Mobile phone towers in Mallee will be able to keep operating longer if the power goes out during or after natural disasters, thanks to a major new investment by the Morrison McCormack Government.

The Government is funding Telstra and Optus to extend the battery back up at 15 mobile phone towers in Mallee, to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said telecommunications, including mobile phone towers, need reliable power sources to operate.

“Telecommunications – including mobile phone towers – rely on power to operate. This investment will allow mobile phone towers to keep operating for at least 12 hours after the power goes out, making a real difference for communities during and after a natural disaster,” Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said.

Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster MP said extending the battery life of the mobile phone towers would increase telecommunications resilience in the Wimmera and Mallee

“The Morrison McCormack government is investing in battery back-up to keep mobile phone towers operating longer when the power goes out during or after natural disasters,” Dr Webster said.

“This includes towers at Amphitheatre, Laharum, Lake Meran, Nullawil, Wartook Valley, Yaapeet, Chetwynd, Connewirricoo, Korong Vale, Landsborough, Landsborough West, Marnoo, Moonambel, Netherby and Wallup

The Government is providing a total of $13.2 million to Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery back up at 467 mobile phone towers across Australia, under stage one of the program.

More information on the program is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.