Council to deliver Government Wireless Network communications system to aid in disaster responses

(L to R) Scenic Rim Regional Council CEO Jon Gibbons; Shannon Voyce - Telstra Local Relationship Manager, Caley Pearce - Telstra Regional Engagement Manager Southern Queensland and May Boisen - Telstra Regional General Manager; Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen.

Council will invest in Government Wireless Network (GWN) hardware to enable reliable communications during disaster responses.

The GWN provides approximately 99% coverage of Southeast Queensland, and brings public safety agencies, including Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Ambulance Service and the SES into the same radio communications platform and frequency group to allow effective communications between multiple agencies.

The purchase of 30 handheld radios, 30 single unit chargers and two fixed station terminals will enable coverage across the Scenic Rim region for Council personnel and will replace antiquated radio systems currently in place.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said it is a timely technical upgrade.

"The GWN will achieve vastly improved radio communications for Council operations and the one-off cost of hardware allocated in the 2022-2023 budget will provide ongoing benefits for improved efficiencies for internal communications across the region," he said.

"Annual operating costs for the system, including training, will be allocated from Council's existing budget and are anticipated to be less than the current budget allocation for maintenance of the current two-way radio system used by Council."

Trials of GWN devices have addressed concerns about black spot coverage and identified options to use Council-owned communications aerials and to deploy mobile radio transmission sites to further extend GWN coverage if required.

The GWN is a fully managed service provided by an external telecommunications provider in conjunction with a major sub-contractor who install all equipment and provide technical support and maintenance 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.

Learn more about the 2022-23 Budget at www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/2022-2023-budget