ORGANISATION NAME
$2.5million to improve the region’s mobile connectivity
Residents and visitors in and around Fosterville are now enjoying improved 4G mobile coverage and connectivity, with the recent construction of a new Telstra mobile base station, which was made possible after a $2.5mil investment from Agnico Eagle Australia, the operators of Fosterville Gold Mine.
The base station was officially opened by Lisa Chesters, Federal MP, Steve Tinker, Telstra Regional Manager for Victoria and Ion Hann, Agnico Eagle Australia Vice President on Friday 15 March.
“In mid-2021 we approached Telstra with a vision to improve the mobile connectivity of this region and with Agnico Eagle as a major partner, Telstra has been able to turn this vision into reality” explained Ion Hann.
This site is part of the Commonwealth Government's Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) and is funded in partnership between Agnico Eagle Australia, Telstra and the Victorian and Federal governments.
The Fosterville site is the first of seven new 4G and 5G-ready mobile base stations expected to be built this year, with construction of additional sites and transmission links at Axedale, Goornong, Knowsley, Colbinabbin, Toolleen Sports Club and Heathcote Raceway.
“With Agnico Eagle's $2.5 million investment, this regional connectivity project will have a significant positive and enduring impact to this entire region and Agnico Eagle is proud to be a major contributor.”
“Agnico Eagle’s founder, Paul Penna, believed that ‘if you have more, you should do more’ and this belief has held firm for over 65 years and greatly assisted us to become the world’s third largest gold mining company, with operations in Canada, Finland, Mexico and Australia,” Ion explained.
“As a result, Agnico Eagle has already invested over $15 million locally through our Community Partnership Program and we hope to continue supporting valuable projects such as these for years to come,” Ion concluded.
Once completed, Telstra anticipates improved handheld coverage to approximately 4,355 premises and over 260km of new or improved road coverage in the area.
