Member for New England Barnaby Joyce is calling for more investment into the mobile phone coverage in his electorate, urging mobile service providers to deliver on funding being provided by the Australian Government.

Mr Joyce canvassed all 10 local councils in his electorate on their priority areas and advised major providers Telstra, Optus and TPG where mobile coverage was needed most.

These areas include but are not limited to parts of the Golden Highway near Merriwa in the Upper Hunter, Yetman Road in the Inverell Shire, Upper Horton and the outskirts of Bingara, Blue Mountain near Uralla, Bruxner Highway in the Tenterfield Shire, parts of the Gwydir Highway at Glen Innes, Acacia Park industrial area in Armidale, Yarrowitch in the Walcha Shire, Werris Creek in the Liverpool Plains and Hanging Rock in the Tamworth Shire.

“The funding is there, the community need is evident, so it is imperative the service providers get these phone towers built,” Mr Joyce said.

“The Australian Government’s $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program has already delivered four rounds of this program and committed funding for at least another two more.

“The Government is doing its part and providing the infrastructure capital, so we implore the providers to look at these locations and others I’ve noted in my correspondence to further improve local communications.

“I am very proud of the fact I’ve already secured 45 new and upgraded base stations here in the New England but I know there is more to do to improve mobile coverage for all residents, no matter their geographical location.”  

(ENDS)