The completion of Shoalhaven City Council’s Recovery Into Resilience Project (RRP) – enabled by NBN connectivity and backed by the Australian Government – will help keep local residents informed during natural disasters.
Shoalhaven City Council initiated the RRP following the devastating impacts of the 2019/20 bushfire season, where many communities lost access to power and communications during the fires, and where critical information flows were disrupted.
Over the last 18 months, the Council has worked with NBN Co to develop connectivity solutions to support the project, which includes the installation of Local Information Hub screens at community centres across the region to keeps the communities, residents and visitors informed during emergencies.
The Local Information Hubs are being supported by NBN Co’s Business Satellite Solutions, which provide business grade service and level of redundancy when land-based networks may be disrupted during disasters.
The Commonwealth and NSW governments jointly provided $2 million to the RRP through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Local initiatives like the RRP complement work by the Albanese Government to rollout a National Messaging Service (NMS). Funded in next week’s Federal Budget, the NMS will allow governments to send geographically targeted alerts and warnings in real time to connected devices during natural disasters and other emergencies.
For more information on the Recovery Into Resilience Project, visit Recovery Into Resilience Project (RRP) | Get Involved Shoalhaven (nsw.gov.au)
For more information on NBN’s Business Satellite Solutions, visit www.nbnco.com.au/business/product-and-technical-information/business-satellite-service
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“Reliable communication is critical to keeping Australian communities, such as those in the Shoalhaven, informed and safe from harm in an emergency situation.
“ The close work NBN Co has undertaken with the Shoalhaven City Council to support a connectivity solution will allow community members to access important emergency information via their Local Information Hub in the event of a natural disaster.
“Ensuring local residents can remain informed during disasters can be the difference between life and death, and that’s why the Albanese Government will provide funding in next week’s Federal Budget to roll out a National Messaging System that will deliver real-time warnings and alerts when communities need them most”.
Quotes attributable to the Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP:
”I saw the devastation of the Black Summer Bushfires firsthand. I saw what can happen, when communications go down. I am so pleased that the Albanese Labor Government are rolling out a National Messaging System.”
“The National Messaging System will become a vital tool for keeping our communities informed and safe during emergencies. I am pleased to see the Albanese Government making this important investment in our nation’s resilience,”
“I have watched the development of the Recovery Into Resilience Project and the Local Informatuion Hubs from the start, and I’m absolutely thrilled to see local innovation recognised - what a display of how innovative South Coast locals can be.”
