Palaszczuk Government invests in digital infrastructure

The Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing investment in digital infrastructure is improving the lives of Queenslanders, Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said today (Tuesday).

Ms Enoch said the new infrastructure is connecting the state’s regions, communities and businesses to the digital economy.

“In Australia the digital economy is worth $79 billion and is rapidly transforming the way we work and live,” Ms Enoch said.

“It is vital that we have the digital infrastructure in place to enable all Queenslanders to realise the opportunities available to them in the global digital economy.

“Unlike the lazy Newman-Nicholls LNP Government, we are working with all levels of government, as well as telecommunications providers, local communities and industry to make a real difference to communities across the state.”

Ms Enoch - as Ministerial Champion for the Wujal Wujal Community in Far North Queensland – recently announced council was awarded $1.1 million through the government’s Works for Queensland program.

“A significant portion of this funding will be used to create a high-speed wireless network and digital forum, supporting more than 14 jobs and enabling reliable communications for a community that has struggled with an inadequate telecommunications service,” she said.

“I was also pleased to announce the government, through the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI), is providing an additional $274,000 to boost digital connectivity for Wujal Wujal and the neighbouring community of Ayton.”

Ms Enoch said DSITI has also committed just under $24 million across the two rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

“This commitment is delivering 144 new and improved mobile base stations to communities across 54 different councils. All towers will be rolled out by the end of 2018,” she said.

“These base stations will provide an overall increase in mobile coverage of more than 80,000 square kilometres including 2,000 km of major transport routes and local roads, and more than 20,000 premises.

“Our government worked closely with mobile operators and regional councils to identify community priorities for state co-funding support, and encouraged councils to consider co-funding proposals to help secure federal funding for their priority locations.”

Ms Enoch also acknowledged regional infrastructure funding programs being managed by the Department of State Development.

She said the Barcoo-Diamantina region received $6.25 million to link the towns of Windorah, Jundah, Stonehenge, Birdsville and Bedourie through an optical fibre network.

This new network is enabling the delivery of high speed internet and 4G mobile services to the region.

“The Palaszczuk Government clearly recognises the vital role it has to play in ensuring the state has access to world-class digital infrastructure,” Ms Enoch said.

ENDS

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