A new mobile phone base station will be built to improve coverage along the Hyland Highway between Carrajung Lower and Woodside North.
The macro base station has been announced today by Minister for Regional Communications Senator Bridget McKenzie and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
It will be funded under the new Mobile Phone Black Spots Priority round as a joint project between the Federal Government and Telstra.
Mr Chester said the new base station announced today would complement recently completed mobile phone upgrades at Mack’s Creek, Carrajung Lower and Gormandale, which have improved coverage along the Hyland highway.
“Mobile phone coverage is critically important in emergency situations, like a car crash or natural disaster such as a bush fire,” Mr Chester said. “In those situations, phone coverage can save lives.
“Upgraded mobile phone towers not only improve road safety, they make destinations more attractive to visitors and enhance community connectedness.
“Good communication infrastructure also supports local jobs and helps businesses to grow and invest in our region and our people.”
Mr Chester said 11 mobile phone base stations had already been built or upgraded in the electorate of Gippsland under past rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program at Austin’s Hill, Benambra, Bonang, Buchan South, Butcher’s Ridge, Carrajung Lower, Gormandale, Sarsfield, Tongio, Dargo and Mack’s Creek. A base station at Glen Valley is not yet completed.
In the electorate of McMillan, a new base station has today been announced to improve coverage in the historic tourist town of Walhalla.
Minister McKenzie said the Federal Government has committed $220 million to improve mobile black spots across the country.
“Only the Coalition understands the importance of modern telecommunications for our regional communities, and has implemented a plan to deliver. I’m excited to reach this next milestone of the Mobile Black Spot Program and look forward to seeing the first base stations under this round completed later this year.”
Visit communications.gov.au/mbsp for more information and a list of the priority locations.
