Details of the locations and time-frames of the 128 new and upgraded mobile phone towers to be delivered across regional WA though the Mobile Black Spot Program have been announced.
The $385 million program is a joint initiative involving the Royalties for Regions funded Regional Telecommunications Project and the Commonwealth Government.
Member for Moore Shane Love MLA said The Nationals WA had unveiled the location of the first 10 mobile phone towers under the Program last month, and welcomed the release of the full schedule.
“Information on all 128 phone towers being built in regional WA is now online and easily accessible, so local residents can clearly see when and where mobile coverage will be improved in their area,” Mr Love said.
“By the end of July 2016, the first 10 sites in WA will be constructed, with many more to follow over the next three years.” Sites scheduled for completion in 2016-
17 include Carnamah East, Horrocks, Chittering, Kalbarri Loop, Latham, Meanarra Hill, Yandanooka and Seabird.
Among the towers scheduled for completion in 2017-18 are Bunjil, Eganu, Koolanooka, Maya North, Womarden, Merkanooka, Grey, Upper Chittering, Mimegarra, Pithara and Wannamal East with a further three towers scheduled for construction during 2018-19 at Julimar, Mogumber and Yallabathara.
Mr Love said he understood the anticipation around the build and suggested members of the public track progress using the Mobile Black Spot Site Locator which includes a map and can be found at: www.telstra.com/blackspots “There are many factors affecting when a site can be completed, including relevant Federal, State and Local government approvals, the scale and complexity of construction required, and whether the structure is new or existing,” Mr Love said.
Minister for Regional Development, Terry Redman MLA, announced the full schedule for the jointly funded Commonwealth-Royalties for Regions ¬Mobile Black Spot Programme this week. “Royalties for Regions is playing a significant role in transforming regional WA and has so far contributed $85 million to improving mobile communications across regional WA since 2012, supporting the rollout of 266 new phone towers,” Mr Redman added.
