12 December 2023

The Hon Michelle Rowland 

Minister for Communications

The Hon Kristy McBain

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

Federal Member for Eden-Monaro

Local residents in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region will soon benefit from improved mobile and broadband connectivity, as part of the Albanese Government’s continued investment in narrowing the digital divide in Eden-Monaro.

Across both the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) and Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP), successful local projects that will receive Commonwealth co-investment include:

• $472,341.50 in Burra and surrounds for high speed fixed wireless broadband

• $90,241.00 in Urila and surrounds for high speed fixed wireless broadband

• An additional macro cell mobile phone solution to extend coverage in Urila

Elsewhere in Eden-Monaro, over $398,000 will support high speed fixed wireless broadband in Talbingo under the RCP.

In total, the Albanese Government is investing $170.2 million to deliver 136 projects nationally across the latest rounds of the RCP and MBSP.

Part of the Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan, the successful projects will boost regional, rural and remote connectivity by providing a range of technology upgrades – including fixed wireless, mobile voice and data, optical fibre and free public wi-fi solutions.

Projects in the lastest round of RCP and MBSP funding, leverage $106.25 million in co-contributions from State and Territory and industry, demonstrating a broad commitment to improve connectivity for regional and remote communities.

The rollout schedule will be published on the carriers’ websites once contracts are executed.

Full lists of funded projects under RCP Round 3 and MBSP Round 7 are available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp and www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp.

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

“It doesn’t matter where you live, access to reliable mobile coverage and connectivity is essential in 2023.”

“That’s why the Albanese Government is investing $1.1 billion to narrow the digital divide as part of the most significant investment in regional communications since the creation of the National Broadband Network.

“This major new investment through the Regional Connectivity and Mobile Black Spot Programs will make a meaningful difference to regional communities, including in Eden-Monaro.”

“We welcome the co-investment commitments for these projects, and strong interest and engagement from industry.”

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

“Communication challenges are among the top issues raised with me by local residents and small businesses in the Burra and Urila region, which is why the Albanese Labor Government continues to work hard to deliver improvements.

“When your phone or internet don’t work, you can’t keep in touch with family and friends, run your business, or access really important services taken for granted in major cities, like tele-health.

“That’s why delivering faster, nore reliable broadband and addressing known blackspots will make a huge difference, better connecting people in Burra and Urila.”