Coalition delivers new mobile coverage to Noosa, South Burnett and Fraser Coast communities

1/12/2016

Coalition delivers new mobile coverage to Noosa, South Burnett and Fraser Coast communities

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today said local communities will benefit from eight new mobile base stations to improve mobile coverage under round 2 of the Liberal Nationals Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

“The Coalition Government supporting the installation of new mobile phone base stations by Telstra or Optus that will be located at the following sites: Boreen Point, Boreen Point West, Cinnabar, Maaroom, Pomona Kin Kin Road, Tansey, Windera and Yerra,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The extension of the mobile phone network to these areas will improve communications and assist locals, emergency services and visitors to our region.

“New mobile phone coverage is essential in regional areas like Wide Bay and I’m pleased to confirm the Coalition Government is supporting the rollout of the mobile network in Fraser Coast, South Burnett and Noosa communities.

“The delivery of better communications helps to build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and mobile phone coverage is a big part of improving the amenity of regional areas.”

Round 2 of the Coalition’s Mobile Black Spots Program will deliver new or upgraded coverage to 6500 homes and business across 17,500 square kilometres via 266 new or upgraded towers. This includes 1,900 kilometres of major transport routes.

During its time in office, Labor did not help build a single mobile phone tower nor invest a single cent in mobile coverage during its six years of Government. 

In contrast, rounds 1 and 2 of the Coalition’s Program will deliver new coverage to 32,000 homes and businesses across 86,000 square kilometres including 7,600 of major transport routes via 765 new mobile phone towers.

Including co-contributions from carriers and state governments, round 2 represents a total new investment of $213 million towards improved mobile coverage.

The locations for round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Program were selected following an appeal to the public to nominate black spots.

These locations were entered into the national map which was provided to mobile network providers to assist them to develop funding applications. These were assessed against the program guidelines by the Department of Communications and the Minister accepted the Department’s recommendations without change.

“The new base stations in Wide Bay were identified by people in the community who nominated black spot locations,” Mr O’Brien said.

The locations of all of the 266 base stations can be found on the national map at www.nationalmap.gov.au.

More information about the Coalition Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program can be found at www.communications.gov.au/mbsp.