WA Police digital radio expands into the Pilbara

Western Australia’s Pilbara coast is the latest to benefit from the $94.5 million rollout of the Community Safety Regional Radio Network, made possible by the state government’s Royalties for Regions Program.

While visiting the region to announce the rollout, Police Minister Liza Harvey said the multimillion-dollar radio network would replace the outdated analog system.

“The digital radio network allows police and corrective services officers to communicate better with each other on a secure system, strengthening their response and coordination during an emergency,” she said.

Harvey said the project would bring together WA Police and Corrective Services under one common infrastructure managed by WA Police in Karratha.

“Not only will it have advantages for these agencies, it will provide benefits for our regional communities through a more informed, responsive and coordinated service,” she said.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the benefits of the project were invaluable to the state’s emergency services and will potentially save lives by allowing for improved responses in emergency situations.

“The Pilbara joins a list of other regional centres, including the Goldfields and Mid-West, to reap the benefits of converting to a more modern, digital system,” Redman said.

“I am pleased to see Royalties for Regions funding contributing to significant improvements to the lives of people living, working and travelling in our state’s vast regional areas.”

The Pilbara network joins Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Geraldton and Albany; 95% of the WA population is now serviced by the digital system.