Regional and rural Victoria is set for an upgrade to its mobile coverage, with the announcement 32 new mobile base stations will be built across the state.
Under round four of the Liberal and National Government's Mobile Black Spot Program, $21.7 million will be invested in mobile infrastructure in Victoria.
This includes $6.5 million funding from the Commonwealth and $5.8 million from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Regional Services and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the stations would dramatically improve mobile coverage in regional and remote communities.
"Reliable and effective mobile communications are a key driver of the enormous contribution that our regions make to Australia's economic growth," Ms McKenzie said.
"Greater availability of mobile services is a big deal; it means staying safe in remote areas, keeping in contact with family and friends, unlocking access to online health and education services as well as increased tourism and business opportunities."
Base stations under the first three rounds of the program are scheduled to be operational by 30 June, 2019.
Round four base stations are expected to roll out shortly, with the first new base stations being activated by the second half of the year.
The locations include:
- Barfold
- Bealiba
- Bellfield
- Berringama
- Berrys Creek
- Calder Highway (Site 1)
- Cape Conran
- Chum Creek
- Freeburgh/Smoko
- Glenloth East
- Grampians Rd (Halls Gap to Dunkeld)
- Graytown
- Grenville
- Jancourt East
- Langkoop
- Licola
- Lima South (Midland Highway)
- Manorina
- Maude
- Merricks
- Mooralla
- Mount Alfred
- Sandhill Lake
- Teesdale
- Telopea Downs
- Toolleen
- Toolondo
- Wilkur
- Wongarra
- Wye River
- Yanac
