The Morrison Government is improving connectivity for Australians living on the urban fringes of our major cities, today announcing $28.2 million for 66 successful projects to improve mobile coverage, competition and address blackspots, including four new sites in Canning.

The investments complement the Coalition’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, which is improving mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote Australia by building more than 1,200 mobile base stations in regional and remote areas, with over 1,000 already built.

The Minister for Communications, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said, said the Morrison Government is committed to improving mobile connectivity for people living in outer urban areas as part of its plan for a strong economy and a stronger future for Australia. 

“Improving coverage on the urban fringe will help communities access vital information during emergencies, seek help if needed and stay in touch with loved ones,” Minister Fletcher said. 

Federal Member for Canning, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP said “Today I am pleased to announce we are building new mobile sites to improve coverage for people living in and travelling through Bedfordale, Byford, Cardup, and Whitby.” 

“We have delivered better mobile coverage throughout Canning through the Mobile Black Spot Program. Today’s announcement builds on that record and is particularly significant for bushfire prone communities in the area. These towers will service fast-growing areas, and help people stay connected and run their businesses.”

The new mobile sites in Canning will be:

• An Optus site in Byford North;
• A TPG site in Byford West;
• An Optus site in Byford West; and
• A Telstra site at Churchman Brook Exchange in Bedfordale. 

The 66 successful projects were selected through a competitive assessment, with funding awarded based on the coverage outcomes provided by each solution, under a grants program that was first announced in the 2021-22 Budget as part of the Digital Economy Strategy.

Eligibility for future funding will be expanded beyond our major capital cities to include the urban fringe of other major urban areas including Geelong, Wollongong, Gosford, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin and Canberra.

The investments complement the Coalition’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, which is improving mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote Australia by building more than 1,200 mobile base stations, with over 1,000 already built.

In contrast to the Morrison Government’s record of building more than 1,000 mobile base stations across Australia, Labor did build a single mobile base station during six years in office.

Only the Morrison Government will continue to deliver a better future for Canning, and this is part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.