$6.1m in govt funding to improve NSW rural connectivity

The NSW Government has announced that 17 new telecommunication towers will be built across the state’s central west region by the end of 2025, as part of its plan to improve regional and rural connectivity for farmers and families.

The NSW and Australian Governments have provided up to $6.1 million to improve connectivity to around 1500 premises across Weddin Shire, Burcher, Burra, Eumungerie, Glen Davis and Talbingo in the central west, and Burra, Urila and Talbingo in southern NSW. Improvements will be delivered through new services provided by telecommunications providers YLess4U and Connected Farms, enabling farmers to access reliable communications and data directly from their paddocks, maximising productivity and saving time and money.

Primary producers and agricultural businesses are increasingly relying on the internet, with modern farming technology such as livestock monitoring, smart irrigation systems and wireless drone inspections for land surveying now being used alongside AgTech in tractors, headers and centre-pivot watering systems. The new funding will allow growers in Weddin Shire and surrounding areas to fully harness modern farming technology through improved coverage.

Currently, machinery programmed to sow seeds in a designated area across Weddin Shire farmland can only be configured using farm-office-based computers with wired internet connections, as there are no reliable wireless options out on the farm. In the Weddin Agriculture Precinct, Connected Farms will deliver a network providing mobile services and high-speed fixed wireless broadband to more than 200 premises in Caragabal, Bribbaree, Piney Range and Pullabooka.

Dual-SIM phones will allow locals to make calls and access mobile data via the Connected Farms network, while still accessing other mobile voice and data networks. In addition to unlocking modern AgTech methods, locals and visitors alike will have improved access to emergency services during disasters and unexpected events.

Meanwhile, in Burcher, Burra, Eumungerie, Glen Davis, Talbingo and Urila, YLess4U will deliver high-speed fixed wireless broadband to premises, providing local farmers and their families with fast and reliable internet.

“Residents in rural and regional areas deserve dependable telecommunications services to support their everyday needs and that is what this program is providing,” said Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty. “Improved digital services are important for both the productivity of the farm business and for the daily logistical challenges of living in a rural area.”

“These connectivity services will provide farmers with a platform to utilise the latest in real-time digital and precision agricultural technologies across their farms to increase their operational efficiency,” said Connected Farms co-founder Melissa Andrews. “For many years, connectivity in many parts of Weddin Shire has been very limited and these services will also enable better communications and farm safety capability.”

“We’re proud to partner with the NSW Government as part of the Australian Government’s Regional Connectivity Program to deliver fixed wireless broadband services to over 900 homes and businesses across six communities in regional NSW,” said YLess4U Director Jason Green. “Once complete, residents and businesses will have access to faster, more reliable internet and a wide range of plans and pricing options — importantly, at prices equivalent to those found in metropolitan areas.”

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