MOBILE phone users look like getting better coverage with the Inverell Shire Council today likely to vote in favour of contributing $10,000 towards the cost of a phone tower at Mt Sterling.

The total cost of the Telstra Country Wide CDMA facility, to be located on "Bellview”, a farming property between Inverell and Delungra, is $500,000.

Telstra Country Wide will now prepare a funding proposal to go to the Federal Government.

According to a report to council today by the Shire general manager, Paul Henry, the previous council gave a verbal undertaking to Telstra Country Wide that it would assist in whatever way possible to ensure the installation of various communication facilities within the Shire.

The council's undertaking included not only the provision of assistance in the form of road works but also direct financial assistance where this was identified as being suitable and a necessary pre-requisite for the project.

"It is in the context of seeking a contribution from Council towards the establishment of the Mt Sterling mobile CDMA site that Telstra Country Wide has indicated the need for Council to make a contribution in the amount of $10,000 towards the establishment of the site,” Mr Henry said in his report.

"Council's contribution is negligible in the overall scheme of funding, however provides a clear indication of Council's continued support towards the establishment of this very important infrastructure for the community,” Mr Henry said.

"Council has previously identified that the installation of an appropriate mobile telephone coverage in some of the previously unserviced areas is essential both to the economic and social wellbeing of the community in Inverell Shire and therefore is deserving of considerable support,” he said.

© 2004 Inverell Times

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