THE HON PAUL FLETCHER MP
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts
THE HON MICHELLE LANDRY MP
Member for Capricornia
Assistant Minister for Children and Families
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Mobile phone towers in Capricornia will be able to keep operating longer if the power goes out during or after natural disasters, thanks to a major new investment by the Morrison McCormack Government.
The Government is funding Telstra and Optus to extend the battery back up at 5 mobile phone towers in Capricornia, to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said extending the battery life of the mobile phone towers would increase telecommunications resilience in Capricornia.
“The Morrison McCormack government is investing in battery back-up to keep mobile phone towers operating longer when the power goes out during or after natural disasters,” Ms Landry said.
“This includes towers at Bungundarra, Stanage Bay Road, West Hill and Mount Chalmers which are servicing nearly 800 premises.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said telecommunications, including mobile phone towers, need reliable power sources to operate.
“Telecommunications – including mobile phone towers – rely on power 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,” Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said.
The 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, under stage one of the program. More information on the program is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website
