The Hon Michelle Rowland

Minister for Communications

The Hon Kristy McBain

Federal Member for Eden-Monaro

Locals and visitors to Eden, Cooma, Jindabyne, and Thredbo will be safer, better connected and informed during natural disasters and emergencies thanks to emergency broadcasting infrastructure upgrades delivered by the Albanese Government.

As part of its $20 million Broadcasting Resilience Program (BRP), the Government is working with BAI Communications to improve the resilience of local ABC radio sites used for emergency broadcasting.

Emergency power and satellite program backup services have been delivered in Thredbo, satellite program backup services and an additional emergency power backup service in Cooma, satellite program backup services in Jinderboine Hill at East Jindabyne, and at Bimmil Hill at Eden.

The upgrades also benefit other public, national and commercial broadcasters at the BAI sites. To date, these upgrades which help maintain communications during natural disasters have been delivered at 35 sites across regional and rural Australia, with design planning complete at a further 61 sites.

Through the BRP, the Commonwealth Government and BAI Communications are delivering:

• 55 new emergency power systems (e.g. battery and diesel backup);
• Backup satellite program inputs for 77 sites to quickly re-establish broadcast services;
• Civil and infrastructure upgrades to several ABC AM radio sites in areas susceptible to
  flooding;
• Five rapid-recovery assets that can be quickly deployed during natural disaster or
  emergencies.

The BRP is part of the Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan, which includes additional disaster-resilience measures such as the $50 million Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation Program and the $15 million Mobile Network Hardening Program.

For more information, visit: Broadcasting Resilience Program | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The safety of Australians is the Albanese Government’s number one priority.

“During natural disasters and emergencies, access to timely and accurate information can ultimately mean the difference between life and death.

“I’m pleased to see the completion of these upgrades which will help maintain the continuity of broadcasting services when local residents and visitors to Eden, Cooma and Jindabyne need it most.

“I look forward to seeing the completion of all upgrades under the Broadcasting Resilience Program and working with communities and industry on future initiatives to improve the resilience of our communications infrastructure.

Quotes attributable to the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Member for Eden-Monaro:

“I’m proud to belong to a Labor Government that is committed to improving the country's disaster preparedness, response, and resilience capability.

“Eden-Monaro communities know how vital emergency broadcasting is during times of disaster – we rely on life-saving information being broadcast by the ABC and other stations.

“The critical broadcasting infrastructure upgrades - delivered through the Broadcasting Resilience Program - will help keep our local communities safer, better connected and informed if a disaster strikes.”