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• Cook Labor Government improving digital connectivity across regional Western Australia
• Twelve new or improved fixed wireless masts and towers completed in the South West under the Regional Connectivity Program Round 2

Regional Development Minister Don Punch today welcomed the delivery of a suite of 12 new or improved fixed wireless masts and towers that will boost digital connectivity for regional and farming communities in the South West.

The new telecommunications infrastructure will enhance fixed wireless broadband services to businesses and residents around Busselton and Harvey.

The infrastructure boost has been made possible by the Cook Government partnering with telecommunications provider Swoop to deliver the project, with $1 million in State funding invested to access the Federal Government’s Regional Connectivity Program.

In the Busselton area, four 40-metre-high towers will deliver enterprise grade fixed wireless broadband services spanning approximately 1,100 square kilometres.

In the Harvey-Brunswick area, new or upgraded towers have been installed at eight sites including Bunbury and Australind, which will deliver services across 1,200 square kilometres.

Both projects cover more than 25,000 premises across 19 postcodes in the Busselton and Harvey regions.

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

“The Cook Labor Government has been working hard to expand the reach and strengthen regional telecommunications to support people living and working in regional WA.

“This recently completed project will help deliver improved broadband connectivity for residents and businesses in the South West region.

“Since 2017, the WA Labor Government has committed $154 million to complement Commonwealth and industry investments in our State’s telecommunications infrastructure and will continue to work with the Commonwealth to bridge the ‘digital divide’ in regional WA.”

Comments attributed to Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland:

“Every Australian deserves access to fast, reliable and affordable connectivity regardless of where they live.

“Labor’s vision is for Australia to be the most connected continent and we are delivering on this.

“Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has been working to bridge the digital divide with a focus on regional communities in Western Australia.

“These fixed wireless upgrades will make a meaningful difference to residents, local businesses and visitors to the Busselton and Harvey regions.

“It builds upon the Albanese and Cook Governments’ collaboration to boost connectivity, for example the recent $16 million joint funding announcement to deliver better mobile coverage along highways and major roads for Western Australians who live, work or holiday in regional and remote areas.”