Powertec Telecommunications appointed to expand mobile coverage at Western Australian regional surf beaches

The Western Australian Government is boosting mobile coverage at regional surf beaches, with Powertec Telecommunications appointed to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure at popular locations along the state’s coast.

Powertec Telecommunications will deliver repeater infrastructure to 35 beaches around the coastline from the Kimberley to Esperance, under round two of the Surf Beaches Mobile Coverage Grants Program.

The WA Government has committed $2 million under this second round, to provide better mobile coverage to regional and remote beaches used by tourists and locals for swimming, surfing, camping, fishing, snorkelling and other recreational activities.

It will improve coverage at key sites with poor or no mobile coverage which have been identified by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in consultation with Surfing WA, regional development commissions, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and local governments.

Many of the selected locations are already equipped with beach emergency number signs, which combined with improved mobile coverage will allow for faster and more effective communication during an incident.

Work is expected to commence in the second half of this year.

Grant funding under the program's inaugural round was awarded by the WA Government in 2023 to deliver mobile repeaters at 20 popular surf beaches. Installation at these beaches is underway.

WA Regional Development Minister Don Punch noted "The Surf Beaches Mobile Coverage Grants Program is a significant initiative for regional Western Australia, expanding mobile coverage at some of our most remote but popular beach locations.

"Investing in upgrades to telecommunications infrastructure through this initiative supports our regional communities and helps to keep Western Australians safe at the beach.

"Across both rounds, improved mobile coverage will be delivered to a total of 55 beaches to support local beachgoers, regional communities, emergency responders and visitors."

Surf Beaches Mobile Coverage Grants Program Round 2 sites

1 Amherst Point, Gascoyne

2 Elle's Beach Campground, Gascoyne

3 Kurrajong, Gascoyne

4 Lagoon, Gascoyne

5 Maggie's Campground, Gascoyne

6 Oyster Stacks, Gascoyne

7 Sandy Bay, Gascoyne

8 Sandy Point, Gascoyne

9 Steven's Camp, Gascoyne

10 Winderabandi Point, Gascoyne

11 Observatory Beach, Goldfields-Esperance

12 10th Mile Beach, Goldfields-Esperance

13 11th Mile Beach,Goldfields-Esperance

14 9th Mile Beach, Goldfields-Esperance

15 Alexander Bay, Goldfields-Esperance

16 Wharton Beach. Goldfields-Esperance

17 Bettys Beach, Great Southern

18 Foster Beach, Great Southern

19 Lowlands Beach, Great Southern

20 Reef Beach, Great Southern

21 James Price Point, Kimberley

22 Coronation Beach. Mid West

23 Flatrocks, Mid West

24 Lucky Bay, Mid West

25 40 Mile camp site, Pilbara

26 Balla Balla camping, Pilbara

27Cleaverville camp site, Pilbara

28 Black Point (Surfers Cove), South West

29 Cosy Corner, South West

30 Deepdene, South West

31 Elephant Rock, South West

32 Gallows, South West

33 Moses Rock, South West

34 Sugarloaf Rock, South West

35 Grey, Wheatbelt

Image. Satellite small cell at Salmon Holes in Albany Credit: WA Government/ Terence Young