The Allan Labor Government has improved the resilience of telecommunication across the state, having completed 200 resilience upgrade projects so far. 

Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams today visited Mount Taylor in East Gippsland where a Telstra mobile tower site has recently been upgraded as part of the resilience upgrade program co-funded with the Commonwealth and Telstra.

The resilience upgrades include fitting 12-hour battery-backups, extending critical power and installing generators. 

Through the Connecting Victoria Program over 60 projects are planned to be delivered in East Gippsland with more than half already completed so far. 

East Gippsland and Mount Taylor have been impacted in the recent September storms and these upgrades will enable communities to stay connected should there be future power outages. 

The resilience program is also removing vegetation and installing heat-proof shields to protect infrastructure to prepare critical infrastructure as we head into the summer bushfire season.

While the Commonwealth Government is responsible for telecommunications services in Australia, the Victorian Government has stepped in and partnered with telecommunications providers to invest in resilience mobile towers so communities can stay connected. 

The Connecting Victoria program is delivering more than 1,200 mobile projects and 150 broadband projects across the state. 

Connecting Victoria projects will be delivered by mid-2026, with many set to be completed much sooner. 

Find out more about Connecting Victoria at vic.gov.au/connectingvictoria.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams

“We’re working with telecommunications companies to improve reliability across Victoria so that communities are better connected, especially during emergencies.”

“We have completed more than 75 per cent of our resilience projects pipeline so far with the rest to be delivered by 2026.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Communications the Hon Michelle Rowland MP

“While no telecommunications network can ever be one hundred per cent disaster-proof, the Albanese Government is reducing the risk of communications outages during natural disasters.”

“This upgrade in East Gippsland will support community safety by helping to mitigate the impacts of service outages during natural disasters, and throughout the response and recovery phase.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh

“These upgrades are ensuring the community can stay connected - even through the toughest of weather conditions and when it matters most.”

Quote attributable to Telstra Regional General Manager Jenny Gray

“Co-investment programs such as this are really important in helping deliver great connectivity outcomes and enabling all Australians to participate fully in the digital economy.”