Member for Bonner Ross Vasta together with the Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield today announced that a re-elected Turnbull Coalition Team will deliver improved mobile phone coverage in Belmont, Burbank, Moreton Island and Gumdale, as part of an additional $60 million commitment to extend the successful Mobile Black Spot Programme.

“New mobile base stations in Belmont, Burbank, Moreton Island and Gumdale will bring a much-needed boost to mobile coverage, providing benefits to emergency service operators, businesses, and residents,” Mr Vasta said.

“I am pleased that under Round 1 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme, the electorate of Bonner will receive new mobile coverage to one mobile black spot area nominated by the public, with the results of Round 2 to be announced in the second half of 2016.

“The Turnbull Coalition Team understands the importance of mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia and that is why we are committing an additional $60 million on top of the $160 million already invested in mobile black spots, bringing the Coalition’s total investment to $220 million,” Mr Vasta said.

To date, the Mobile Black Spots Programme has committed to 499 new or upgraded base stations covering around 3,000 black spots, which is the most significant one-time increase in mobile network coverage to regional and remote Australia.

Minister Fifield said the Coalition is committed to improving mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in locations prone to experiencing natural disasters, as well as addressing unique mobile coverage problems such as areas with high seasonal demand.

“Despite being in Government for six years, Labor did not spend one dollar on fixing mobile black spots in regional and remote Australia,” Minister Fifield said.

“The Coalition’s $220 million plan to address mobile black spots will ensure regional and remote communities have access to wider and more reliable mobile phone coverage.”

A re-elected Turnbull Coalition Government will provide Mt Gravatt Bowls Club with $178,000 in funding to go towards the conversion of its existing grass surface to an artificial surface, as well as the construction of a cover over the new green.

Making the announcement at Mt Gravatt Bowls Club’s open men’s competition today, Liberal National Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said he was happy to pledge the funding that would help secure the club’s future.

“This project will significantly reduce the club’s operating costs,” Mr Vasta said.

“It will provide an excellent playing surface that will protect players from the elements. This will also help attract new members to this wonderful club.”

Business manager of Mt Gravatt Bowls Club, Reg Walls welcomed the funding announcement.

“This funding will provide much-needed certainty and a more secure future for the club,” Mr Walls said.

Mr Walls said the project would be a great benefit to the community and community organisations that utilised the club’s facilities.

“This includes barefoot bowlers, corporate bowlers and people who in part use the Licenced Club facilities in conjunction with the bowling greens.”

“We are also encouraging schools to use the greens facilities and have procured 30 sets of smaller sized bowls to facilitate and encourage students to take up the sport.”