A mobile phone tower in Redridge North will be able to keep operating longer if the power goes out during or after natural disasters, thanks to a major new investment by the Morrison McCormack Government.

The Government is funding Optus to extend the battery back up at the mobile phone tower at Redridge North, to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said extending the battery life of this mobile phone tower would increase telecommunications resilience in the Redridge North area.

“The Morrison McCormack government is investing in battery back-up to keep mobile phone towers operating longer when the power goes out during or after natural disasters,” he said.

The Optus mobile phone tower at Redridge North was funded under round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot funding.

The Government is providing a total of $13.2 million to Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery back up at 467 mobile phone towers across Australia, under stage one of the program.

More information on the program is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.