- $2.9 million boost from Cook Government for telecommunications infrastructure in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields
- Automatic Transfer Units to be rolled out to ensure continuity of critical mobile services during an emergency response
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has announced a $2.9 million commitment comprised of $1.9 million of State funding and a $1 million contribution from Telstra to make telecommunications infrastructure more resilient during extreme weather events and power outages across the Wheatbelt and Goldfields regions of Western Australia.
The Western Australian Telstra Automatic Transfer Unit Pilot Deployment Program will help secure critical mobile coverage for emergency services and communities during extended power outages.
Automatic Transfer Units (ATU) enable a community responder to transfer power to a portable generator supply when the mains power fails, enabling mobile and other important communication services to continue.
Earlier this year a supercell thunderstorm across the Wheatbelt and Goldfields region caused widespread disruptions to the region's telecommunications network.
This event highlighted the need for robust back-up systems to enhance regional telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring that essential services and communication remain operational during future emergencies.
The program will see the rollout of 80 ATUs at key locations across the Wheatbelt and Western Goldfields, with deployment to commence by the end of the year. Where needed, portable generators will also be sourced for communities as part of the program.
The locations for ATUs are being finalised in consultation with Telstra, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance Development Commissions and local government authorities.
They will be located at priority locations affected both by the supercell storm and historical extended power outage locations, as well as sites that protect the core network upstream transmission and mobile base stations at the end of line.
Telstra has recently installed an ATU in Mukinbudin and is working with the Shire of Mukinbudin and DFES to test the community response protocols to support the rollout of units in other areas.
Since 2017, the WA Labor Government has committed $154 million to complement Commonwealth and industry investments to advance the State's digital connectivity infrastructure and help bridge the digital divide in the regions.
Comments can be attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"Being able to communicate quickly and effectively during an emergency is critical.
"The Cook Government is committed to continuing to build the resilience and capability of our regional telecommunications infrastructure.
"The rollout of Automatic Transfer Units across the Wheatbelt and Goldfields will help secure essential mobile and communication services to support first responders and regional communities during network outages."
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Every second counts in an emergency and reliable mobile communications are the key to keeping communities up to date with the latest information and in touch with their family and friends.
"Our Government is investing more than $150 million into boosting our frontline emergency services to help protect local communities, and this latest investment will ensure residents will also have improved mobile connectivity to make informed decisions.
"The rollout of these new transfer units at mobile communication sites is yet another step by our Government to safeguard Western Australian communities."
