Boosting community safety in the Northern Rivers through improved telecommunications resilience

Residents of Lismore and the Northern Rivers can feel a little safer after reliable access to mobile networks during disasters, like bushfires and floods, was improved through funding by the Albanese Government’s Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP). 

The Program aims to reduce the risks of service outages during natural disasters and throughout the response and recovery period. 

Round 2 of the MNHP is providing over $2.2 million for 82 projects in NSW, including upgrades to transmission resiliency across 16 connected base stations from Kyogle to Casino and Evans Head to Woodburn.  

Approximately 90 per cent of the 988 Round 1 MNHP projects to improve mobile network telecommunications infrastructure resilience are now complete. Round 2 funding brings the total number of projects to 1,385. 

The MNHP is part of the Albanese Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which is improving mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience. 

The program is driving productivity, economic and social participation for rural, regional and First Nation’s communities and helping to narrow the digital divide. 

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP said, “While no telecommunications network can ever be 100 per cent disaster-proof, the Albanese Government is reducing the risk of communications outages during natural disasters. 

“More than 1000 projects to strengthen telecommunications resilience have now been funded under the Program. 

“Projects like the upgrades across base stations in the northern Rivers will support community safety by helping to mitigate the impacts of service outages during natural disasters, and throughout the response and recovery phase. 

“The MNHP is another example of the Albanese Government delivering on its commitment to improve connectivity for regional, rural, remote Australians.” 

Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister said, “The Northern Rivers have had it tough the last few years through floods and fires, good reliable communication can make the difference.  

“We want to make sure the telecommunications infrastructure in the Northern Rivers is better prepared for future needs. 

“Staying connected during a natural disaster can be the difference between life and death, whether that be receiving the latest information or contacting emergency services. 

The rollout schedule will be published on the grantees’ websites once the contracts have been executed.  

For a full list of funded projects, visit: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/mnhp .