Boost for Natural Disaster Resilience across Grey
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Minister for Communications
Member for Greenway
Senator Karen Grogan
Chair of the Senate Standing Committee of Environment and Communications
Senator for South Australia
MEDIA RELEASE
Boost for natural disaster resilience across Grey
Communities across Grey, SA are now better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters following the installation of backup NBN Sky Muster satellite services under the Australian Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program at Crystal Brook, Cleve, Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Wallaroo, Kadina and Moonta.
The Eastern, Western and Lower Eyre Country Fire Service Group Bases, the Country Fire Service Unit at Crystal Brook, the Country Fire Service’s Region Six Headquarters, and the Port Lincoln, Wallaroo, Kadina and Moonta Metropolitan Fire Services all received satellite upgrades through the program.
The Australian Government is protecting communities through the STAND program by investing in improved connectivity for emergency services depots and evacuation centres, improved telecommunications resilience under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP), and portable communications facilities across the country. All of these measures will help to save lives and reduce the impact of natural disasters on the community.
The satellite services being deployed at emergency service depots and community evacuation centres across the country will provide backup and alternative communications facilities. These projects will help ensure emergency services supporting communities across Grey during times of natural disaster can remain connected when land-based networks are damaged or offline.
STAND funded assets have proven to be effective, providing support to local communities following natural disasters such as the 2022 East Coast Floods in New South Wales and Queensland, December 2021 and January 2022 Western Australia bushfires, Cyclone Seroja, the June 2021 Victorian and Ingham, Queensland floods.
For more information on the STAND program, go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/stand
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the investments and infrastructure which local communities need to be better prepared for natural disasters.
“These projects across Grey are among over one thousand delivered so far under the program, with the remaining projects to be completed later this year.
“While no network can ever be 100 per cent disaster-proof, these investments will go a long way towards ensuring local residents can stay connected in the most difficult times, especially to access potentially lifesaving information and advice”.
Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia, Senator Karen Grogan:
“Staying connected during a disaster can be the difference between life and death, whether that be receiving the latest information or contacting emergency services.
“These projects are a major boost for Grey and will help ensure we minimise the risk of local communications network disruptions when disasters strike.
“I am pleased the Albanese Labor Government is listening to the community and making significant inroads toward more resilient communications infrastructure to keep local residents safe and informed.