THE HON MICHELLE ROWLAND MP 

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS 

KRISTY MCBAIN MP

MEMBER FOR EDEN-MONARO

The Albanese Labor Government continues to prioritise safety and resilience for communities in Eden-Monaro with four new connectivity upgrades to be delivered through Round 3 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP).

The program co-funds projects with telcos to deliver portable and permanent generators, back-up power equipment, including batteries with 12 to 20 hours capacity and strengthened towers to better withstand significant wind, fire and storm events.

This support will strengthen mobile telecommunications services by reducing the risk of outages and improving restoration times during and after a natural disaster.

Battery capacity upgrades will be delivered at three mobile base stations across the Snowy Monaro region – at Cooma, Dry Plain, and Pender Lea.

The program will also provide Automatic Transfer Units at mobile base stations, allowing sites to easily connect to portable generator systems - a process that normally relies on specialist technicians to facilitate.

This includes at Bermagui in the Bega Valley, where a battery capacity upgrade will also be delivered.

This is a huge boost for local emergency services who operate auxiliary power systems and support the rapid restoration of power to a site during and after natural disasters.

These four new projects build on the 12 projects supported in Eden-Monaro under Round 2 of the MNHP, including at Adelong, Batlow, Rosewood, Tumbarumba, in the Tumut region, and across the Yass Valley at Mundoonen, Murrumbateman, Paynes Road near Bookham, Yellow Creek Road and the Yass Interchange.

Relevant decisions for Round 3 upgrades were taken prior to the caretaker period.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The safety of Australians is the number one priority of the Albanese Labor Government – particularly during natural disasters which are becoming more frequent and severe.

“Round 3 of the MNHP will provide an additional $9.8 million to help hundreds more communities stay safe and informed when they need it the most.

“A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will also legislate a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation that uses next generation satellites to provide basic mobile connectivity and Triple Zero access, even when land-based networks are down.

“The Liberals and Nationals have mindlessly rushed to oppose our plan, once again placing petty politics above the safety of Australians.

“Labor will not leave Australians to fend for themselves when it comes to public-safety connectivity.”

 Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain MP:

“Communities in Eden-Monaro know that during disasters conditions on the ground can change rapidly – which is why having access to reliable connectivity to receive emergency information and to keep in touch with family and friends is crucial.

“Four new projects to boost telecommunications resilience in Eden-Monaro is great news for our community, and builds on the 12 projects I secured under Round 2 of this program.

“While no telecommunications network can ever be 100 percent disaster-proof, I’m proud to be delivering these projects to reduce the risk of communications outages.”