Local communications during natural disasters are set to be boosted, with funding secured as part of the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program.
Two new Sky Muster satellite connections will be installed by NBN Co during 2026 at the Dorrigo Community Hall and Bellingen Showground. These sites are official evacuation centres for the Bellingen Shire and may be nominated for community use as an evacuation centre depending on the situation. These new connections will significantly strengthen local communications during natural disasters, particularly when power outages and network congestion impact access to phone and internet services.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr Steve Allan, emphasised the importance of reliable communication during disasters.
“Once the satellite connections are installed, the sites will provide community WiFi at key evacuation and relief centres, helping residents stay connected when it matters most,” said Mayor Allan.
“For our community in times of disaster, more resilient communications means that people can stay connected with family and friends during emergencies, access critical emergency information and updates, support local response and recovery efforts, and improve backup and redundancy if usual networks go down.”
The STAND initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance telecommunications resilience across disaster-prone communities, ensuring people can remain informed, connected, and supported during times of crisis.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen, said that these upgrades represent a practical step forward in building local resilience.
“The Dorrigo Community Hall and the Bellingen Showground are nominated evacuation centres for the Bellingen Shire during an emergency, providing shelter and safety for residents during a disaster,” said Mark Griffioen.
“The importance of reliable communications in a disaster is well understood, but it is also crucial for disaster response and recovery. Emergency services and first responders also rely on resilient communication infrastructure and technology for their response efforts, helping them to manage resources more effectively, as well as communicate critical information.”
For more information about the program, visit:
Provision of Satellite Connections to Emergency Services and Evacuation Centres | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts