By Alana Mitchelson
GEMBROOK residents with poor mobile phone reception can soon expect improved coverage with the installation of a new mobile base station in the town.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said the station would be funded under the $213 million second rollout of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
“Mobile coverage for Gembrook will be fantastic for local businesses and families,” Mr Wood said.
“Round two of the Coalition’s Mobile Black Spots Program will deliver new or upgraded coverage to 6500 homes and business across 17,500 square kilometres via 266 new or upgraded towers.
“This includes 1900 kilometres of major transport routes.”
Gembrook was nominated following an appeal to the public for areas with black spots that were in most need of better mobile phone coverage.
These locations were entered into the ‘national map’ which was provided to mobile network providers to assist them to develop a funding distribution plan.
“The new base station in La Trobe is due to the efforts of the community in identifying black spot locations and advocating for them to be fixed,” Mr Wood said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said Gembrook residents had raised this issue for many years.
“Improving mobile networks for communities affected by high fire danger keeps both residents and tourists informed, prepared and safe,” Mr Battin said.
“We welcome this funding to address much needed upgrades.”
The locations of all of the 266 base stations can be found on the national map at www.nationalmap.gov.au.
More information about the Coalition Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program can be found at www.communications.gov.au/mbsp.
