The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Minister for Communications
Member for Greenway
The Hon Emma McBride MP
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health
Member for Dobell
MEDIA RELEASE
IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS RESILIENCE FOR
CENTRAL COAST FIRE CONTROL CENTRE
Residents on the Central Coast will be better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters following the installation of a backup NBN Sky Muster satellite service at the Central Coast Fire Control Centre in Charmhaven.
The satellite was installed as part of the Australian Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program which aims to protect communities by investing in improved connectivity for emergency services depots and evacuation centres.
This project will help emergency services stay connected across the Coast during times of disaster, when land-based networks are damaged or offline. It will also help save lives and reduce the impact of natural disasters on the community.
STAND-funded assets have proven to be effective in supporting local communities during natural disasters across Australia, including the 2022 East Coast Floods in NSW and Queensland, the December 2021 and January 2022 Western Australia bushfires, Cyclone Seroja, and the June 2021 Victorian and Ingham, Queensland floods.
The Australian Government is also encouraging people to be prepared for natural disasters through a public communications program, including by having a portable radio in emergency kits and notifying family members of travel plans.
For more information on the STAND program, go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/stand
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the investments and infrastructure that local communities need to be better prepared for natural disasters.
“The project at the Central Coast Fire Control Centre is one of XXX delivered so far under the program, with the remaining projects to be completed by November 2022.
“While no network can ever be 100 per cent disaster-proof, these investments will go a long way towards ensuring local residents can stay connected in the most difficult times, especially to access potentially lifesaving information and advice”.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, the Hon Emma McBride MP:
“Staying connected during a natural disaster is vital to our community’s safety, whether that’s receiving the latest information online or being able to contact emergency services.
“This project is a major boost for the Central Coast and will help minimise the risk of service disruptions during an emergency.
“I am proud to be part of a government that’s investing in our communications infrastructure, so we can keep locals safe and informed now, and into the future.”
WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2022
