The Victorian Government has announced it will improve mobile connectivity in western Victoria through the installation of a new mobile tower and upgrades to existing infrastructure.
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Jaala Pulford, today announced partnerships with Optus and TPG Telecom to deliver a new mobile tower and upgrade five existing towers from 4G to 5G through the government’s Connecting Victoria program.
The work will be carried out between 2023 and 2024 to deliver improved services across 103 square kilometres in Wendouree and northern Ballarat, benefiting more than 34,000 households.
The Minister said residents and businesses in Addington, Bakery Hill, Ballarat Central, Black Hill, Cardigan, Golden Point, Invermay, Invermay Park, Lake Gardens, Lake Wendouree, Learmonth, Miners Rest, Mount Bolton, Mitchell Park, Mount Pleasant, Mount Rowan, Newington, Redan, Wendouree and Weatherboard can look forward to improved coverage.
“The last couple of years has shown us just how important a decent connection is and I’m excited to be bringing Connecting Victoria to Ballarat,” said Ms Pulford.
Earlier this year the Labor Government released its Connecting Victoria engagement report, voicing the needs of more than 11,000 Victorians for better mobile and broadband connections.
Key feedback from the report highlighted that improved mobile services are needed in this area to keep up with population growth, helping to boost tourism and the local economy.
Minister Pulford said more projects in locations across the state, including Ballarat, will be announced throughout 2022.