TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOOST FOR BARKER
Residents and visitors to the Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland areas in South Australia’s electorate of Barker will soon have better connectivity with four new mobile blackspot towers and new Fixed Wireless NBN technology funded through the Coalition Government’s Regional Connectivity Program.
Minister for Regional Communications, Bridget McKenzie, said the Barker projects form part of the Coalition Government’s continued roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
“More than $5 million will be invested to deploy four new Telstra macro mobile sites and the installation of NBN Co. Fixed Wireless to enable stable, high-speed transmission from remote areas,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Through Round 1 of the RCP, the Coalition Government funded more than 130 projects in regional, rural, and remote communities.
“These Round 2 projects will build upon the Government’s past investments including the 32 base stations funded under the Mobile Black Spot Program in Barker to date.
“I’m very pleased that residents and businesses in Barker will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this project will bring in terms of digital connectivity.
“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay safe and remain in contact with loved ones. The Coalition will continue to invest in this critical infrastructure as part of our plan for a strong economy and stronger future.
“Our Government has continued to take a collaborative approach with the telecommunications industry and regional and remote communities to make sure that the funded projects are tailored to the needs of each region and are supported by the community. This approach has resulted in an opportunity to create real change in the regions.
“By contrast, Labor has not funded a single mobile tower in regional Australia, in fact they recently announced that an Albanese led government will cut $155 million from the budget for regional communications.”
Member for Barker, Tony Pasin welcomed the announcement and said that providing better connectivity and increased data will have a clear benefit to the local region.
“Being connected digitally is no longer a luxury. It’s imperative for doing business and staying safe in our regions,” Mr Pasin said.
“Communities across Barker have been a direct beneficiary of Coalition Government investment through the Mobile Blackspot Program with improved mobile service delivered or rolling out to 32 locations across the electorate,” Mr Pasin said.
“The improved coverage under the Regional Connectivity Program in the Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Mallee will provide residents and businesses, especially our farmers across the area, with better digital communications to stay safe and prosperous making communities even better places to live, work and raise a family.” Mr Pasin said.
Regional Connectivity Program Round 2 Projects in Barker:
Lowan ($1,089,600)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site in Lowan, providing improved coverage to the farming areas surrounding the Lowan Conservation Park, Bowhill and Younghusband and sections of the Mallee Highway.
Short ($695,775)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site in Short (Wattle Range), providing improved handheld coverage to the area.
Parilla – ($830,925)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site in Parilla, providing improved handheld coverage to the area.
Greenways ($590,325)
The project will deploy a new Telstra macro mobile site in Greenways, providing improved handheld coverage to the area.
Lameroo and Pinnaroo NBN Fixed Wireless Technology ($2,426,927)
The project will upgrade the nbn service technology in the towns of Lameroo and Pinnaroo from nbn Sky Muster Satellite to nbn Fixed Wireless technology.
