Mobile phone blackspot funding for Killcare

Killcare is one of three areas put forward by Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, to receive improved mobile phone coverage as part of an additional $60 million commitment to extend the successful Blackspot Program.

"New mobile base stations will bring a much-needed boost to mobile coverage, providing benefits to emergency service operators, businesses and residents," Ms Wicks said.

"I'm pleased to announce that this commitment would help ensure vital access to emergency services for people in these areas which has previously never been possible.

"We have also selected these areas because they have been overlooked by mobile network operators due to commercial factors.

"A re-elected Turnbull government will invite mobile network operators to bid for this new funding to provide coverage in the identified locations.

"The Coalition is committed to improving mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in locations prone to experiencing natural disasters, as well as addressing unique mobile coverage problems such as areas with high seasonal demand," Ms Wicks continued.

According to Ms Wicks, this is the most significant one-time increase in mobile network coverage to regional and remote Australia delivered by a single public funding programme in the history of mobile communications in Australia.

Following the success of the Coalition's initial $100 million investment, another $60 million funding round is already under way, with successful locations to be announced by the end of 2016.

"The Coalition's $220 million plan to address mobile black spots will ensure regional and remote communities have access to wider and more reliable mobile phone coverage," Ms Wicks concluded.

Media release, 22 Jun 2016

Tim Sowden, Office of Lucy Wicks MP