingstone – Capricornia ($1,306,400)
The project will deploy a fixed wireless network providing broadband coverage to the Livingstone agricultural precinct and neighbouring areas. The network will extend mobile and broadband connectivity and voice over LTE in the area.
Woorabinda – Flynn ($1,060,250)
The project will deploy one new Telstra macro base station in the Aboriginal community of Woorabinda, delivering new and improved coverage to the area.
Doomadgee – Kennedy ($957,200)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro cell base station to provide new coverage to the Aboriginal township of Doomadgee.
Richmond Croydon Road – Kennedy ($459,600)
The project will deploy a high-speed fixed wireless broadband network, backhaul, public Wi-Fi and free LoRaWAN network to 40,000km2 of Far North Western Queensland. The project will improve connectivity in the area between Richmond and the town of Croydon and surrounding area.
Gulf Development Road – Kennedy ($1,000,800)
The project will deploy a high-speed fixed wireless broadband network, backhaul, public Wi-Fi and free LoRaWAN network to 40,000km2 of Far Northern Western Queensland. The project will improve the connectivity in the area from Normanton to Georgetown and the Gilbert River Agricultural Precinct.
Burketown and Normanton – Kennedy ($7,404,450)
The project will deploy 226 km of fibre optic cable between Burketown and Normanton, North-West Queensland, and supporting infrastructure to complete a fibre loop encircling North-West Queensland. This will create additional network redundancy for 66 per cent of Queensland and additional network resiliency for 780,000 Queenslanders across 15 Local Government Areas.
Ravenswood – Kennedy ($904,700)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site, providing improved handheld coverage to the Ravenswood township.
Forrest Beach – Kennedy ($785,350)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro cell mobile site, providing new and improved handheld coverage to Forrest Beach, the township, Allingham and the wider surrounding area.
Julia Creek – Kennedy ($4,183,082)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Julia Creek from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises.
Boulia – Kennedy ($2,959,562)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Boulia from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises.
Mareeba – Kennedy ($1,846,393)
The project is an extension of a Round 1 RCP project and will deploy a fixed wireless network across the Mareeba local government area.
Lockhart River – Leichhardt ($1,679,350)
The project will upgrade the Telstra macro cell base station and transmission infrastructure in the remote Aboriginal community of Lockhart River, providing improved mobile coverage to the area.
Seisia, New Mapoon – Leichhardt ($1,095,300)
The project will deploy one new Telstra macro cell base station at Seisia and will provide new coverage in Seisia, New Mapoon and surrounding area.
Cooktown – Leichhardt ($772,400)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro cell mobile site, providing improved handheld coverage to the Cooktown township, including the Cooktown Airport.
Cunnamulla – Maranoa ($3,735,411)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Cunnamulla from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.
Bollon – Maranoa ($615,000)
The project will upgrade the Telstra macro cell mobile site, providing improved handheld coverage to the Bollon area.
Quilpie – Maranoa ($4,755,957)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Quilpie from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.
Cherbourg – Wide Bay ($920,025)
This project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site, providing new and improved handheld coverage to the Cherbourg township and the surrounding area.
Inskip Point – Wide Bay ($794,875)
The project will deploy a new Telstra small cell mobile site providing coverage to Inskip Point and the southern coastline of Fraser Island.
Mobile Blackspot Program
We have funded 252 new base stations in Queensland under the Mobile Black Spot Program to date, with 207 of these projects already completed.
Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND)
In Queensland 77 base stations have received funding under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) to receive at least 12 hours back-up power, all which are operational, and with a further 65 projects committed under Stage 2.
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 74 locations across Queensland that received funding, 38 of which are currently operational.
Only the Coalition will continue to deliver for Queensland 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
