Funds a 'huge win' for region

Friday December 15, 2023

EMERGENCY services will be easier to contact following the federal government's $15 million announcement into the Telstra telecommunications project.

Earlier this week the state and federal government announced the complete funding of the $27m proposal to build 27 telecommunications towers across the Limestone Coast.

Minister for Forestry and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the outcome was "fantastic" for the Limestone Coast following a "lot of hard work" from all three tiers of government.

"This is a real collaboration and that has been the key for getting this federal government funding so we can now have improved access across the entire Limestone Coast for connectivity which is going to help in terms of business, training, health, tourism and it is a fantastic result," Ms Scriven said.

"There has been a lot of work to get that collaboration and we all know it is difficult to get everyone cooperating but this is such an important project that we have been able to use and utilising the funding from the federal, state and local government as well as industries."

She said the collaboration between industry - such as Telstra and the South Australian Forest Product Association - was unique which was why the funding was successful.

"To have industry support, in this case SAFPA, is a really important part of the project and I know there is also input and consultation with other industries such as the fishing industry and the dairy industry so I do congratulate all of the advocates which includes the industry advocates who have been able to be working on this with the State Government and all the other players to deliver this excellent outcome," she said.

"Connectivity across the region will be improved which is going to help for all the emergency services but also for users of other networks other than Telstra because they will be able to utilise this by dialling triple-zero if they are in an area where the service provider does not cover them."

Ms Scriven said her understanding was the project would "pretty much" fix most of the black spots across the region from past Bordertown right down to Port MacDonnell.

"That is a really good outcome for the entire region," she said.

"I think we are all aware of the risks around connectivity issues and that is why the state government along with local government and federal government and industry has been willing to invest so much into this program."

SAFPA chief executive officer Nathan Paine said the announcement was the "last piece of the puzzle" and represented a "huge win" for the region.

"This project will improve regional equity, productivity and increase the resilience of communication services and public safety," Mr Paine said.

"It will be bridging the gap between metropolitan and regional South Australia, and will drive economic growth, social equity and ensure everyone in our regions has access to information and digital opportunities.

"For forestry, connectivity and quick access to data will not just improve the productivity levels of forest and timber industries but will drive the next generation of technological advancement, whether that be autonomous vehicles, better mapping our estate, improved fire detection or increased domestic manufacturing to name just a few essentially embracing a future of digital forests."

He said the improved connectivity was not only crucial for road users and public safety but also for the forestry industry in the event of a bushfire.

"Connectivity adds another layer of bushfire protection for the South East agricultural industries, who can act quicker in their response to bushfires and minimise the risk to surrounding communities," Mr Paine said.

Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell also welcomed the news and its benefits for emergency services.

The towers are expected to be completed within two years of the official contracts being signed.

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