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A $16 million state-federal funding deal to improve mobile road coverage in Western Australia (WA) should also improve communication during disasters.
The funding is part of a federal $50m Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program (RRAMP) to help improve safety, economic growth, communication and regional development in key road corridors.
Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland says the WA Government will get $8m to address gaps in mobile coverage.
The state government will match that funding with $8m of its own and focus on improving coverage along the Albany Highway (Bedfordale to Albany Airport) and Great Eastern Highway (Bullabulling to Meckering).
The WA Government says that the pilot program will boost mobile coverage during disasters and other emergencies.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister says the aim of the program is to ensure “that, no matter where you live, you are in the best possible position to respond to disasters, particularly as we approach bushfire season”.
“In a disaster, every second counts, and being able to receive information and maintain contact with family, friends and neighbours is crucial,” she says.
“I’m extremely pleased that this pilot program will deliver connection for more Australians when they need it most.”
WA Regional Development Minister Don Punch says the new pilot program will make a “meaningful difference” to communities and businesses in regional WA with access to fast, reliable mobile services.
“The program will see significant infrastructure upgrades, boosting coverage along two
major corridors in the Wheatbelt, Goldfields, and Great Southern regions.”
HELP FOR COUNCILS
In June, the WA Government spent $4 million on helping 27 local councils prepare for the bushfire season.
The funding will be used to conduct 635 mitigation activities in high-risk areas on state land managed by local councils; activities include mechanical treatments to reduce fuel levels, the creation of firebreaks and planned burns.
The shires of Carnarvon and Shark Bay received funding for the first time.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson says local councils need support.
“With a changing climate, bushfire seasons are running longer and fire conditions are becoming more challenging,” he said.
He pointed out that the government had spent an extra $140 million on equipping our first responders to fight fires.
The minister says there were more than 5000 bushfires statewide reported last season, which burnt out more than 9.5 million hectares compared to 4017 fires and more than 2.8 million hectares burnt in 2022-23.
