The long-awaited Fullerton Cove mobile phone tower will be built at the end of 2018, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson has confirmed.
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The tower, to improve mobile phone reception in Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove, has been identified among 125 priority locations in Round 3 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
“This is good news, but it is not before time,” Ms Swanson said.
“Our community has put up with dreadful mobile phone coverage for long enough.”
The tower was a Liberal election promise in 2016 but there’s been little said on the matter since.
“It missed out on funding in rounds 1 and 2, but has been prioritised in round 3,” Ms Swanson said.
“Residents of Fullerton Cove and Fern Bay - including many who live in Bayway Village, Palm Lakes Resort and The Cove - have been lobbying for years for improved reception, and I have made numerous representations on their behalf.
“The serious deficiency in mobile coverage poses a risk to residents and visitors in case of emergency, and is highly inconvenient for people travelling along Nelson Bay Road to Newcastle Airport.”
Ms Swanson said the government had advised it will start consultation with telcos and state governments this month, with contracts to be signed and work carried out in the second half of 2018.
