The rollout of broadband mobile and internet services across the shire needs 16 new towers to fix key black spot problems.
Macedon Ranges’ mayor Graham Hackett said progress is finally being made on connectivity in the shire after many years of lobbying by residents and businesses.
The National Broadband Network (fibre to the node) has already been rolled out at Kyneton, with Romsey, Lancefield, Macedon and Woodend areas next on the list to be done by the end of the year.
There will be a new Telstra tower at Pipers Creek as part of the rollout, and the council is assessing the preferred sites for the 16 other fixed wireless towers needed.
These need to form a network linked by line of sight in order to function.
Cr Hackett reminded residents and businesses that these works will provide significant improvements to internet and mobile connectivity in the shire.
He said council is working with the telco to win round one funding from the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot program. The council also has an application for a round two grant, and has committed $50,000 in its 2016-17 budget towards the Pipers Creek tower, which would be constructed by Telstra.
“We have invested a lot of resources to address this matter over the last three years,” Cr Hackett said.
“We developed a black spot register and partnered with the state and federal governments to refine that study through a second, more detailed analysis.”
Property owners willing to host infrastructure on their land would enter agreements with NBN Co, he said.
“I would encourage all residents to consider the broader benefits of the new infrastructure, which will support those studying or working from home, help local businesses to thrive, and protect community safety during emergencies,” Cr Hackett said.
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