More mobile black spots on fix list
DECEMBER 5, 2017: I WELCOME the commencement of the Coalition’s Priority Locations Round of the Mobile Black Spot Program, which will provide new or improved mobile coverage to two areas north of Mackay, as well as at Alva Beach near Ayr.In my electorate of Dawson, two mobile black spot locations are already being addressed under the first two rounds of the program.A new mobile tower has been built on the Bowen Developmental Road, between Bowen and Collinsville.Another mobile tower will be completed at Woodwark in the Whitsundays next year.Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield has now opened the next priority round, calling on telecommunication companies to participate in a tender to build new towers and improve coverage in these locations, and Alva Beach is one of the communities which will benefit.It’s fantastic to see that the Mount Ossa and Yalboroo communities, as well as all those who travel the Bruce Highway between Mackay and the Whitsundays, are one step closer to receiving new and improved mobile coverage. It's also great news for the people of Alva Beach near Ayr. I call on the telecommunications companies to give us their best tenders to deliver coverage to our area.The Coalition Government has committed $60 million to address 106 priority locations across the country that have been identified as having poor or no mobile coverage, on top of the 765 locations already being addressed under the first two rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program.“The Coalition continues to deliver more coverage to rural, regional and remote Australia,” Minister Fifield said.“We’re already delivering 765 towers which will provide coverage for 32,000 homes and businesses, and now we’ll deliver coverage to even more regional Australians.”The Coalition Government expects the tender process to be finalised by the end of the year, with the rollout of successful towers to commence early in 2018. The program guidelines for the Priority Locations round are available at www.communications.gov.au/mbsp