Moorabool communities to benefit from telecommunications funding
Published on 06 January 2026
Recreation Reserves, community halls and local CFA buildings in Moorabool are big winners in successfully obtaining Commonwealth funding to improve their telecommunications.
Ten places in Moorabool will receive funding under the Federal Government’s Skymuster Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) Program.
Ballan Recreation Reserve, Ballan Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, Lal Lal Community Hall, Clarendon Recreation Reserve, Myrniong Hall, and CFA sheds in Greendale, Blackwood, Rowsley, Balliang and Parwan have all had successful outcomes from expression of interest submissions.
The funding will be used to install Skymuster wifi internet via NBN to their premises.
This will add to the eight sites that were successful for funding in 2021: Coimadai CFA Shed, Dunnstown Recreation Reserve, Elaine Mechanics Hall, Gordon Public Hall, Korweinguboora Recreation Reserve, Mount Egerton Hall, Mt Wallace Public Hall and Navigators Hall. These places have had their funding extended until the end of 2027.
Council was asked to nominate additional sites used for emergency relief centres or where the community may shelter if isolated during emergency events where the Federal Government could install wifi.
Mayor Cr Venditti-Taylor said it was wonderful to see so many additional Moorabool locations receive the funding.
“With a quick turnaround required on the EOI process, Council’s emergency management team and the Moorabool Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee nominated sites where emergency relief centres may be required during emergency events, so we’re delighted to see every one of them receive this vital telecommunications infrastructure that will be invaluable during emergencies, such as the upcoming bushfire season,” Cr Venditti-Taylor said.
“Places like Ballan Recreation Reserve and the Ballan Racecourse Reserve will be key facilities used for our community if an emergency occurs within the shire.”
Council is currently working with committees of managements and CFA representatives of the ten new locations to help with the installation process when it commences in 2026.
The STAND Program has been extended to provide NBN services to 500 new sites across Australia with Moorabool having all 10 of our nominations accepted.
Further details of the program are available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications/internet/provision-satellite-connections-emergency-services-and-evacuation-centres