The NSW Government’s emergency services radio network has been bolstered in the Snowy Monaro region following the completion of a new radio site at Hudsons Peak near Cooma.
Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the public safety network (PSN) played a crucial role during the 2019/2020 bushfire season, and this upgrade is very welcome.
“Public Safety Network sites provide emergency services organisations with a single, integrated network on which to communicate,” Mr Barilaro said.
“It’s technology that saves lives. By expanding the footprint of this critical infrastructure, we are ensuring that frontline responders have a more reliable network to help keep people and places safe. The devastating 2019/2020 bushfire season highlighted how important resources including the PSN sites play during times of emergency.
“We had multiple fires burning in all corners of the Snowy Monaro, and this critical infrastructure ensured our emergency services could communicate efficiently so they could protect the community.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the NSW Government was investing more than $600 million in essential infrastructure to better protect communities.
“During an emergency every second counts. The new radio site at Hudsons Peak will make it easier for our local emergency services to communicate when it matters most,” Mr Dominello said.
“The PSN’s expansion represents the biggest investment in critical communications infrastructure by the NSW Government in two decades.”
Next to Australia’s triple zero emergency hotline, the PSN is the most critical communications network in NSW.
