Show your support for mobile blackspot funding
Thursday, 23 March 2017, 1:07 pm
Press Release: Chris Bishop
Chris Bishop
National List MP
based in Hutt South
Media
statement
23 March
2017
Show your support for Catchpool and
Orongorongo mobile blackspot funding
National
List MP based in Hutt South Chris Bishop MP today launched a
campaign to get mobile coverage in the Catchpool and
Orongorongo valleys in Rimutaka Forest Park. (see https://issues.national.org.nz/support-mobile-coverage/)
The
Catchpool/Orongorongo valleys have been identified as areas
eligible for funding through the government’s Mobile Black
Spot Fund. The fund exists to support the installation of
cell phone towers and provide mobile coverage in tourism
areas (as well as on highways).
“The Rimutaka Forest
Park is a massive asset for the Hutt Valley and particularly
Wainui, with an estimated 100,000 tourists each year. Many
people enter the park using the Catchpool entrance, but the
park is currently a mobile black spot.
“That needs to
change. I’m calling on people in Wainuiomata, the Hutt and
the wider region to show their support for ending the mobile
black spot in the Forest Park by signing online at http://www.chrisbishop.co.nz/support-mobile-coverage
“I’ll
be writing to the Chief Executives of all the major
providers and asking them to put in a tender for ending the
mobile black spot in the park. We need as many people as
possible to show their support so the companies get a strong
indication that this upgrade will be really valued by the
local community, and also visitors to the area.”
The
Catchpool/Orongorongo valleys were included on the
short-list for funding after lobbying from the Wainui Rural
Residents’ Association, Mr Bishop, and other community
groups.
“Stage one is completed – getting onto the
shortlist. Now we need to really send a message that this
area needs mobile coverage!”
People can go to https://issues.national.org.nz/support-mobile-coverage/
to show their
support.
ENDS
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