Mobile coverage will be significantly improved around the Karara and Cement Mills area as part of infrastructure upgrades at the MacIntyre Wind Farm.
ACCIONA Energía will be replacing temporary telecommunications infrastructure installed for the construction of the wind farm with a permanent 4G Telstra tower that will also be available for use by the community.
Related article: ACCIONA to double capacity of MacIntyre Wind Precinct
“We know cellular reception is a major issue for farmers and residents in the area,” ACCIONA Energía director of construction and engineering Dan Belton said.
“While we have temporary solutions in place during MacIntyre’s construction, we need something permanent for when the project goes into operations. When we looked at the options to connect the turbines by other means, we settled on the idea that an additional investment from us could extend this benefit to the wider community.”
“From our end, the investment was an additional $500,000 to make the tower accessible to everyone in the area. We felt this was an important contribution back to into the local community who have been so incredibly supportive of the project.”
ACCIONA Energía will spend $2.5 million for Telstra and Amplitel to build and install the new tower and are targeting to have it operating by mid 2024.
The 4G tower will assist with local connectivity and be particularly useful during severe weather, making it easier for emergency services to reach and notify people.
Related article: First foundation poured at MacIntyre Wind Farm
“Often the success of major infrastructure projects is the legacy left to the community long after the project is completed. This announcement embodies a project where the long-term benefit to the people in the surrounding area will continue to benefit future generations,” Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi said.
It’s expected that the new mobile tower will also give residents better digital connectivity and phone reception and help residents address the ‘digital divide’ faced by rural communities.
