The NSW Telco Authority has delivered 300 new and enhanced radio communications sites across the state to expand the Public Safety Network (PSN) under the NSW Government’s $1.4 billion Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP).
This expansion includes two new radio communications sites at Narromine, and Mount Bocoble, south of Mudgee.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the new sites are vital to ongoing community safety.
“These sites provide emergency services organisations with a single, integrated network on which to communicate,” Mr Saunders said.
“It’s technology that saves lives and by expanding the footprint of this critical infrastructure we are ensuring frontline responders have a more reliable network to help keep people and places safe.
“PSN sites were crucial in protecting communities and keeping emergency services connected during the widespread 2022 flood events and the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.”
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the network expansion was the biggest investment in critical communications infrastructure by the NSW Government in a generation.
“The NSW Government is investing $1.4 billion to expand the PSN to better protect communities, including delivering 675 new and enhanced radio communications sites,” Mr Dominello said.
“During an emergency every second counts and the new radio sites will make it easier for our local emergency services to communicate when it matters most.”
Next to Australia’s triple zero emergency hotline, the PSN is the most critical communications network in NSW, fielding an average of around 1.3 million radio communications calls per month.