A new mobile phone tower in Baffle Creek will provide new or improved CDMA mobile phone coverage to nearly 1800 residents in the area, the Minister for Communications, Information and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan said this week.

The Minister was in Hinkler with local member Paul Neville to officially open Baffle Creek tower which was the fulfilment of commitment she made when visiting the Baffle Creek region last year.

“Paul Neville has been instrumental in lobbying for the Baffle Creek tower as part of the Australian Government investment in improved mobile phone coverage,’ Senator Coonan said.

Paul Neville said increased mobile phone coverage was one of his priorities for the Baffle Creek Area, and thanked the Minister for her commitment to the project.

“As a frequent visitor to the Baffle Creek area, I know the frustration of never being able to get a mobile phone signal. Now, we will have an effective communications system for Baffle Creek locals, as well as a vital link in the CDMA mobile phone network up the eastern corridor between Bundaberg and Gladstone.”

“Better Mobile phone coverage will make a real difference to Baffle Creek locals, and it reflects the Australian Governments commitments to improving services to rural, regional and remote Australia.”

Paul Neville’s fight to get isolated areas of the electorate ‘in touch’ with the wider world has paid big dividends for communities throughout the region, with delivering mobile phone coverage at Mount Morgan, Woodgate, Moore Park, Miriam Vale, Agnes Water, 1770, and Baffle Creek.

Baffle Creek is one of 62 locations throughout Australia to benefit from the new improved mobile phone coverage.

This is a result of $15.6 million in funding provided as part of the Australian Governments response to the regional telecommunications Inquiry (The Estens Inquiry). The Minister inspected the site of the Baffle Creek Tower from Tablelands Road before officially commissioning the tower at a function held at Rosedale Hall.

The function was attended by Miriam Vale Shire Council representatives, member of local volunteer emergency service groups and the community.

Emergency service personnel were particularly pleased to welcome the mobile phone coverage in the area which will generally improve communications in the event of disasters such as the Rosedale Tilt Train crash.

Mobile Phone coverage in the Baffle Creek, Rosedale and Lowmead area will vastly improve safety for motorist making the trip to and from Bundaberg.