Federal funds to strengthen communications at Double Island Point

A new UHF repeater will help keep Double Island Point locals and visitors in touch with vital services and improve communication on the popular stretch of beach, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announced today.

“New cablings, antennas and a repeater will be installed, and old solar panels will be replaced, with assistance from a $15,000 Stronger Communities Programme grant to the Double Island Point UHF Committee,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This provides a much-needed communication channel in the Double Island Point area, so people can still access weather updates, beach conditions, tidal alerts and emergency information even if they are in an area where their mobile telephone does not receive reception.

“This is particularly important during emergency situations whether they are natural disasters like bushfires, accidents with boats off the shore, or four-wheel drives that use the beach, as it will allow contact with emergency services and first responders.”

Mr O’Brien commended Double Island Point UHF Committee president Benjamin Bulat for his hard work and dedication in improving safety for the Cooloola Coast community.

“The Double Island Point UHF Committee has raised several thousand dollars from local community members and businesses to purchase the necessary equipment, and I am delighted to support their work with this federal funding through the Stronger Communities Programme,” he said.

“This is a project that I have strongly supported, I have met with the community about this issue, and I have also discussed the matter with State Member for Gympie Tony Perrett, and we will work together for improved communications and improved public safety in our coastal communities.”

The Stronger Communities Programme Round 6 provided up to $150,000 for each of the 151 federal electorates in Australia, with grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 available for eligible organisations including incorporated not-for-profit community service and sporting groups and councils.

“There is always strong interest in the Stronger Communities Programme grants, and competition is keen, so I encourage organisations interested in bringing forward SCP project proposals in future rounds to contact my electorate office on telephone 4121 2936, or the Sunshine Coast, or Wide Bay Burnett Regional Development Australia Committees through the website www.rda.gov.au,” Mr O’Brien said.

Previous rounds of the SCP delivered funding to a range of organisations in Wide Bay, assisting with new audiovisual technology for Gympie Chamber of Commerce; security cameras for Tin Can Bay Fishing Club, solar panels for Tin Can Bay RSL & Citizens’ Memorial Hall; and more.