Western Downs community invited to share digital connectivity experiences

Mobile phone reception, internet speed, the range of internet service providers… Western Downs Regional Council is inviting the community to share their experiences with mobile and digital connectivity to help advocate for better telecommunications across the region.?

Council is collecting this information by way of public survey to understand the needs and shortfalls of connectivity in the region to appeal to the State and Federal Government for increased targeted funding for improved telecommunications and digital connectivity for the Western Downs.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said resilient, reliable, stable, high-speed mobile and data connectivity option is vital to support the continued growth of the region's strong, diverse economy.

"We need a commitment by the State and Federal Governments to increase targeted funding for place-based solutions which will increase the availability and bandwidth of the cellular network across the Western Downs," Mayor Smith said.

"The Western Downs is the energy capital of Queensland and home to a billion-dollar agricultural sector yet, like most of regional Australia, much of our region still experiences critical shortfalls in telecommunications and digital connectivity.

"Connectivity is the crucial layer of infrastructure that supports the Western Downs economy and community, enabling population retention, business development and attraction, telehealth, remote working and education, and social inclusion.

"Many regional areas, like the Westen Downs, do not have the population to make it attractive for telecommunications providers to install new infrastructure to increase compatibility and reliability, yet many of these areas have multi-million-dollar industries such as intensive agriculture, energy, and manufacturing."

Mayor Smith said Council will be using the data collected from public survey to gain a better understanding of the issues Western Downs residents are facing and to better identify the regional connectivity shortfalls.

"Western Downs Regional Council is advocating for State and Federal funding opportunities in addition to the Mobile Blackspot Program funding for regional Australia," he said.

"Regional resilience can be improved through an expanded NBN rollout, additional mobile towers, subsidies for residential and business microcells, domestic roaming, infrastructure sharing, and investigating alternative technologies as a backup.

"I'd encourage everyone to take a few minutes to participate in the survey, so that we can continue to advocate for business-grade connectivity for our rural and remote residents, businesses, and communities."

To participate in the survey, visit https://haveyoursay.wdrc.qld.gov.au/digital-connectivity

The public survey is now open and will close 30 November 2024.

For more information contact Council on 1300 268 624 (COUNCIL) or visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au