State signals mobile boost

GROWING Bellarine communities are among the beneficiaries of a mobile connectivity plan that will see more than 700 improvement projects rolled out across regional Victoria.

The state government has planned a multi-million-dollar improvement to digital infrastructure across Victoria in partnership with major telecommunications providers.

Drysdale is set to be one of the big winners across the Bellarine, with three new phone towers due to come online within the next four years.
Ocean Grove and Leopold would also get three towers, while Barwon Heads, Conewarre, Marcus Hill, Wallington and Curlewis are also in line for upgrades to their mobile coverage.

The state government has partnered with five telco providers – Axicom, ENE.HUB, Optus, Telstra and TPG Telecom – for its catalogue of projects across Victoria, which will include 309 new mobile towers, upgrade of 492 towers to 5G, adapting 170 towers for use by multiple providers and improving natural disaster resilience of 137 towers.

The mobile infrastructure projects would be finished by 2026 and would be the result of a $250-million government investment that would improve coverage for 23,500 square kilometres of Victoria.

Digital Economy Minister Jaala Pulford said the improvements would be of benefit to resdidents, businesses and visitors.

“This massive program will make Victoria the best-connected state, helping local businesses create the jobs and industries of the future,” she said.

“Over two million households will have faster speeds for healthcare, school, work and staying in touch with loved ones.”