Image Source – Telstra
Residents in Indi will benefit from new and improved telecommunications services under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Regional Connectivity Program (the RCP).
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher, Regional Communications Minister Mark Coulton, and Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie announced the boost in mobile and broadband services today.
“A total of $876,000 in federal funding will go towards three local upgrade projects at Euroa North, Mount Stanley and Tawonga South. It’ll mean improved mobile connection to support the uptake of new agricultural and business technologies by the local agricultural and tourism sectors,” Senator McKenzie said.
“These projects will also provide locals access to improved broadband services and data delivering fast, affordable and reliable connectivity. This will help keep our businesses connected, our families stay in touch and means we can better access telehealth, education and other online services.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that residents and businesses in my local community will enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this improved digital connectivity will bring.”
Federal Regional Communications Minister Mark Coulton said the Government was listening to the needs of regional communities and businesses and was pleased to see the RCP being used to support the design and delivery place-based solutions which solved rural connectivity issues.
“This next tranche of projects under the Regional Connectivity Program will make a difference on the ground for local communities,” Minister Coulton said.
“I am pleased with the quality of projects being put forward which are tailored to the needs of each region and are supported by the community; a result of a collaborative approach between the telecommunications industry, businesses, regional communities and local councils.
“Connectivity – digital and physical – is vital for regional Australia to fulfil its full potential to do business, work and raise a family, no more so than now with the unprecedented interest in people living and working in a regional area.”
“This investment will provide targeted uplifts to connectivity in the regional areas which need it the most, ensuring that more Australians can access high-speed, reliable broadband and mobile services,” Minister Fletcher added.
The Federal Government is contributing a total of $117.4 million (GST inclusive) to the first round of the RCP, generating total new investment of more than $232 million (GST inclusive) through co-contributions from funding recipients, state and territory governments and other third parties, such as local governments, regional businesses and community development organisations.
In addition, the Government has made further funding of $105.8 million available for a second round of the program and will call for applications later this year, following consultation of program guidelines.
The delivery of successful projects under the Program will begin shortly with most projects to be completed by June 2022.
More information about the RCP is available at: communications.gov.au/what-we-do/internet/regional-connectivity-program