Wollongong City’s SES and visitors to Era Beach and Burning Palms in Cunningham are now better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters following the installation of backup NBN Sky Muster satellite services under the Australian Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program at the Wollongong City SES Unit, and Era Beach and Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Clubs.
The Australian Government is protecting communities through the STAND program by investing in improved connectivity for emergency services depots and evacuation centres, improved telecommunications resilience under the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP), and portable communications facilities across the country. All of these measures will help to save lives and reduce the impact of natural disasters on the community.
The satellite services being deployed at emergency service depots and community evacuation centres across the country will provide backup and alternative communications facilities.
The project at the Wollongong City SES Unit will ensure emergency responders can remain online by utilising NBN Sky Muster satellite services during times of disaster when land-based networks are damaged or offline, while completed projects at Era Beach and Burning Palms will ensure visitors can access emergency information and remain connected to friends and family during natural disasters.
STAND-funded assets have proven to be effective in supporting local communities during natural disasters, including the 2022 East Coast Floods in New South Wales and Queensland, the December 2021 and January 2022 Western Australia bushfires, Cyclone Seroja, 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 which local communities need to be better prepared for natural disasters.
“These projects across Wollongong are among 1,059 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 the Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:
“Staying connected during a natural disaster can be the difference between life and death, whether that be receiving the latest information or contacting emergency services.
“The satellite project at the Wollongong City SES Unit is a major boost for our heroic first responders and will ensure they stay online when disaster strikes.
“Upgrades at Era Beach and Burning Palms will keep local residents and visitors informed, minimising the risk of local communication network disruptions when reliable service is needed most.
“I am pleased the Albanese Government is listening to the community and making significant inroads toward more resilient communications infrastructure to keep local residents safe and informed.
