JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
THE HON MICHELLE ROWLAND MP, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR
Local residents and councils are encouraged to have their say on new draft guidelines for the next $20 million round of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) that aims to improve mobile coverage on the urban fringes of communities across Australia.
Peri-urban fringes – where the bush meets the edges of the suburbs – create significant challenges for communications infrastructure and natural disaster risks for those living and working in those communities. These communities are generally underserved because of their high cost, difficult terrain, planning challenges including in National Parks, and lower population densities.
PUMP targets longstanding mobile coverage and connectivity issues for impacted peri-urban communities by co-investing with mobile network operators on local projects.
The Albanese Labor Government has expanded eligibility for PUMP in response to clear community feedback – including to peri-urban fringes of additional major cities and regional centres including Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast.
A Project Noticeboard has been established as part of the consultation process to help local councils and community groups identify mobile coverage and reception in the peri-urban fringe, and form partnerships with the telecommunications sector to develop applications for funding.
Local councils and community groups are invited to upload their project proposals to the Noticeboard throughout the application period. The Noticeboard will be open until applications for Round 2 close.
PUMP complements the work of the Albanese Government to increase telecommunications and broadcasting disaster resilience across Australia, including through its $20 million Broadcasting Resilience Program to safeguard ABC broadcast towers and its $15 million Mobile Network Hardening Program.
To view the draft grant opportunity guidelines or to make a submission, visit infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say
For more information on the PUMP, visit infrastructure.gov.au/pump
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“Having access to reliable coverage during a natural disaster can be a matter of life and death.
“That’s why the Albanese Government committed to improving mobile coverage across Australia, including along our peri-urban fringes, to ensure local communities can stay in touch and receive information when they need it most.
“Our government is expanding the eligibility of this next round of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program to cover more communities previously excluded from the program to ensure they get the investment they need to stay connected.
“I encourage local councils and community groups to have their say to ensure the guidelines best meets the needs of communities.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann:
“I’m proud to belong to an Albanese Labor Government that takes connectivity in areas like ours so seriously. Poor mobile coverage is something locals consistently raise when I’m out in our community.
“I strongly encourage locals to have a look at the draft guidelines and have their say to ensure this next round of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program delivers the investment our community needs”.
