Cowra district residents will receive improved mobile phone coverage from new mobile phone towers to be built at Noonbinna, Darbys Falls, Koorawatha, Woodstock, Cultowa, Billimari and Gooloogong.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said 18 new or upgraded base stations would be built in Hume.

“After we mapped the electorate to show government and telecommunications companies where the black spots were and where to best locate new towers, Hume has done particularly well,” Mr Taylor said. 

“Seven towers will be built on greenfields sites or using existing infrastructure in the broader Cowra area and will extend coverage to a number of local communities, as well as to parts of Cowra township.”

Residents have thanked Angus. “It’s very exciting news for Gooloogong. As a little town, it’s great to be recognised and for issues to be addressed,” said Emma Gosper.

“By securing a mobile phone tower for Gooloogong, you have secured my vote forever. Thank you and your party,” said local resident Rick Orr.

Mr Taylor said towers across Hume would be located for maximum signal spread and the benefit would be shared by many, because coverage would also extend along a number of roads and highway sections, including:

·         George Russell Drive – between Woodstock and Canowindra

·         Grenfell-Orange Road – between Grenfell and Gooloogong

·         Lachlan Valley Way – between Cowra and Boorowa

·         Merriganowry Road – between Lachlan Valley Way and Canowindra Rd

·         Mid Western Highway – between Lyndhurst and Woodstock

·         Murringo Road – between Boorowa and Young

·         Olympic Highway – between Wattamondara and Koorawatha

“In total, 74 of the 139 mobile black spots nominated in Hume will receive coverage via handheld phones or via an external antenna on the roof or car (or both). The total funding package to Hume is $10.41 million, including $2.76 million from the Federal Government under the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

“We will be dramatically improving mobile phone coverage across a vast area of the electorate and I am delighted to be able to share such good news,” Mr Taylor said.

He said in addition to the $100 million in Commonwealth funding for Round 1 of the national programme, a further $60 million had been announced for Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme, and Telstra had committed to build 200 new 4G mini base stations, to offer further opportunities to fix mobile black spots.