MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR AUSTRALIANS LIVING IN THE OUTER SUBURBS

The Morrison Government’s economic plan is making life easier for Australians living on the urban fringes of major cities by providing $28.2 million for 66 successful projects to address mobile phone blackspots across the country, including three projects in the electorate of Longman.

 

A further $78.5 million will be provided for projects that address mobile phone and connectivity issues in outer urban and urban fringe areas, under the Connecting Regional Australia initiative.

 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Coalition was committed to improving the lives of people living in outer urban areas.

 

“Supporting Australians living in our suburbs and particularly outer urban areas is a key part of our economic plan to create a stronger economy for a stronger future,” the Prime Minister said.

 

“Our economic plan guarantees essential services, ensuring families have access to fast and reliable mobile services.

 

“Investing in digital infrastructure is all part of our plan to make Australia a top ten data and digital economy by 2030, helping to grow businesses and jobs, while also providing Australians with better access to essential services.”

 

Member for Longman Terry Young said: “Today I am pleased to announce we are building three new mobile sites to improve coverage for people living in Bellmere and Caboolture South.

 

“This, along with the two new sites already under way at the Caboolture Pool and Caboolture River Rd, will well and truly resolve the mobile coverage issues experienced by people in these areas.”

 

The new mobile sites in Longman are:

·       A new Telstra site at the corner of Old N Road and Bellmere Road.

·       A new Telstra site and a new Optus site on Torrens Road in Caboolture South.

 

Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher said our 66 new mobile projects will improve mobile coverage where the bush meets the edges of the suburbs.

 

“Improving coverage on the urban fringe will help communities access vital information during emergencies, seek help if needed and stay in touch with loved ones,” Minister Fletcher said. 

 

Minister for Regional Communications Bridget McKenzie said: “The 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review identified outer urban areas as having many of the same coverage and connectivity issues as our regional areas – our investment will contribute to the local economy through lifting productivity, capability and investment.”

 

The 66 successful projects were selected through a competitive assessment, with funding awarded based on the coverage outcomes provided by each solution, under a grants program that was first announced in the 2021-22 Budget as part of the Digital Economy Strategy.

 

Eligibility for future funding will be expanded beyond our major capital cities to include the urban fringe of other major urban areas including Geelong, Wollongong, Gosford, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin and Canberra.

 

The investments complement the Coalition’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, which is improving mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote Australia by building more than 1,200 mobile base stations, with over 1,000 already built.