Elsie Lange
Telstra confirmed Gisborne South will be one of the 16 sites it will co-invest with the federal government to build mobile base stations to improve regional connectivity.
The company announced it would invest more than $7 million on the construction of the sites as part of the federal government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program.
On Thursday, April 21, the government announced the construction of two mobile sites in Gisborne South, with the exact Telstra site yet to be confirmed.
Telstra’s regional Australia executive Loretta Willaton said providing connectivity is not just the company’s responsibility, but should be shared between federal, state and local governments, and with other communications companies.
“Telstra’s ongoing participation in co-investment partnerships is helping provide more opportunities for people to get online, participate in the digital economy and deliver improved connectivity and safety in bushfire-prone areas,” Ms Willaton said.
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the government was committed to improving connectivity in outer urban areas.
“Improving coverage on the urban fringe will help communities access vital information during emergencies, seek help if needed and stay in touched with loved ones,” Mr Fletcher said.
Liberal McEwen candidate Richard Welch welcomed the government’s announcement and said if he was elected, would fight for better connectivity in the region.
Labor McEwen MP Rob Mitchell also announced on Thursday a $1.5 million funding pledge to fix mobile blackspots in Woodend and Gisborne South if the party wins the federal election.
“There are many locations in the Macedon Ranges with poor mobile communications, which is why fixing these black spots will be a top priority for an Albanese Labor government,” Mr Mitchell said.
