Make your next call from Warroo

Sending a selfie from Warroo, calling home or contacting emergency services is now possible thanks to improved mobile phone coverage in Warroo according to the Nationals’ Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack.

Mr McCormack was joined at a community BBQ today with representatives from Forbes Shire Council, Telstra Countrywide and local residents to celebrate the launch of the new mobile phone tower.

“After lobbying by the local community and the former local Member John Cobb, this tower was able to be delivered under Round 1 of the highly successful Federal Government Mobile Black Spot Program. A program the Coalition Government has directly invested $220 million into three rounds of funding,” Mr McCormack said.

 

“An investment of $100 million for Round 1 of the program will deliver almost 500 new mobile base stations in regional and remote areas of Australia and this program continues to deliver for the regions. Towers were recently announced under Round 2 and Round 3 will open later this year.

“It’s great to hear first-hand from the local community about the benefits of this tower to the villages, farmers and local residents. Even more so because it supports the Rural Fire Service and other emergency services, enabling them to be contacted and connected to each other when travelling through this area and attending to emergency situations.

“The partnership and co-investment by Federal and State Government and telecommunications providers is vital to ensure services like the tower at Warroo are provided to people in the regions who without this tower would be without adequate access to telecommunications. 

Echoing Mr McCormack’s comments, Telstra Countrywide Area General Manager Chris Taylor said, “expanding coverage to the regions ensures locals can keep in contact with family and friends and run their businesses more effectively, whether it’s chatting on the phone or using a range of online services over the Telstra mobile network.

“Telstra is the first carrier to bring 4G mobile services to regional Australia and will over the next two years upgrading or building mobile base stations in black spots across regional Australia,” Mr Taylor said.

Round 3 of the Mobile Black Spot Program will provide coverage to black spot locations that have not previously received funding under Rounds 1 and 2 the program, as well as locations that have been overlooked by mobile network operators because they are not considered to be commercially viable.

More information about the Mobile Black Spot Program can be found at www.communications.gov.au/mbsp or by contacting Mr McCormack’s electorate office.

Cristy Houghton