Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed Vodafone's announcement that a new mobile phone tower is to be switched on in the Girard State Forest, east of Tenterfield, this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"The Bruxner Highway between Tenterfield and Drake still hasn't got complete mobile phone coverage, so the new Vodafone tower can't come soon enough. This is another piece of vital telecommunications infrastructure that I have been fighting for - for motorists and those who live in the Girard State Forest area", Mr Joyce said.
READ ALSO:
Vodafone had planned to build a base station at Sandy Hills but due to unforeseen build and design requirements, this was not possible and the alternate Girard Hill Top was chosen.
The Girard Hill Top site will provide coverage to both the Sandy Hills and Mount Carrington black spot locations and is currently forecast to be on air by June 30.
Vodafone tower is part of the Federal Government's $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program.
"Recently new mobile phone towers were switched on at Copeton Dam, Weabonga, and Torrington - three of the 45 new mobile base stations that I have secured so far for the New England and there are more to come," Mr Joyce said.
"The Australian Government recently launched Round 5A of the Mobile Black Spot Program. With applications now open, I have already begun the fight for the New England Electorate to be allocated more mobile phone towers via Round 5A.
"In the meantime, I'd like to congratulate Vodafone for persevering with Girard Hill Top tower and can't wait to be on site to help officially open it later this year.
