Published on:
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Key Points
Local Governments in Perth's Hills will benefit from an announcement that if elected, a Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government would invest $1.2 million for 10 portable power generators. This commitment is an important step to ensure that communities have critical backup power for telecommunications services during emergencies.
Telecommunications are vital during extreme weather events however they depend on power, which can fail during an emergency. During recent emergencies, many WA communities have been left without access to essential communications services due to power outages.
In January 2024, the Perth Hills communities experienced extended power outages which lead to interruptions to telecommunications services, as the result of a storm cell that felled trees and power lines.
WALGA has been consistently calling for measures to improve the resilience of telecommunications during emergencies. WALGA’s Federal Election Priorities and submission to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review urges the Australian Government to work with telecommunications carriers and electricity distributors to identify the most vulnerable parts of the network and make mobile and broadband networks more resilient against power failures.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said the funding was a step in the right
direction by acknowledging the need to invest in the resilience of our telecommunications network.
“Reliable telecommunications are essential for Local Governments to fulfill their emergency management responsibilities, economic development objectives, and community aspirations for safe, attractive, and liveable places,” she said.
“During emergencies such as bushfires and storms, a lack of reliable telecommunications hampers effective response, communication, and recovery. Access to portable generators that can be deployed by our Local Governments and their Volunteer Bushfire Brigades assists in mitigating communication blackouts and ensures all residents have access to timely and often critical information during times of crisis.”
“It is pleasing to see the telecommunications industry acknowledging the critical need for backup power generators to be readily connected to critical telecommunications equipment and keep this running when mains power is interrupted.”
President Chappel concluded, “Every community in WA should have access to affordable, reliable telecommunications services to ensure their safety, connectivity, and economic participation.”
To arrange an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP, please contact WALGA Acting Manager Media and Communications Taysha Sullivan on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
- WALGA welcomes the announcement that, if elected, a Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government would invest $1.2 million for 10 portable power generators in the Perth Hills
- Telecommunications provide an essential lifeline during emergency situations
- WALGA’s Federal Election Priorities calls for the Australian Government to work with telecommunications carriers and electricity distributors to identify vulnerabilities in mobile and broadband networks and implement measures to increase resilience.
Local Governments in Perth's Hills will benefit from an announcement that if elected, a Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government would invest $1.2 million for 10 portable power generators. This commitment is an important step to ensure that communities have critical backup power for telecommunications services during emergencies.
Telecommunications are vital during extreme weather events however they depend on power, which can fail during an emergency. During recent emergencies, many WA communities have been left without access to essential communications services due to power outages.
In January 2024, the Perth Hills communities experienced extended power outages which lead to interruptions to telecommunications services, as the result of a storm cell that felled trees and power lines.
WALGA has been consistently calling for measures to improve the resilience of telecommunications during emergencies. WALGA’s Federal Election Priorities and submission to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review urges the Australian Government to work with telecommunications carriers and electricity distributors to identify the most vulnerable parts of the network and make mobile and broadband networks more resilient against power failures.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said the funding was a step in the right
direction by acknowledging the need to invest in the resilience of our telecommunications network.
“Reliable telecommunications are essential for Local Governments to fulfill their emergency management responsibilities, economic development objectives, and community aspirations for safe, attractive, and liveable places,” she said.
“During emergencies such as bushfires and storms, a lack of reliable telecommunications hampers effective response, communication, and recovery. Access to portable generators that can be deployed by our Local Governments and their Volunteer Bushfire Brigades assists in mitigating communication blackouts and ensures all residents have access to timely and often critical information during times of crisis.”
“It is pleasing to see the telecommunications industry acknowledging the critical need for backup power generators to be readily connected to critical telecommunications equipment and keep this running when mains power is interrupted.”
President Chappel concluded, “Every community in WA should have access to affordable, reliable telecommunications services to ensure their safety, connectivity, and economic participation.”
To arrange an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP, please contact WALGA Acting Manager Media and Communications Taysha Sullivan on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
