$14.5 million to improve mobile and internet coverage across Central-West Orana

Households, businesses and farms across the Central-West Orana region will benefit from better mobile phone and internet coverage thanks to the Minns Labor Government's new $14.5 million Telecommunications Infrastructure Uplift Program.

As major renewable energy projects are built across the region, telecommunications providers will be offered financial incentives to expand and upgrade network infrastructure. This will help tackle longstanding mobile and internet blackspots in local communities.

This funding is set to improve telecommunications coverage over more than 900 square kilometres in the Central-West Orana REZ. It will provide hundreds of eligible premises with access to high-speed internet services.

Thousands of residents, workers and visitors are also expected to benefit from better mobile phone signal strength as a result of this uplift.

This program demonstrates the Minns Labor Government's commitment to delivering benefits to communities that are hosting the transformation of the state's energy system. The Central-West Orana REZ will deliver clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy to homes and businesses across the state as ageing coal-fired power stations retire.

Many of the region's telecommunications blackspots and restricted internet capacity are in sparsely populated areas where upgrades are often not commercially viable. The Minns Labor Government is overcoming that barrier by helping fund new and upgraded telecommunications infrastructure where it is needed most.

Telecommunications providers will be able to apply for grants covering up to 70 per cent of project costs. Applications that include contributions from industry or other partners will be encouraged.

The program will be administered by EnergyCo with the NSW Telco Authority. Applications will open in the coming months.

This initiative is part of a $128 million Minns Labor Government investment in community benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ. Additional community benefit funding will continue to flow to the region through fees paid by renewable energy projects connecting to the REZ network.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

"Regional areas suffer from too many telecommunications blackspots. This program will help fund the upgrades that communities have been calling for.

"Better coverage means safer, stronger and more connected communities, whether it's farmers managing their operations, families accessing essential services, or emergency responders communicating when it matters most."

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

"This program will help unlock investment from telecommunications providers to support better network coverage and improve digital services.

"Through the NSW Digital Inclusion Strategy we are working to bridge the digital divide and this program will help create better connectivity in a region where communities can take advantage of new opportunities in the digital economy."

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

"This is a positive outcome for the Central-West Orana region, particularly for primary producers who are increasingly reliant on digital connectivity to manage their businesses, access information and adopt new technologies.

"Better telecommunications infrastructure will back the local businesses and producers at the heart of the regional economy, keeping them in the box seat to seize the opportunities ahead."

EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey said:

"Communities in the Central-West Orana REZ identified improved connectivity as a benefit they would like to see from renewable energy development. Strong digital connectivity helps communities thrive, supports local businesses, helps people access services and keeps families connected.

"As the Central-West Orana REZ continues to play a key role in NSW's renewable energy transformation, this program will ensure local communities share in the benefits through better mobile and internet coverage, stronger communications and improved access to digital services."