Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Communications Mark Coulton said the Enngonia community will reap the benefits of improved mobile connectivity, with a new base station now live.
Mr Coulton said the base station has been funded under Round 4 of the Coalition Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program and will open doors for business and tourism in the area.
“This is a very important announcement for Enngonia, with local residents now enjoying the benefits that improved mobile connectivity brings,” Mr Coulton said.
“Better coverage will help keep families and businesses connected at a time when we rely on staying in touch more than ever, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘It will also help to bring more travellers to the Far West once we get ahead of the virus.
“I’m thrilled that the Coalition Government is working alongside telecommunications providers under the highly successful $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program to deliver better connectivity for people in my electorate.”
Last month, Mr Coulton announced the Parkes electorate would receive four new base stations under Round 5 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, located in the Orana/Western Plains region.
Telstra Regional General Manager Michael Marom said the Enngonia community had welcomed the new connectivity which was already delivering economic benefits and new opportunities for locals.
“The Mobile Black Spot Program demonstrates how governments and the private sector can co-invest to deliver benefits for communities,” Mr Marom said.
“More than ever before we are using connected devices to improve productivity or our way of life and in many areas regional Australia is leading the way from smart transport, to livestock tracking and water monitoring.
“Connectivity is now much more than just being able to tweet, share photos and communicate. It’s becoming an economic necessity in an increasingly connected world.”
Greg Oates, who owns and operates the Oasis Hotel in Enngonia along with his wife Kim, has welcomed the improved coverage.
“This is a huge win for Enngonia – it will mean our motel guests can enjoy the benefits of mobile coverage, and our patrons can use services like online banking to make purchases in the hotel,” Mr Oates said.
“We’re very excited about the boost in mobile coverage – both at our hotel and at our home.”
Background
• A total of 16 base stations have been funded in the Parkes electorate under the Mobile Black Spot Program, representing a $2.6 million Federal Government investment.
• To view the full list of locations under the most recent round of the Mobile Black Spot Program (Round 5), or to provide feedback on the discussion paper on the design of future rounds, visit: communications.gov.au/mbsp