119/07
Monday 27 August 2007

$5 million to support the development of Emergency Services communications in WA

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan and the Member for Stirling Michael Keenan, today announced funding of $5 million to support the development of communications for emergency services in Western Australia.

Under the Australian Government’s Clever Networks Program, funding will be given to a consortium headed by the Western Australia Department of Industry and Resources to develop essential communications for six Western Australian emergency services agencies.

“The Emergency Connect WA project will use innovative broadband and communications technology to make it easier for emergency services organisations in Western Australia to communicate with each other,” Senator Coonan said.

“Emergency service organisations in Western Australia face enormous challenges—such as the remoteness of some communities, incompatible technologies and inadequate infrastructure—making communication in certain regions of the State complicated and sometimes impossible.

“This project will provide access to real-time emergency services information using internet-based voice and data services as well as satellite technologies.

“These technologies will permit cross-agency coordination of crisis management, allowing faster response to emergencies and near total coverage of Western Australia.

“For example, in the event of a bushfire, personnel at the fire front and management teams in the control centre will be able to communicate with each other and have access to the same technical information,” Senator Coonan said.

Mr Keenan said the funding would dramatically reduce the risk of remote Western Australian communities being cut off from the outside world during natural disasters, such as cyclones.

“Community volunteer groups, such as the Surf Lifesaving Society, St John Ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, will have the potential for immediate access to government agencies’ communications networks.”

Mr Keenan said the agencies involved in the project are: the Fire and Emergency Service Authority; the Department of Environment and Conservation; the Western Australia Police; St John Ambulance; the Royal Flying Doctor Service; and Surf Life Saving WA (SLS). Together with the Western Australian Department of Industry and Resources, these agencies will contribute $26 million to the project.

Clever Networks is a $113 million Australian Government program that delivers smart solutions to improve delivery of services in regional, rural and remote Australia through innovative broadband projects.

Other successful projects to receive Clever Networks first round funding will include remotely accessible interactive education services, virtual healthcare, and delivery of integrated state-wide emergency services.

More information about Clever Networks is available at www.dcita.gov.au/clevernetworks