Boost to connectivity

FOUR towns in the Moorabool Shire will receive mobile connectivity upgrades with the backing of Federal Government grants.

Ballan, Gordon, Ingliston, and Dales Creek are among 48 Victorian towns receiving $897,369.55 in Mobile Network Hardening Program grant funding, which will go towards Optus microwave and router upgrades.

The program aims to reduce the risk of service outages during natural disasters and the response and recovery period.

Federal Member for Hawke, Sam Rae, said Moorabool Shire was no stranger to natural disasters interrupting mobile networks, but the funding would help mitigate the issue.

“These critical telecommunication infrastructure upgrades will protect our community in Moorabool when natural disasters strike,” Mr Rae said.

“It will help us to stay connected with friends, family and emergency services during our greatest time of need.”Under the Mobile Network Hardening Program, 386 projects are sharing round two funding worth $14.2 million.

“More than 1000 projects to strengthen telecommunications resilience have now been funded under the Program,” Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, said.

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

For more information on the program, and a full list of funded projects, visit infrastructure.gov.au/mnhp.