Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed an injection of more than $130 million in the Federal Budget to improve connectivity in regional, rural, and remote communities.
“The Regional Connectivity Program has proved vital in New England with several projects worth around $4.5 million already announced under Round 1,” Mr Joyce said.
Round 1 projects:
- $3,967,392 for a fixed wireless network comprising 10 greenfield 45m towers and two co-locations to provide high-speed broadband to the Gunnedah Shire and to neighbouring areas in the Liverpool Plains and Tamworth Regional LGAs.
- $520,018 at Guyra to boost connectivity along Elm Street and the New England Highway to support operations at the Costa Group’s hydroponic tomato glasshouse facility. This project will upgrade the NBN access technology from Sky Muster Satellite to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) to support expanding business operations, including administration, research and horticultural production.
Mr Joyce said he was pleased that more New England residents and businesses will enjoy the benefits and opportunities that improved digital connectivity brings.
“I encourage businesses to apply for funding under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program and look forward to seeing more communities take advantage of this visionary program,” Mr Joyce said.
Minister for Regional Communications, Mark Coulton, said the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving connectivity across regional Australia is reaping rewards for the whole nation.
“We have seen how improving digital connectivity drives economic growth for the nation and by investing a further $130 million in the Regional Connectivity Program, the Coalition Government is doubling-down on the success of existing measures,” Mr Coulton said.
Further details will be published in the 2021-22 Budget documents.
(ENDS)