A database of locations in regional and remote areas of the Central Coast which have been nominated by community members as having inadequate mobile coverage has been released by the federal government.
“This is an important step towards the implementation of the Coalition Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme, which we committed to in our Growth Plan for the Central Coast,” said Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks. “The volume of locations being nominated is evidence of the strong community demand for improved mobile phone coverage in our area. “I’ve been meeting with local residents and businesses in communities that need it the most. “I’m hopeful that many of these locations that have been nominated will be included in the final rollout.” Locations that have been nominated in the Robertson electorate include: Mangrove Creek; Mangrove Mountain; Mooney Mooney; Mount White; Patonga; Somersby; Spencer; Main Northern Railway between Hawkesbury and Woy Woy; M1 Pacific Motorway between Cowan and Woy Woy; Pacific Highway between Sydney and Wyong; George Downes Dr between Calga and Laguna; and Wisemans Ferry Rd between Greengrove and Gunderman. Ms Wicks said the locations to be funded by the Programme would be chosen through a competitive selection process, designed to direct the funding to locations of greatest need. “The process will start soon, with a view to announcing the locations which have been selected for funding in the first half of 2015,” said Ms Wicks. “The locations will be drawn from a national database, and the Programme is expected to fund the provision of between 250 and 300 new mobile base stations across Australia. “The Coalition recognises the vital importance of mobile coverage to people living in outer metropolitan, regional and remote areas. “Expanding mobile coverage will have economic, social and safety benefits for people living, working and travelling in these locations – including in suburbs such as Mount White and Mangrove Mountain, and along major transport routes.”
Media release, 7 Oct 2014
Tim Sowden, office of
Lucy Wicks MP