Cooktown, Lockhart River and Seisia residents will soon be connected to 5G voice, mobile and data services thanks to a major upgrade to telecommunications infrastructure in their respective communities.
The multi-million dollar upgrades in the three Cape York Communities will be delivered through the Morrison Government’s highly successful Regional Connectivity Program.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said he had been working extremely closely with Telstra to deliver these critical telecommunication upgrades.
He said local families, businesses and visitors would be better connected and would now have access to world-class telecommunication services.
“This is a welcome investment in our region and particularly for the three respective Cape York communities,” Mr Entsch said.
“We all know and have heard about the telecommunications dramas in Lockhart River and this upgrade should make them a thing of the past.
“The $1,679,350 Lockhart River project will upgrade the Telstra macro cell base station and transmission infrastructure which will significantly boost capacity for service organisations in the community such as police, health and council.
“The project involves two microwave ‘hops’ from the fibre at Batavia Downs to Lockhart River – providing improved handheld coverage to an area of approximately 186 km2.
“The $1,095,300 Seisia project will deliver a new Telstra macro cell base station and will provide new coverage in Seisia, New Mapoon and the surrounding area.
“The project will enable improved voice mobile coverage, wireless broadband and Internet of Things (IoT) network capability for local residents and support an increase in economic activity, particularly for local businesses.
“The $772,400 Cooktown project will deliver a new Telstra macro cell mobile site, providing improved handheld coverage to Cooktown residents, businesses and visitors.
“The project will provide improved handheld coverage to an area of approximately 245 km2 and provide new 4G coverage to the west side of Cooktown, including main thoroughfares, Railway Avenue and Endeavour Valley Road and the Cooktown airport.”
Federal Regional Communications Minister Bridget McKenzie, said the Cooktown, Lockhart River and Seisia projects form part of the Australian Government’s continuing roll-out of the $257 million Regional Connectivity Program.
“I am pleased that residents and businesses in Cooktown, Lockhart River and Seisia will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this project will bring in terms of digital connectivity,” Ms McKenzie said.
“The government has continued to take a collaborative approach with the telecommunications industry and regional and remote communities to make sure that the funded projects are tailored to the needs of each region and are supported by the community.
“This approach has resulted in an opportunity to create real change in the bush.
“As the last two years have shown, digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay healthy and remain in contact with loved ones and also to manage, adapt to and recover from an increasing range of natural disasters.
“These projects will make a difference.”
