The Woorabinda community in Queensland 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 the Woorabinda project is part of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s continuing roll-out of the successful $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
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, and the Round 2 projects – the first announced today – builds on the government’s past investment in the program.
“I’m very pleased that residents and visitors to Woorabinda will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this project will bring in terms of digital connectivity,” Minister McKenzie said.
“The Liberal and Nationals 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.
“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay healthy and remain in contact with loved ones. It is also imperative to manage, adapt to and recover from an increasing range of natural disasters. These projects will make a difference. The Liberals and Nationals will continue to invest in this critical infrastructure
“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 $155million from the budget for regional communications.”
LNP Candidate for Flynn, Colin Boyce said more than $1 million in Coalition Government funding would be invested in a new Telstra macro base station in the Woorabinda area under the Round Two of the Regional Connectivity Program, delivering better telecommunications services for the region.
“This is a welcome investment in our region, delivering new and improved coverage to residents and businesses of the town area and surrounding shire,” Mr Boyce said.
“This new tower will also mean that locals have more access to essential services such as telehealth and education services.”
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, the Hon David Littleproud MP, said the Coalition Government’s investment would improve access to the digital economy for regional communities and businesses in the vital strategic growth area of Northern Australia, including for remote First Nations communities.
“This dedicated investment in Northern Australia will provide targeted uplifts to connectivity for businesses and extend the economic and social benefits of high-speed, reliable broadband and mobile services to Australians living and working in remote places,” Minister Littleproud said.
“As part of the Connecting Northern Australia initiative, $27 million of dedicated funding was allocated to mobile connectivity projects following an exceptionally strong response, highlighting the importance – and our commitment – to delivering high quality telecommunications infrastructure and keeping communities connected.”
The Australian Government has invested approximately $257 million in the Program, committing $117 million under Round 1 to deliver more than 130 place-based telecommunications projects and $140 million for Round 2, including dedicated funding of $72 million through the Connecting Northern Australia initiative (CNA initiative) for mobile coverage and digital connectivity projects in Northern Australia.
The Liberals and Nationals Government’s track record of delivering in Flynn:
- Under the MBSP, 36 mobile base stations have been funded to be deployedin the Flynn electorate. To date, 33 base stations are complete and now on air.
- Under Stage 1 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP), 12 base stations (Avondale, Boondooma, Capricorn Highway, Deepwater, Dingo, Durong, Gordonbrook, Jobson Road, Maroondan, Mulgildie, Rannes and Winfield) have received funding under Stage 1 of the MNHP to receive at least 12 hours battery back-up power. The battery back-up at all 12 stations is now complete.
- An additional four resilience upgrades in the electorate of Flynn are receiving funding under Stage 2 of the MNHP. These comprise the installation of a permanent generator at an Optus site in Biggenden, the
deployment of portable generators at Telstra depots in Biloela and Emerald, and improvements to transmission redundancy at a cluster of TPG sites in the Rockhampton area. The rollout of these upgrades will commence shortly.
- Under Round 1 of the RCP, the Australian Government has committed over $4 million (GST inc) to deliver 4 projects in the electorate of Flynn.
- Three projects by Queensland Capacity Network Pty Ltd (QCN) will deploy fixed wireless networks to the towns of Bluff, Duaringa and Dingo in the Central Highlands of Queensland.
- The networks will extend high-speed broadband connectivity to the towns, benefitting local community facilities, small businesses and residents.
A project by Dreamtilt Pty Ltd will deploy a fixed wireless network at the new Benaraby Motorplex, providing high-speed broadband connectivity to the Motorplex and surrounding residential areas, helping the new complex to host events attracting large numbers of tourists to the region and providing increased access to internet services for local residents. These projects are due to be completed and offering services before the end of the year.
More information about the Program is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp
