Ten regional communities in the Wagin electorate will benefit from a boost in mobile communications in the near future, thanks to the Royalties for Regions funded Regional Telecommunications Program (RTP) and the Federal Mobile Black Spot Programme.
Details were recently announced for the locations and time-frames of the 128 new and upgraded mobile phone towers, being delivered across regional WA.
The $385 million program is a joint initiative between the Royalties for Regions funded RTP and the Commonwealth Government.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA said The Nationals WA had unveiled the location of the first 10 mobile phone towers under the program last month, and welcomed the full schedule’s release.
“Information on all 128 phone towers being built in regional WA is now online and easily accessible, so local residents can clearly see when and where mobile coverage will be improved in their area,” Mr Waldron said.
“By the end of July 2016, the first 10 sites in WA will be constructed, with many more to follow over the next three years.”
Residents of a further 10 local Great Southern and Wheatbelt locations can expect new or upgraded towers in the 2016-17 financial year, with more to come.
Local mobile phone towers sites scheduled for completion in 2016-17 include:
• Badgebup
• Borden
• Cuballing
• Noobijup
• Perillup
• Popanyinning
• Porongrup
• Ryansbrook
• Tindale Road, Plantagenet
• Woogenellup
Mr Waldron said: “Constructing so many mobile towers across WA doesn’t happen overnight, and we understand there is anticipation around when and where these will be built, which is why it’s important to keep local communities updated on the project,” Mr Waldron said.
Mr Waldron said there was significant work going on behind the scenes to help facilitate this major infrastructure rollout.
“There are many factors affecting when a site can be completed, including relevant Federal, State and local government approvals, the scale and complexity of construction required, and whether or not new structures need to be built or existing infrastructure can be utilised.
“Due to these factors, the website will initially show the expected year of delivery for individual mobile towers, with more detailed information being added as the rollout date draws closer.”
Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman MLA announced the full schedule for the jointly funded program this week.
“This fantastic collaboration will support more options for business and innovation, bringing considerable opportunities to regional communities,” Mr Redman said.
“Royalties for Regions is playing a significant role in transforming regional WA and I look forward to seeing the digital divide in our regions being further reduced.”
In total, Royalties for Regions has contributed $85 million to improving mobile communications across regional WA since 2012, supporting the rollout of 266 new phone towers.
Visit the new Mobile Black Spot Site Locator at www.telstra.com/blackspots and enter your postcode to be informed about towers in your area.