The NSW Government has delivered 250 new or enhanced Public Safety Network (PSN) radio sites, reaching more than 97 per cent of the population and increasing mission-critical communications coverage for first responders.
Next to Australia’s triple zero emergency hotline, the PSN is the most critical communications network in NSW, allowing emergency services organisations to communicate and coordinate responses to critical incidents and disasters on a single, shared network.
NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kylie De Courteney said the milestone meant the PSN would now provide coverage across an area greater than 356,000 km², or 44.5 per cent of the State.
“This achievement is a significant step forward in the NSW Government’s commitment to building one of the world’s largest public safety networks,” Ms De Courteney said.
“Investment in radio communications infrastructure saves lives. By expanding the PSN, we are providing emergency services with the tools to stay safe as they protect the people and places of NSW.”
When completed the PSN will include over 675 sites, covering 85 per cent of the state’s landmass and reach 99.7 per cent of the population.
NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kylie De Courteney said much of this expansion had taken place in regional and rural communities including remote and rugged terrain.
“No matter where you are in the State, communication is critical in an emergency,” Ms De Courteney said.
“The network’s expansion in Northern NSW has meant that the hardest hit areas during the March floods, such as Lismore, had coverage in place which remained stable and operational throughout the crisis.
“We are committed to providing a more efficient, resilient network for our first responders through the Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP).”
This milestone marks the completion of close to one-third of the 675 sites under the $1.4 billion CCEP being delivered by NSW Telco Authority.
For more information on the PSN visit the Telco Authority website.
New PSN sites delivered between April and July 2022 include:
- Burwood, Fairfield, Merrylands and Windsor in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area.
- Kincumber and Mount White on the Central Coast.
- Singleton and Upper Allyn in The Hunter.
- Bellata, Bendemeer, Woodenbong and Haystack Mountain in Northern NSW.