Efforts to bolster community resilience and safety in the Eden-Monaro region have been strengthened with the announcement of four new connectivity upgrades through Round 3 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP). The initiative, led by the Federal Government, aims to fortify mobile telecommunications infrastructure to ensure reliability during natural disasters.
PHOTO: Kristy McBain, Member for Eden Monaro (left) and Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications (left).
Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, emphasised the importance of robust connectivity during emergencies, stating, “Communities in Eden-Monaro know that during disasters conditions on the ground can change rapidly – which is why having access to reliable connectivity to receive emergency information and to keep in touch with family and friends is crucial.”
The upgrades include the installation of portable and permanent generators, backup power equipment with 12 to 20-hour battery capacity, and strengthened towers to endure extreme weather conditions. Key sites in the Snowy Monaro region, specifically Cooma, Dry Plain, and Pender Lea, are set for battery capacity enhancements, while Bermagui in the Bega Valley will also receive similar upgrades.
The program has broader implications for the entire Eden-Monaro electorate, underpinning previous successes from Round 2, which included upgrades across regions such as Adelong, Batlow, and Tumut.
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, highlighted the government’s commitment to public safety, noting, “Round 3 of the MNHP will provide an additional $9.8 million to help hundreds more communities stay safe and informed when they need it the most… Labor will not leave Australians to fend for themselves when it comes to public-safety connectivity.”
With the upgrades, residents of the Snowy Monaro region can expect reduced risk of communication outages and faster restoration of services during crises.