After strong advocacy by the Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips the good news of April 8th 2022 is the announcement that $1,436,400 has been allocated to Telstra who will deploy two new macro mobile sites in Termeil and Cullendulla providing improved coverage to sections of the Princes Highway between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay.
The funding, under the Regional Connectivity Program (the RCP) is a grants program for the delivery of 'place-based' telecommunications infrastructure projects to improve digital connectivity across regional, rural and remote Australia where better connectivity and increased data have a clear benefit to a local region.
The Federal Member for Gilmore has been a strong campaigner to see improved mobile across the region saying "Reliable, quality, high speed internet is not a luxury or a nice-to-have — it’s essential 21st century economic infrastructure."
“I have been working with people across the South Coast through our mobile blackspot survey and with Telstra to improve mobile coverage across the electorate, including the construction of the new Clyde Mountain Mobile Tower, improved battery backup at mobile phone towers and adding my support to Telstra’s submission to the federal government to fix blackspots along the Princes Highway.”
Above: Michelle Rowland, the Shadow Minister for Communications and Fiona Phillips, Member for Gilmore toured the region last week, in the leadup to the announcement, to listen to concerns from others living in blackspots saying "Our plan to boost mobile coverage and internet speeds is critical to a better future right here on the South Coast.”
The Member for Gilmore has identified that at least $3.5 million is required to address mobile black spots along the Princes highway, particularly from Batemans Bay to Ulladulla which she says is notorious for poor reception with residents and commuters adding "A further $3 million to improve mobile coverage in communities with severe coverage issues like Jamberoo, Lilli Pilli, Worrigee and Kangaroo Valley."
