Residents across western Victoria will soon be better connected following successful applications for funding mobile and broadband upgrades under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program.

Minister for Regional Communications, Bridget McKenzie, said the projects form part of the Coalition Government’s continuing roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).

The $6.1 million in Coalition Government funding will be invested across Sea Lake and Wimmera, including to deploy fixed wireless services in the southern Mallee and Wimmera area, and upgrading the nbn™ service technology in the town of Sea Lake from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.

The Coalition Government funded more than 130 projects in regional Australia in Round 1 of the program, including 11 in Mallee and these Round 2 projects will now build upon the government’s past investments.

“These Round 2 projects will build upon the government’s past investment in the Mobile Blackspot Program, which has funded 45 Mobile Black Spot Program projects across Mallee to date,” Minister McKenzie said.

“I’m very pleased that residents and businesses across western Victoria will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this project will bring in terms of digital connectivity.

“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay safe and remain in contact with loved ones. The Coalition will continue to invest in this critical infrastructure as part of our plan for a strong economy and stronger future.

“Our government has continued to take a collaborative approach with the telecommunications industry and regional and remote communities to make sure that the funded projects are tailored to the needs of each region and are supported by the community. This approach has resulted in an opportunity to create real change in the regions.

“By contrast, Labor has not funded a single mobile tower in regional Australia, in fact they recently announced that an Albanese-led government will cut $155 million from the budget for regional communications making it harder for rural Australians to access healthcare and education virtually.”

Nationals Member for Mallee Anne Webster welcomed the announcement for Sea Lake and Wimmera.

“I have fought for better connectivity for Sea Lake specifically because of the strong local voices of people who reside there. The Mallee electorate is vast and areas of poor connectivity have frustrated many. Improvements to connectivity has therefore been a key focus of mine throughout my first three years as the Federal Member. Today’s announcement will be very welcome to individuals and businesses in this region,” Dr Webster said.

“It is not a simple task to get reliable connectivity in regional, rural and remote communities. It’s a step by step process, with each component improving the lived experience. This is a huge step forward in Mallee.

“The Coalition have a proven track record of delivering telecommunications upgrades for Regional Australia and making it our priority.”

Regional Connectivity Program Round 2 Projects in Mallee:

Sea Lake – Mallee ($3,553,866)
The project will upgrade the nbn™ service technology in the town of Sea Lake from nbn™ Sky Muster Satellite to nbn™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology.

Southern Mallee – Mallee/Wannon ($2,615,800)
The project will build new Pivotel 4G and mmWave Fixed Wireless Access services to the Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) region of Western Victoria.

Mobile Blackspot Program
We have funded 45 new base stations in Mallee under the Mobile Black Spot Program to date, with 43 of these projects already completed.

Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND)
In Mallee 15 base stations have received funding under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) to receive at least 12 hours back-up power, all of which are operational, and a further 9 projects committed under Stage 2.

Under the STAND package, the Coalition Government is upgrading telecommunications connectivity at fire service depots and evacuation centres across Australia to support their essential work. This involves the installation of NBN Co. Sky Muster satellites at rural and country fire service depots and designated evacuation centres. There are 41 locations across Mallee that received funding, 39 of which are currently operational.

Only the Coalition will continue to deliver for Victoria as part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.

More information about the Regional Connectivity Program is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp