Investing in the technology to keep Tasmanians safe

12 November 2020

Mark Shelton MP

2020-21 Budget: Investing in the technology to keep Tasmanians safe

Keeping Tasmanians safe is a priority for the Tasmanian Government and that is why we are funding the delivery of the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN) as part of this year’s State Budget.

This significant technology project will modernise the way our emergency services and government agencies communicate, helping them to keep us safe.

Telstra is the preferred tenderer to deliver the TasGRN and replace five existing, separate radio networks to create one unified, digital and interoperable Government Radio Network.

The Budget and forward estimates confirms the provision of $121 million over four years for the new network that will initially be used by eight organisations allowing them to better serve the Tasmanian community.

Recent events here in Tasmania, and in other Australian jurisdictions, have shown us how important it is to have fast and secure communications to respond to bushfires, floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

The TasGRN project is expected to create up to 50 jobs during the three year construction phase, with additional positions to help run and oversee the network once it’s up and running.

The total value of the project is anticipated to be in the order of $500 million and is subject to contract negotiations and the agreed timeframe for provision of services.

The new network will be used by Tasmania Police, the Tasmania Fire Service, Ambulance Tasmania, the State Emergency Service, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, TasNetworks and Hydro Tasmania.

This is a Budget that creates jobs and provides the certainty and confidence our community needs.