Mobile phone coverage in the Wagin electorate will be improved, thanks to a further $20 million investment over two years made possible by Royalties for Regions.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA said the funding would support the site lists released on Thursday by the Commonwealth Government, which outlined 78 new mobile base stations and small cell satellite installations to be constructed by Telstra and Optus across WA.
While Telstra is providing wide area coverage, Optus’ small cell satellite solution is an innovative means of providing mobile phone coverage up to a three kilometre radius for communities and tourist hotspots in remote parts of the State, where wide area coverage is unaffordable.
“The new sites will be delivered under Round 2 of the Commonwealth’s Mobile Black Spot Program further improving mobile phone coverage in regional WA,” Mr Waldron said.
“The Wagin electorate will benefit from 11 of the 78 announced on Thursday, which will provide development opportunities for small businesses in remote areas and support other Royalties for Regions initiatives in the areas of tourism, transport and agriculture.”
The local sites include –
-
Albany-Lake Grace Road (Shire of Kent)
-
Cheviot Hills Road (Shire of Katanning)
-
Martinup Road (Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup)
-
Needilup (Shire of Jerramungup)
-
Shamrock Road (Shire of Cranbrook)
-
Tone Road (Shire of Kojonup)
-
West Tambellup (Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup)
-
Yeriminup Road (Shire of Cranbrook)
-
Holt Rock (Shire of Kulin)
-
Piesseville (Shire of Wagin)
-
Tincurrin (Shire of Wickepin)
Mr Waldron said: “The State Government has invested more than $105 million in regional telecommunications since 2012, driving the construction of 344 new or upgraded mobile phone towers and small cell satellite installations in regional WA.”
“This project is a result of successful collaboration with the Commonwealth and industry, which will support other Royalties for Regions initiatives and narrow the digital divide by eliminating mobile black spots at prioritised locations, including those in the Wagin electorate.”
Nationals WA Candidate for Roe Peter Rundle said RTP was an important project that would ensure people living, working and travelling in regional areas of the state have access to key services.
“Royalties for Regions is helping transform the Wagin electorate and I look forward to seeing this investment bring greater social and economic benefits to the area,” Mr Rundle said.
For more information, visit: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/regionalmobilecommunications
For media enquiries contact Terry Waldron on 9881 1225 or email terry.waldron@mp.wa.gov.au or Peter Rundle on M: 0418 959 810 or E: peter.rundle@nationalswa.com
