The rollout of mobile blackspot phone towers is gathering pace in the Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan regions.

Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced that completion of the Windellama tower has been brought forward by several months to June (at the latest) this year, while the Golspie tower was also due for switch-on sometime in 2016.

Planning for the Dalton tower is complete, with switch-on next year - while the Tarlo and Mayfield (east of Tarago) towers should be operational from 2018, according to Telstra.

“These are among the 18 base stations for Hume funded under Round 1 of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot programme,” Mr Taylor said.

“It’s fantastic news that Telstra has brought forward the switch-on date for the Windellama tower to June this year.

“And the Golspie tower isn’t far away either. The rollout of Mobile Black Spot towers in the Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan local government areas is really gaining momentum, meaning significantly improved mobile coverage is on its way.

“The Government has committed $100 million through Round 1 of the programme which is delivering 499 new and upgraded mobile base stations across Australia - and Hume did very well.

“The Coalition Government is determined to boost mobile phone coverage across regional and rural Australia, and the Mobile Black Spot Programme is an ongoing demonstration of that commitment.”

The Coalition Government has committed an additional $60 million 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.

For more information about the Mobile Black Spot Programme visit www.communications.gov.au/mobile_coverage  or www.telstra.com.au/blackspots .