The Albanese Government is investing in better digital connectivity in Queensland's North West region to help deliver stronger outcomes and services to the community.
Families, businesses and visitors to the region will benefit from Wi-Fi access through the Albanese Government's Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
About 600 households and businesses will be able to access faster and more reliable internet thanks to the project.
The North West Queensland Gigabit Towns Project is providing fixed wireless connectivity, including free public Wi-Fi access, across a large area of North West Queensland, benefitting communities of Richmond, Julia Creek, Karumba, Normanton and Croydon, as well as surrounding properties and farms.
The Albanese Government committed more than $2.2 million towards the project, along with contributions from the Queensland Government and Wi-Sky Queensland.
The North West Queensland Gigabit Towns Project is one of many recently completed RCP projects, including:
- New mobile sites at Milyakburra Island and Edith River in the Northern Territory, co‑funded by Telstra
- Fixed wireless coverage at 12 sites across Western Australia's wheatbelt, co-funded by CRISP Wireless and the Western Australian Government
- Improved mobile coverage along Burrendong Way in New South Wales and dedicated coverage for Mullion Creek, co-funded by Telstra
- A 39-kilometre extension of the optic fibre network to Tullah in Tasmania to increase network capacity, co-funded by FortyTwo 24.
The RCP is part of the Government's $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which is driving productivity and improving equity for regional and rural communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Anika Wells:
"No Australian should be left behind whether that's tourists in Richmond checking out Australian Dinosaur Trail or station owners running their business.
"That's why the Albanese Government is investing $2.2 million in this project to help local communities and visitors stay connected, run their businesses and access essential services such as health, education and government services resources.
"It's fantastic to see these projects up and running across Queensland's North West - delivering real benefits for residents, businesses and visitors to these communities."
Quotes attributable to Wi-Sky CEO William Harrington:
"Regional Queensland is full of opportunity and innovation. Through the Regional Connectivity Program, Wi-Sky Queensland is helping to build the digital foundations for the future, bringing next-generation connectivity to communities like Richmond, Julia Creek, Croydon, Normanton and Karumba.
"These are vibrant regional centres that deserve world-class communications infrastructure, and this investment ensures they are not left behind as Queensland continues to grow and connect with the world."
