General News
18 May, 2022
Funding to boost Noorat service
MEMBER for Wannon Dan Tehan visited Noorat last Thursday to announce more than $700,000 in funding to boost mobile reception.
MEMBER for Wannon Dan Tehan visited Noorat last Thursday to announce more than $700,000 in funding to boost mobile reception.
Mr Tehan was joined by Corangamite Shire councillors and members of the community to unveil $708,300 in federal funding to deploy a new Telstra macro cell mobile site.
The upgrade is designed to improve handheld coverage in the Noorat area, which Mr Tehan said he hopes to see up and running within three to six months.
“I am thrilled that the residents, businesses and visitors to Noorat will enjoy the benefits and opportunities that improved digital connectivity brings,” Mr Tehan said.
“What it will mean is you will be able to get better coverage using your mobile device, so all going well you’ll be able to get very good coverage whenever you want to use your device.
“I have been working closely with these communities to deliver digital improvements, and this announcement will help keep businesses connected, families can stay in touch, and we can better access, health, education, and online services, on the go.”
Corangamite Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein welcomed the funding commitment, which has been awarded regardless of the election outcome.
“It’s absolutely fantastic news to hear Noorat is going to have improved mobile coverage,” she said.
“It has been brought to council’s attention that for many years mobile coverage in Noorat hasn’t been up to scratch, even to a point where when we have council meetings at the Noorat Recreation Reserve there is no internet or mobile coverage."
“We’re delighted to receive the funding for what is a priority for the Corangamite Shire, and we’re looking at broadband infrastructure at Simpson and Port Campbell to further improve service.”
Noorat resident Lynn Patzel welcomed the funding after previously experiencing issues accessing Telehealth services.
“It is difficult to get a connection, so after I got the appointment service dropped out 15-minutes later and remained out while I had the appointment over the phone,” she said.
“The specialist asked if I was close enough to pop in and finish my appointment in Geelong, which of course I’m not."
“The reception has been unsatisfactory.”
Corangamite Shire councillor Geraldine Conheady, a Noorat resident, said the improved coverage would support the region’s dairy farmers at a time when the industry becomes increasingly innovative with digital technology.
“This is a strong dairy area so this is great news for farmers because they are using a lot of technology in their farm businesses,” she said.
“I’ve heard from several farms around Noorat which have had trouble trying to set up their tagging systems, which are really important to operate a dairy farm."
“To have better connectivity will make an enormous difference in their daily activities.”