Council Welcomes New Base Stations to Combat Mobile Black Spots
Published on 28 April 2020
Snowy Valleys Council’s Mayor James Hayes has welcomed the recent announcement that the Federal Government is delivering a further 182 base stations across the country.
“Council is very supportive of the recent announcement and looks forward to the delivery of new base stations in Jingellic, Lankeys Creek, Rosewood, Brindabella and Yarrangobilly Caves that will help to further improve connectivity across the Snowy Valleys region,” said Clr Hayes.
Council has been advocating for better mobile coverage across the region's more remote areas for many years and Clr Hayes said the black spot issues became even more apparent during the recent bushfire disaster.
“Connectivity is key to ensuring good communications especially during disasters and we need resilient infrastructure to ensure people can stay connected no matter where they live and what the circumstances,” he said.
While fixing black spots was a key point raised as part of Council’s response to the Bushfire Royal Commission, Clr Hayes says good connectivity is also important for local farmers, producers and small businesses.
“People shouldn’t have to move to the cities to be able to use their phones and easily get on-line to run their businesses domestically and internationally,” he said.
“And with some people more reluctant to visit places with limited phone service, these new base stations will also help to ensure better coverage and safety in emergency situations including roadside breakdowns.
“I look forward to the stations being activated and our local communities being able to access better mobile coverage allowing them to keep connected with friends and family while still enjoying everything a country lifestyle has to offer”.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, the Hon Mark Coulton MP announced last Monday that 182 new base stations would be delivered under Round 5 of the Government’s $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program., providing improved mobile coverage for regional and remote communities.
Round 5 base stations are scheduled to roll out in the coming months with the first new base stations expected to be activated by the end of the year.
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