Wednesday, 18 July, 2018

The Andrews Labor Government has announced the locations of its latest round of mobile phone towers as part of the Victorian Mobile Black Spot Project (VMBSP).

The Labor Government is partnering with Optus and Telstra to build 28 new mobile towers across Victoria, with the towers set to cover around 2,000 square kilometres and connect more than 4,000 premises.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced that Cowwarr, Tanjil South, Narracan, Allambee, Gelantipy Exchange and Tubbut, are amongst the 28 communities that will be safer and better connected thanks to Round 3 of the VMBSP.

The Labor Government has invested $11 million to build the 28 towers, which brings the total amount of state co-funded towers to 229 – representing approximately $190 million of infrastructure investment in regional Victoria.

A further $11 million was announced to fix more mobile blackspots in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 and the government will continue to work with the Regional Partnerships, local governments, mobile carriers, Emergency Management Victoria and the Commonwealth Government to get the best outcome for Victorian communities.

The Government is also developing digital plans for the nine Regional Partnerships using the most comprehensive, up-to-date information on each region’s digital infrastructure and services. This is due to be finalised later this year.

For more information visit economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/connecting-victoria.

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

” This is wonderful news for the people of Gippsland. We continue to prove that we’re determined to eradicate the digital divide between the city and regional Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“Mobile coverage provides a lifeline for regional communities during an emergency, meaning that people can call for help and stay in touch with loved ones.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis

“We’re delivering new mobile towers to the communities that need them most – providing coverage and better connecting more communities.”