‘Game changer’: Labor promises ‘transformational’ $6.5m investment in internet infrastructure

Labor has promised to spend more than $6 million on mobile internet black spots and expand full fibre NBN access on the south coast if elected, as election day draws near.

An estimated 45,000 homes across the south coast could gain access to high-speed, full fibre NBN access, Labor has promised if the party wins the forthcoming federal election.

Labor member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips announced the planned $6.5 million investment on Thursday, with funds also being used to address regional black spots.

Ms Phillips said that in the wake of the Black Summer fires it was clear quality mobile coverage and high-speed internet was critical for communities during disasters.

“I have been working with people across the south coast through our mobile blackspot survey and with Telstra to improve mobile coverage across the electorate,” Ms Phillips said.

“That includes the construction of the new Clyde Mountain Mobile Tower, improved battery backup at mobile phone towers and adding my support to Telstra’s submission to the federal government to fix black spots along the Princes Highway.”

During the Black Summer fires, Ms Phillips said it became apparent that premises that had fibre to the home, which have a battery back-up, were at an advantage.

“We had a lot of communities with fibre to the node that didn’t have that back up,” she said.

“I certainly noticed people contacting my office about that technology mismatch there.

“So certainly that is something that is really important from disaster mitigation.”

Black spots on the Princes Hwy were singled out by Ms Phillips, who was joined on Thursday by shadow minister for communications, Michelle Rolland, as being particularly “dangerous” in times of crisis.

“It’s imperative we reduce those mobile black spots from a safety and emergency perspective,” she said.

With the population on the south coast tipped to grow amid continued regional immigration, Ms Phillips said for many new and old residents, working from home had become the “new normal”, raising the need for good internet.

“I’ve been calling for more ‘Fibre to the Premise’ so that households and businesses can get the high-speed internet they deserve,” she said.

“I’ve heard many stories where people have moved to the area and they hadn’t realised the technologies of fibre to node and then just can’t do that work.

“This is a real game changer for people right across the electorate,” Labor member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said on planned investments in telecoms. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

“Or we’ve got business owners that have to wake up in the middle of the night to pay their bills and invoices because they haven’t got the broadband speed that they need.

“So, this is a real game changer for people right across the electorate.”

The multi-million dollar investment forms part of Labor leader and Prime Minister-hopeful, Anthony Albanese’s plan to upgrade the NBN network.

Under the plan, $3.5 million will be spent addressing mobile black spots along the Princes Hwy, particularly from Batemans Bay to Ulladulla – an area which is notorious for poor reception.

A further $3 million will be spent improving mobile coverage in communities with severe coverage issues, including Jamberoo, Lilli Pilli, Worrigee and Kangaroo Valley, which was recently closed off to the rest of the state for days by landslides.

Former Bega MP Andrew Constance will square off with Labor’s Fiona Phillips when voters go to the polls later this year. Picture: Richard Dobson

On March 24, Liberal candidate for Gilmore and former Bega MP Andrew Constance welcomed investment by the Morrison government in the NBN Network under the 2022-23 federal Budget.

“This technology upgrade will be a great economic boost for local businesses, as they operate increasingly online, and are competing globally,” Mr Constance said.

“It will help businesses grow and in turn help them create more local employment opportunities.”

The suburbs expected to benefit from Labor’s planned upgrade from standard copper wiring to fibre to the premises are:

• Sanctuary Point
• Ulladulla
• Sussex Inlet
• Shoalhaven Heads
• Vincentia
• Gerringong
• Culburra Beach
• Worrigee
• Mollymook Beach
• Batehaven
• North Nowra
• Broulee
• St Georges Basin
• Batemans Bay
• Berry
• Callala Bay
• Tuross Head
• Surf Beach
• Catalina
• Callala Beach
• Huskisson
• Burrill Lake
• Long Beach
• Milton
• Mollymook
• Sunshine Bay
• Narrawallee
• Surfside
• Basin View
• Moruya
• Nowra
• Malua Bay
• Berrara
• Denhams Beach
• Erowal Bay
• Kings Point
• Malua Bay
• Old Erowal Bay