Premier marks milestones of western shire telecommunications

Published Wednesday, 30 November, 2016 at 03:28 PM

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

A telecommunications breakthrough project for the far western Queensland shires of Barcoo and Diamantina is delivering high-speed internet to the region after a decade-long campaign for better services, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.

Speaking to State Parliament today, the Premier said the Palaszczuk Government had provided $6.25 million for the project to use 600 kilometres of fibre optic cable to connect the towns of Stonehenge, Jundah, Windorah, Birdsville and Bedourie.

The project, designed and built by Telstra and to operate on Telstra’s network, has also been funded by the Federal Government and both local councils.

“For more than a decade, these communities have sought the support from successive governments for better telecommunication services. My Government has answered their call,” she said.

“We know the importance of telecommunications to the lives and livelihoods of the people of rural and remote Queensland.

“My Government knows the importance of telecommunications for these communities, particularly in terms of health, education and emergency services as for business and industry.”

The Premier said the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to improving telecommunication services in rural and remote Queensland was highlighted by its investment, announced in the 2016-17 Budget, of $15 million to further improve mobile coverage in Queensland.

“This commitment builds on the State Government’s $10 million contribution to round one of the Commonwealth’s Mobile Black Spot Program,” the Premier said.

Mayor of Barcoo Shire Council Bruce Scott said:

“At times I didn’t think I would ever see the day when someone could use a mobile phone in Windorah except for taking photos and checking the time - well today it has happened, and we in Barcoo Shire have many of you to thank for this legacy, and the opportunities that the switching on of modern 4G mobile technology can do for the social and economic future for this and the other Barcoo Shire communities.” 

“I am so sure that without this mobile telephony and the other high bandwidth services soon to be commissioned, our future would have looked very different and very bleak to say the least. We are so grateful for the opportunities in innovation, education, economic growth, enhanced health services, social inclusion, startups, investment in businesses - the list is long and we can now get on with making our communities sustainable, growing in capacity and strength in capability.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791