Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
The Hon Melissa Price MP
Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Science and Technology
Member for Durack
Residents of Durack will soon be better connected following successful applications for funding mobile blackspot and broadband upgrades under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program.
Minister for Regional Communications, Bridget McKenzie, said the projects form part of the Coalition Government’s continuing roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
The $30 million in Coalition Government funding will be invested across Durack to deliver a range of telecommunications upgrades, including three new macro mobile sites, a fixed wireless network, upgrades to existing mobile base stations and upgrading nbn™ service technology in three locations, from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.
Through Round 1 of the RCP, the Coalition Government funded more than 130 projects in regional, rural, and remote communities, while these Round 2 projects will now build upon the Government’s past investment in the Program.
“These Round 2 projects will build upon the Government’s past investment in the Mobile Blackspot Program, which has funded 145 Mobile Black Spot Program projects in Durack to date.
“I’m very pleased that residents and businesses across Durack 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.”
Liberal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price MP welcomed the over $30 million investment in Durack under the Round Two of the Regional Connectivity Program.
“The Regional Connectivity Program is so important to electorates like Durack because of its focus on place based solutions, solving some unique rural and remote connectivity issues through strong applicants resulting in a collaborative approach between the telecommunications industry, businesses, regional communities and local councils. This program has made a real difference in Durack,” Ms Price said.
Regional Connectivity Program Round 2 Projects in Durack:
Kalumburu ($888,140)
The project will deploy a fully managed public satellite Wi-Fi and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone solution to the Aboriginal community of the Kalumburu Outstations.
Mowanjum ($858,099)
The project will deploy a fully managed public satellite Wi-Fi and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone solution to the Aboriginal community of Mowanjum.
Coconut Wells ($287,600)
The project will deploy a new Telstra small cell mobile site to deliver new and improved handheld coverage to the Coconut Wells community.
Newman ($2,033,800)
The project will upgrade two Telstra macro cell base stations and deploy one new Telstra macro cell base station and one new Telstra small cell base station to uplift connectivity across Newman and the nearby community of Jigalong.
Kununurra ($657,650)
The project will deploy one new Telstra macro base station at Kununurra and one Telstra small cell base station at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture, providing new coverage to the area.
Fitzroy Crossing ($4,024,732)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Fitzroy Crossing from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises.
Mullewa ($4,119,533)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Mullewa from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.
Gingin and Breera ($891,350)
The project will upgrade one Telstra macro cell base station in Gingin and deploy one new Telstra macro cell base station in Breera, providing coverage to the region and extending coverage to the Brand and Great Northern Highways respectively.
Onslow ($4,478,161)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Onslow from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises.
Halls Creek ($2,911,890)
The project will construct a fixed wireless network to deliver reliable, high speed broadband services and public Wi-Fi to the remote Aboriginal communities of Balgo (Wirrimanu), Billiluna (Mindibungu), Mulan and Ringer Soak (Kundat Djaru) located in the Shire of Halls Creek in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Western Desert Aboriginal Lands ($6, 753, 000)
The project will install the Western Desert Aboriginal Lands Communication Network, a broadband communications system, to service the remote Aboriginal communities of Kunawarritji, Punmu, Parnngurr and Jigalong.
Central Wheatbelt ($2,161,200)
The project is an extension of a Round 1 RCP project and will deploy a fixed wireless broadband network, comprising 11 repeater stations across six local government areas, to connect the existing CRISP wireless network to the Central, Eastern and Southern parts of the Central Wheatbelt region.
The Coalition Government’s track record of delivering regional communications in Durack:
Mobile Blackspot Program
Under the program, 145 mobile base stations have been funded to be deployed in the electorate. To date, 99 base stations are complete and now on air. The Coalition Government has committed $30.7 million under the program to date in the electorate of Durack to deliver new and improved mobile coverage.
In Durack, the Coalition’s funding has leveraged a total investment of $104.3 million, including co-contributions from the mobile carriers, state and local governments, and community organisations.
Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND)
In the electorate of Durack, 85 base stations have received funding under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) to receive at least 12 hours back-up power.
Under the STAND package, the Liberal Government is upgrading telecommunications connectivity at fire service depots and evacuation centres across Australia to support their essential work. This Involves the Installation of NBN Co Sky Muster satellites at rural and country fire service depots and designated evacuation centres. There are 66 locations in Durack that will be installed.
Only the Coalition will continue to deliver for Western Australia as part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.
Media contacts:
Minister McKenzie – David Edghill| 0477 417 516 | David.Edghill@infrastructure.gov.au
Minister Price – Rosemea Crane | 0427 587 395 | rosemea.crane@aph.gov.au