More Connectivity Opportunities for Durack

Applications for the second round of the Morrison Government’s highly successful Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) are now open.

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price says Round 2 of this program is an exciting opportunity for many Durack regional and remote communities.

“I know Round 1 of this program has made a real difference to telecommunications across a number of Durack Shires and communities and I would encourage more applications for this round which reflects the Morrison Government’s commitment to regional Australia,” Ms Price said.

“Round 1 of the RCP funded 25 connectivity projects in Durack with an investment of more than $17 million which included satellite broadband, Fixed Wireless broadband, Fibre broadband and mobile voice and data infrastructure solutions. Almost$7 million of that investment was to Kimberley projects,” she said.  

 There is up to $112 million available in Round 2 with a focus to provide place-based grants to areas of high economic and or social value and outside the NBN Fixed line footprint where better connectivity and increased data have a clear benefit to a local region

“I am particularly pleased that in this RCP round, approximately $45 million worth of dedicated funding for telecommunications infrastructure in Northern Australia is included, under the Connecting Northern Australia initiative,” Ms Price said.

The Australian Government has invested approximately $229 million in the program, committing $117.4 million under Round 1 to deliver more than 130 projects.

Applicants will be expected to provide a financial co-contribution to the capital costs of the building or installing for each project.

Round 2 guidelines of the Regional Connectivity Program are now available online: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-technology-communications/internet/regional-connectivity-program

Applications close 5pm AEDT on January 27 2022.

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Media Contact:

Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.