INDI incumbent Independent MP Helen Haines has congratulated the Tarrawingee community on their petitioning to achieve funding for a communications tower to improve connectivity in the area.
The Federal Government announced a new tower on Sunday that will be funded under the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
Dr Haines said it has been a long standing issue and she met with the Tarrawingee community, tabled a petition on their behalf in Parliament about the blackspot problems in the town and wrote a letter of support to the RCP and Telstra to get a new base station.
She said in the letter, businesses that work and raise families in Tarrawingee are reluctant to invest or improve systems when there is no guarantee the technology will hold up.
"Upgrades and improvements of this nature are essential for townships like Tarrawingee that rely on modern technology to grow businesses, run farms, teach children and stay safe and healthy, especially in a time where the threat of COVID–19 has not diminished," she said.
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"The project aims to improve mobile connectivity, supporting the growing tourism sector that visit and stay locally.
"The local agricultural sector will also benefit from this improvement in mobile connectivity and reliability, enhancing existing breeder monitoring technology and crop sensors, promoting better work practices and minimising waste."
Dr Haines praised the people of Tarrawingee who have worked hard in support of the tower and she said it has been a combined effort.
There has been chatter on social media about the Federal Government trying to score political points when it announced the funding on Sunday, but Dr Haines brushed aside the controversy.
"That announcement made during an election is often the way major parties do things, isn't it," she said.
"It is of no real consequence to me and the most important thing to me is the people of Tarrawingee get that tower and if I'm re–elected I'll be making sure it is delivered as soon as it possibly can.
"The most important thing to me is that the people of Tarrawingee have that blackspot fixed and they can get on with their businesses.
"The CFA was troubled by this, school kids and all sorts of people, so the priority is that the tower is delivered soon."
Local resident Dana Symons, who organised the petition lobbying for better telecommunications in Tarrawingee, said she was delighted to hear that a new mobile phone tower will be delivered.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to thank all who came together to sign and promote the online petition, to help make this outcome a reality," she said.
"A special thank you to Dr Haines and her office for tireless effort and ongoing support for reliable telecommunications.
"It was a privilege to have Dr Haines facilitate the tabling of the petition in Parliament, and help the community of Tarrawingee achieve a positive outcome.
"I have no doubt that a reliable phone service will be welcomed by all."
