Connectivity boost for Indigenous council areas
Through a $1 million commitment satellite dishes were rapidly deployed in high priority locations across Queensland, providing more effective and reliable broadband coverage in many First Nations councils.
The Rapid Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Deployment Program provided funding for 86 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite dishes to 17 Indigenous councils.
The program provided improved digital infrastructure for an interim period while larger infrastructure projects are delivered to increase digital inclusion. Funding of $45,000 was allocated for each community (more for the Torres Strait region), which provided approximately 5 satellite dishes for each location.
The program was a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland, who oversaw council applications and distribution of funding for the Starlink satellite dishes.
Councils which benefited from Program funding included:
- Aurukun
- Cherbourg
- Doomadgee
- Hope Vale
- Kowanyama
- Lockhart River
- Mapoon
- Mornington Island
- Napranum
- Northern Peninsula Area
- Palm Island
- Pormpuraaw
- Woorabinda
- Wujal Wujal
- Yarrabah
- Torres Shire
- Torres Strait Island Regional Council