The federal government is investing $13.2 million to extend battery backup power to mobile phone towers, including four towers across the Scenic Rim and Logan.
Wright MP Scott Buchholz has announced the upgrades twelve months on from the first fires that hit the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast hinterland in 2019.
“In 2019, we saw the devastating impact of the black summer bushfires on our community right here, in the Scenic Rim,” Mr Buchholz said. “We were the first hit and those devastating fires were replicated and worsened in other parts of Australia.
“We know that mobile phone towers are critical to public safety, to ensuring we’re able to communicate to residents in areas that are dense bush land.
“During the fires, these towers were relied on heavily by our emergency services and the upgrades we are going to deliver will keep the towers operating longer if the power goes out.
“The downside to living in this beautiful part of the world is that we do experience natural disasters, storms, floods and fire and we want to ensure our community is still connected, to help and access to the services the need during or after natural disasters.”
The government is providing $13.2 million to Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery back up at 467 mobile phone towers to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.
“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, Paul Fletcher said.
Mr Buchholz said this investment is part of the $650 million bushfire recovery relief package announced in May 2020 by the Prime Minister.
“This government is committed to investing in regional communities and we are doing that by delivering on the infrastructure and services that matter,” he said.
“With these upgrades, emergency services will be supported and Australians connected.”
A list of the mobile towers to receive battery extension upgrades include:
Cedar Vale
Lamington National Park Rd
New Beith
Darlington
