The Hon Kristy McBain MP
Member for Eden-Monaro
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Minister for Communications
The Hon Steve Whan MP
Member for Monaro
Locals and visitors to the small communities of Jerangle and Maragle in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains are benefiting from new and improved 4G mobile coverage, thanks to the Albanese Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP).
A new small cell base station has been switched on at Jerangle, thanks to funding from the Australian Government and Telstra, under Round 4 of the MBSP.
A new macro cell base station at Maragle has been delivered, jointly funded by the Australian Government, New South Wales Government and Telstra, under Round 5A of the MBSP.
These base stations are part of 1,500 delivered under the MBSP, and in addition to improving mobile and data connectivity, will enhance public safety communications during emergencies and natural disasters.
The Albanese Government is also delivering $5.4 million in funding to support new mobile base stations at priority locations across Eden-Monaro, under the Improving Mobile Coverage Round.
This includes at Talbingo, Dalmeny, Mystery Bay, along the Kings Highway, and on the Princes Highway between Batemans Bay and Eden.
In addition to this, new rounds of the MBSP are being delivered as part of the Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
The plan includes funding to boost mobile coverage and resilience, and to conduct an independent audit to better identify mobile blackspots across Australia.
For more information on the Better Connectivity Plan, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/bcp
For information on the Mobile Black Spot Program, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“Reliable mobile coverage is absolutely essential. The Albanese Government is delivering improved connectivity for Australians living, working and travelling in communities like South East NSW.
“This new mobile base station – one of more than 1,150 projects delivered through the Mobile Black Spot Program to date – is supporting enhanced connectivity and community safety.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain MP:
“We know how important access to reliable connectivity is, particularly for regional areas impacted or prone to natural disasters – which is why we continue to improve mobile coverage in black spot areas across Eden-Monaro.
“These new base stations will make a huge difference to the mobile coverage at Jerangle and Maragle – supporting locals to run their businesses and to keep in touch with family and friends.
“I’ll continue working with communities in the Snowy Monaro and Snowy Valleys to advocate for coverage improvements, and to narrow the connectivity divide in our regional areas.”
Quotes attributable to State Member for Monaro, Steve Whan MP:
“The process of upgrading and expanding telecommunications coverage of Monaro is ongoing, and I’m glad to have a committed local Federal Member in Kristy McBain to deliver this work alongside her colleagues in the Albanese Government.
“Despite being the purview of the Federal Government, a lot of constituents contact me and explain the importance and value of these services.”
