December 2, 2020
Mobile phone towers in the South Burnett region will be able to keep operating longer if the power goes out during natural disasters, thanks to a new Federal Government funding scheme.
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said the Federal Government was funding telcos to extend batteries to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.
“Adequate mobile phone coverage is critically important during natural disasters such as floods or bushfires to ensure people can reach emergency services if needed, so they can stay up to date on the emergency situation and changes in conditions, and to stay in touch with loved ones,” Mr O’Brien said.
The following towers in the South Burnett and surrounding region will receive funding for battery back-ups:
- Boondooma (Telstra)
- Boyneside (TPG)
- Cooyar (TPG)
- Durong (Telstra)
- Glastonbury (Telstra)
- Gordonbrook (Telstra)
- Hayden-Maclagan Road (Telstra)
- Maidenwell (Optus)
- Moore (Telstra)
- Tansey (Telstra)
- Wattle Camp (Optus)
- Wide Bay Highway – Cinnabar (Optus)
- Wondai Road (Telstra)
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said telecommunications needed reliable power sources to operate.
“This investment will allow mobile phone towers to keep operating for at least 12 hours after the power goes out, making a real difference for communities during and after a natural disaster,” he said.
Under Stage 1 of the program, the Federal Government is providing a total of $13.2 million to Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery back up at 467 mobile phone towers across Australia.
