COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE AT TEEWAH BEACH

A future LNP Government will commit funding to improve mobile phone coverage at Teewah Beach, to ensure that residents and visitors are able to contact emergency services in times of accident or disaster.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has secured a $1.5 million commitment from an elected LNP Government to address the serious safety issues caused by the telecommunications black spot at Teewah Beach.

“Each year around 200,000 people visit Teewah Beach, an unpatrolled stretch of coastline north of Noosa that is popular for recreational 4WDing, camping, and fishing,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There have been several deaths and serious injuries at Teewah from vehicle roll overs, crashes on the beach, and drowning incidents. These tragedies have unfortunately been aggravated by the difficulty in contacting emergency services due to the lack of mobile phone service in the area.”

“The issue of mobile phone coverage at Teewah Beach has been raised with my office by residents, visitors, and local emergency services. I have nominated Teewah Beach on the Telecommunications Mobile Black Spot Register, but the project hasn’t been picked up by a telecommunications provider.”

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh MP said the announcement will address connectivity issues for the Teewah community who have been calling for better mobile coverage.

“Digital connectivity is now an essential part of how we work, learn, stay safe and remain in contact with family and friends,” said Mrs McIntosh.

“The Coalition will continue to invest in telecommunications infrastructure as part of our plan to strengthen local communities and to get Australia back on track.”

“Unfortunately, the Albanese Government has no interest in improving telecommunications in regional, rural and remote Australia demonstrated by their sparse funding commitments and botched closure of the 3G network”.

“I worked with the former Coalition Government to extend mobile communications to 19 black spot areas in Wide Bay, but over the last three years the Albanese Labor Government has failed to fix any black spots in our electorate.”

“An LNP Government will work with the telcos and with the Teewah community to deliver mobile phone coverage that will enhance safety, improve emergency services response capability, and potentially save lives at Teewah Beach,” Mr O’Brien said.