Member for Hume Angus Taylor has welcomed the updated rollout schedules from Telstra and Vodafone of Mobile Black Spot towers in the western regions of the electorate.

A Telstra tower at Darbys Falls near Cowra is due for switch-on by the first half of this year as is a Vodafone tower at Woodstock.

Planning for the Binalong Telstra tower is due to start later this year (completion in 2017) while the Murringo site (also Telstra) is on schedule for a 2018 start.

Vodafone towers for Gooloogong, Cultowa, Noonbinna, Billimari and Koorawatha are due for completion by the first or second quarters of 2017.

Mr Taylor said the Coalition Government was determined to boost mobile phone coverage across regional and rural Australia, and the Mobile Black Spot Programme was an ongoing demonstration of that commitment.

“The rollout of base stations funded under Round 1 of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot programme is quickly gathering momentum in the western parts of the electorate, meaning significantly improved mobile coverage is on its way,” Mr Taylor said.

The Government committed $100 million through Round 1 which is delivering 499 new and upgraded mobile base stations across Australia.

An additional $60 million has been committed for Round 2 of the programme. Locations of new or upgraded base stations to be funded under Round 2 are expected to be announced by the end of 2016.

The rollout sequence is being determined by Telstra and Vodafone based on various factors, such as obtaining local government planning approval and landowner agreement where necessary, and/or the ability to access existing infrastructure, power and backhaul.

For more information about the Mobile Black Spot Programme visit www.communications.gov.au/mobile_coverage  or www.telstra.com.au/blackspots or http://community.vodafone.com.au/t5/Vodafone-Blog/Mobile-Black-Spot-Programme-Announcement/ba-p/407934