{"id":124726,"date":"2015-10-22T21:19:20","date_gmt":"2015-10-22T11:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=124726"},"modified":"2020-08-07T12:33:40","modified_gmt":"2020-08-07T02:33:40","slug":"mobile-black-spots-hurting-rural-qld","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/10\/22\/mobile-black-spots-hurting-rural-qld\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile ‘Black Spots’ Hurting Rural Qld"},"content":{"rendered":"
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AgForce CEO Charles Burke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 22, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Telecommunication infrastructure is keeping regional Queensland in the dark ages, costing farmers millions of dollars in lost productivity, according to a recent survey.<\/p>\n

Queensland farming groups have called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to finish what he started as Communications Minister by implementing the recommendations of the 2015 Regional Telecommunications Review.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis review needs to be seen as a pathway forward for telecommunications in regional Queensland,\u201d AgForce CEO Charles Burke said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be ensuring the Federal Government uses these recommendations to deliver the sort of services that will allow those living in regional Queensland to boost their business.\u201d<\/p>\n

The AgForce survey of 216 grain farmers and cattle and sheep producers highlighted poor mobile reception, intermittent or nil internet coverage and high costs.<\/p>\n

Queensland Farmers\u2019 Federation CEO Ruth Wade said rural Queenslanders running small businesses just a few kilometres from regional towns and cities were being held back because of poor telecommunication infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmart phones and tablets are revolutionising farming with easy access to banking, weather, education, record keeping software, calculators and converters and even social media for news and information,\u201d Ms Wade said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever limited coverage is hurting business and the cost of internet packages often exceeds $400 a month \u2013 three times the rate being paid in a regional town sometimes less than 15 minutes away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several farming groups provided submissions to the Federal Government\u2019s Regional Telecommunications Review calling for better co-ordination of infrastructure rollout, affordable options for remote communities and certainty for the NBN rollout.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was responsible for the review as the Communications Minister, and given his recent elevation, we want to see momentum for change continue and we will work with (Communications Minister) Mitch Fifield on how this can be implemented,\u201d Mr Burke said.<\/p>\n

The AgForce Queensland survey showed: <\/strong><\/p>\n