Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Wollondilly area in my electorate is a hive of activity. Sitting on the edge of Sydney, this area faces fantastic growth opportunities with the development of the Badgerys Creek airport, the plans for a new town at Wilton Junction, and the fast-tracking of telecommunications infrastructure to the area. Wollondilly is a winner in round 1 of the government's Mobile Black Spot Programme. Four new towers will be built, at Mount Hunter, Nattai, Werombi and Buxton. These towers will extend hand-held or antenna coverage into other areas including Belimbla Park, Lakesland, Pheasants Nest, Picton, Razorback, The Oaks, Theresa Park, Thirlmere, Wilton, and along the Picton Road between Picton and the Fire Road intersection.

This is absolutely fantastic news, which has been welcomed by the Wollondilly Shire Council, local small businesses, and emergency services. Werombi plant nursery owner, Germaine Borg from Choice Seedlings, said her customers and staff were becoming increasingly frustrated with no mobile reception. Germaine said: 'A mobile tower will mean enormous reassurance for our business.' The Southern Highlands RFS regional commander, Ashley Frank, said better mobile reception would be a significant advancement for local emergency services. Ashley said: 'I want to thank Angus and the government for putting this kind of support into our community.' Thanks to this government, mobile phone coverage will be dramatically improved across vast areas of Wollondilly.