The Malinauskas Labor Government is providing one of the biggest investments in regional mobile phone coverage in the State’s history – providing $5.5 million to boost connectivity in the Limestone Coast.
The funding will go towards Telstra’s "South East SA Project", to enable the delivery of 27 new mobile base stations across the region, adding around 2,400 square kilometres of new 4G coverage.
The project now has investment from State and local government, along with local industry, and requires Federal Government funding to bring it to life.
The Malinauskas Labor Government’s funding announcement comes off the back of continued advocacy from local Independent Members of Parliament Nick McBride and Troy Bell.
The new towers would increase mobile coverage, wireless broadband, and data-sharing capabilities. It would also provide additional Triple Zero connectivity for users of other networks in emergency situations.
This will enable more efficient communication and monitoring in the forestry, dairy, agricultural, winery, and wool industries, provide better services to large numbers of seasonal tourists, improve access to remote health services, and enhance communications to vital emergency services.
The project is part of Telstra's proposal to the Commonwealth Government's Regional Connectivity Program developed in consultation with local councils, the South Australian Forest Products Association, Primary Producers SA, Grain Producers SA, the South-East Professional Fishermen's Association, RDA Limestone Coast, and the SA Country Fire Service.
The Malinauskas Labor Government believes the project is a strong contender for funding as part of the Regional Connectivity Program and awaits funding outcome decisions from the Commonwealth Government.