Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr has welcomed the announcement that digital connectivity in Leichhardt is being boosted with new Telstra mobile towers being built at Cow Bay (Daintree) and Archer River (Cape York Peninsula).

“This is fantastic news and will be a boost for our communications,” he said.

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he had listened to the telecommunications concerns of the community and delivered a positive outcome for them.

He said he looked forward to seeing additional locations come online in the future.

The new macro-cell base station at Cow Bay, which is being funded under the Federal Government’s Regional Connectivity Program, will deliver dedicated coverage and capacity to local residents, who currently rely on traditional copper lines and 3G services for connectivity.

The new mobile tower at Archer River will provide new 4G mobile coverage to the Archer River Roadhouse and its immediate surrounds, addressing an existing coverage gap at this popular transport and tourist stop on the Peninsula Development Road.

“Communications and digital connectivity is absolutely critical to our modern economy, especially in places throughout Cape York and the Daintree.

“The new towers at Cow Bay and Archer River will certainly improve connectivity at these two locations and directly benefit residents, businesses and tourists visiting those regions.

“Improved access in regional, rural and remote areas of Far North Queensland will help people and business remain connected and benefit from the technology that is available to people in the major towns and cities,” said Entsch.

Federal Regional Communications Minister Mark Coulton said the Coalition understands how improving digital connectivity in the bush drives economic growth for the nation, and has committed a further $153 million to the RCP and the Mobile Black Spot Program in the 2021-22 Budget.

“This commitment includes $68.5 million specifically for projects that improve digital connectivity in regional Australia in Northern Australia, recognising the particular challenges involved in providing mobile and data services in this region,” Mr Coulton said.

“The pandemic has shown many Australians the value of the regions, both as economic powerhouses and as desirable destinations to live and work.

“In order to ensure regional Australians can continue to do the heavy lifting the nation asks of them, the Government recognises – and is investing in – the need for improved connectivity.”

Further rounds of the Regional Connectivity Program and the Mobile Black Spot Program are funded and expected to open for applications later this year.

The new tower in Archer River is jointly funded by the Morrison Government, Telstra and the Queensland Government under Round 4 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.