The community of Jingellic in Eden-Monaro is now better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters following the installation of a backup NBN Sky Muster satellite service under the Australian Government's Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program at Jingellic Brigade Station.
The Australian Government is protecting communities through the STAND program by investing in improved connectivity for emergency services depots and evacuation centres, improved telecommunications resilience under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP), and portable communications facilities across the country. All of these measures will help to save lives and reduce the impact of natural disasters on the community.
The satellite services being deployed at emergency service depots and community evacuation centres across the country will provide backup and alternative communications facilities. These projects will help ensure emergency services supporting communities such as Jingellic can remain connected through NBN's Sky Muster satellite service during times of disaster when land-based networks are damaged or offline.
STAND-funded assets have proven to be effective in supporting local communities during natural disasters, including the 2022 East Coast Floods in New South Wales and Queensland, the December 2021 and January 2022 Western Australia bushfires, Cyclone Seroja, the June 2021 Victorian and Ingham, Queensland floods.
The Australian Government is also encouraging people to be prepared for natural disasters through a public communications program, including by having a portable radio in emergency kits and notifying family members of travel plans.
