Nominate mobile black spots now

MORE regional mobile black spot funding has been made available by the Federal Government and local Nationals’ MP Michael McCormack is encouraging Riverina residents to nominate locations with little or no mobile service before the December 31 deadline.

“The Coalition is committing $60 million to provide or upgrade mobile coverage under Round 2 of its Mobile Black Spots Programme.

“I am always out and about in the very large Riverina electorate which gives me first-hand knowledge of where the problem areas are,” Mr McCormack said.

“However, I strongly encourage residents with poor coverage to nominate mobile black spots in their local area.”

Black spot nominations for Round 2 of the Programme can be made online at www.communications.gov.au/blackspots or emailed to Michael McCormack at michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au.

Locations nominated as mobile black spots by people living in Riverina will be added to a national database. The database will be provided to mobile operators as part of a competitive selection process, where operates will be required to nominate sites where they would build new or upgrade base stations to serve black spot locations nominated by the public.

Under Round 1 of the Mobile Black Spots Programme 56 locations were upgraded in Riverina. Base stations were upgraded in Ladysmith, Mannus, Merriwagga, Mid-Western Highway, Tabbita, Ungarie and Weethalle.

Cristy Houghton