The Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is calling on the NSW Government to revive a program that once brought mobile phone coverage to towns across the region, as communities in areas including Werris Creek and Manilla continue to struggle with poor connectivity.
Mr Anderson raised the issue in parliament this week, urging the government to reinstate programs such as the Connecting Country Communities Mobile Black Spot Program and the Regional Connectivity Program, which he says were cut after the last state election.
“Reliable connectivity shouldn’t depend on your postcode, but far too many people across our region are left frustrated, angry, and climbing the nearest hill just to send an email,” Mr Anderson said.
The Connecting Country Communities Mobile Black Spot Program ran under the former state Coalition Government from 2018 and worked with telecommunications providers to identify coverage gaps and install or upgrade towers. Mr Anderson said it delivered 10 new base stations across the Tamworth electorate, in towns including Barraba, Attunga, Moonbi, Oxley Vale, Woolomin, Piallamore and Westdale.
Since that program ended, Mr Anderson says the situation has worsened, partly due to the national shutdown of the 3G network, which he says has left residents with less service and slower internet than before.
“I’ve been working with communities like Werris Creek and Manilla to push for better connectivity, but more needs to be done.”
“The former state Coalition Government stepped up in 2018 to boost the regional network through the Connecting Country Community Black Spot Program. This program partnered with telcos to identify mobile blackspots and install and upgrade towers.”
“The program delivered 10 new base stations across the Tamworth electorate including in Barraba, Attunga, Moonbi, Oxley Vale, Woolomin, Piallamore, Westdale and more.”
Connectivity is a broader concern across the New England. Bingara has had long-running unresolved coverage issues, and the Torrington community has identified poor mobile service as a key vulnerability following the recent violent home invasion against Keith and Dianne Blessing, with locals saying the ability to call for help was severely compromised by the lack of reliable coverage in the area.
Mr Anderson said he had written to the Minister for Regional NSW seeking a solution and had also raised Werris Creek’s connectivity issues directly in parliament.
“That program was cut at the last election, but I’m calling on the government to reinstate the funding.
“The closure of the 3G network has not helped the problem with people experiencing less service and slower internet since.”
“I’ve written to the Minister for Regional NSW asking for a solution for the region. I’ve also taken Werris Creek’s issues to parliament,” he said.
“I’ll keep pushing because the digital divide is becoming a regional disadvantage and that’s not good enough.”
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