‘Save lives’: ARNIs to help FNQ towns get word out during and after disasters

Far North communities in communication blackout after a natural disaster will be able to reconnect using satellite-powered communication trailers that are now in place ahead of the wet season.

Member for Barron River, Bree James, called for the Far North’s two new telecommunications trailers to be purchased while campaigning prior to the last state election. Picture: Samuel Davis

Stranded Far North communities will be able to reconnect with the outside world faster following a disaster with custom-built satellite-powered communication trailers now in place ahead of the wet season.

Police Minister Dan Purdie unveiled two Airbridge Resilient Network Infrastructure trailers in Manunda, worth $200,000, on Tuesday powered by high-capacity battery systems and Starlink satellite technology.

The state government says two ARNI telecommunications trailers, worth $200,000, are part of an election commitment to strengthen emergency capability in remote communities. Picture: Samuel Davis

The state-of-the-art technology, developed in the Far North, will help the SES deliver critical messages to and from cyclone and flood-stricken areas, Mr Purdie said.

“Places like Cairns know all too well the disasters that those high-risk weather seasons can bring,” Mr Purdie said.

“They also know how important it is to ensure that we have information and communication, not only to our communities but that they’re informed about pending developments and remain in contact with their loved ones and emergency services.”

“We know that this investment will save lives because every second matters.”

SES regional director, Wayne Coutts, discusses the capacity of two new satellite-powered ARNI trailers delivered to the Far Northern SES to restore communications during natural disasters in Manunda. Picture: Samuel Davis

Member for Barron River, Bree James said telecommunications failures in Caravonica following flooding after Tropical Cyclone Jasper had left residents isolated and afraid.

“It was a terrible time for the community,” Ms James said.

“They couldn’t ring anyone because the phone lines were down, they couldn’t get mobile reception.

“It was difficult for our first responders also to communicate with each other and communications was a really big problem.”

Mulgrave MP Terry James says new trailers for the SES will allow emergency services to more rapidly establish telecommunications following a natural disaster than before. Picture: Samuel Davis

Mulgrave MP, Terry James, who was chair of the Cairns disaster management group during TC Jasper, said communication could be the difference between life-and-death during a severe weather event.

“(After TC Jasper), the first thing that happened (in Cairns) when the flooding took out the batteries was that we lost communication,” Mr James said.

“So this is critical that we have trailers like this, satellite trailers, ready, waiting to be deployed to get that communication going so we can help anybody and everyone around our area.”

The AirBridge Networks mobile ARNI control unit. Picture: Supplied

Mr Purdie said future trailers may be able to be flown into remote communities with further developments in drone technology to be further explored.

“We want to make sure that the communities and our first responders have access to the best technology, and maybe sooner rather than later we’ll be back talking about that,” he said.

“We’re investing in that heavily, and there’s prototypes available … we’ll continue to invest in that technology in anything the experts tell us that they need, on the ground, to protect their people.”

Member for Cook, David Kempton, whose electorate was severely impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and flooding, didn’t attend the press conference.

Originally published as ‘Save lives’: ARNIs to help FNQ towns get word out during and after disasters