Upper Murray residents and visitors are benefitting from new Telstra 4G mobile phone coverage and reduced black spots with the final activation of mobile phone towers in Koetong and Burrowye.
The two mobile phone towers, and a new small-cell base station south west of Cudgewa, were funded by the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot Program to improve mobile coverage, capacity and triple zero connectivity for users on other mobile networks in emergency situations.
“I am delighted to finally confirm the completion and activation of these mobile towers which have been hard fought for and a long time coming for these communities,” Dr Haines said.
“Following the Black Summer Bushfires that devastated the Upper Murray, it was vital that telecommunications across the region were improved.
“Inconsistent and non-existent phone coverage impacts the ability of the local people, including the CFA, to communicate during emergencies.”
As the Independent Member for Indi, Dr Haines has worked tirelessly to bring communities and local councils together to inform the federal government and service providers about the challenges rural and regional people face because of poor phone coverage.
“Inadequate service coverage holds businesses back and impacts opportunities to participate in the digital economy – good telecommunications are essential for our safety and our livelihoods,” Dr Haines said.
“Regional communities should not have to settle for second-rate telecommunications when we rely so heavily on them to run businesses, work and study from home, and access healthcare services.
“These new mobile sites will enhance the local economy, improve community safety and enable greater connectivity.
“I will continue to work with the government and local communities to secure funding fortelecommunications infrastructure that improves outcomes for our rural communities.”
Since being elected in 2019, Dr Haines has secured funding for 13 new phone towers in Indi, with four towers due to come online in 2024.
Under independent representation, Indi is the most successful federal electorate in Victoria to secure funding under the Commonwealth Mobile Black Spot Program.
ENDS