Media release – Mark Shelton, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 9 August 2020
Tasmanian Government Radio Network
Contract negotiations have commenced between the Tasmanian Government and Telstra to build the new Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN), which will modernise our emergency services and government agency communications.
TasGRN will replace five existing, separate radio networks to create one unified, digital and interoperable Government Radio Network.
The new network will initially be used by eight organisations including Tasmania Police, Tasmania Fire Service, Ambulance Tasmania, State Emergency Service, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, TasNetworks and Hydro Tasmania.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Mark Shelton said the TasGRN will allow these key organisations to better serve the Tasmanian community and keep Tasmanians safe.
“Recent events both here, 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,” Minister Shelton said.
“The new TasGRN will give our emergency services and key government agencies an integrated radio network that is purpose-built for the needs of Tasmania. This delivers on past review recommendations, including the 2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry into the Dunalley bushfires”.
“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 the network is up and running”
Telstra Enterprise Group Executive Michael Ebeid AM said the TasGRN would be the largest single project Telstra had ever carried out in Tasmania and would transform the way government agencies communicate.
“This will be a brand new government public safety grade radio network that will be fit-for-purpose, meeting the demands of a modern Tasmania and the more than 10,000 employees and volunteers who’ll use it,” Mr Ebeid said.
Jen Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 10 August 2020
Lack of unified emergency radio system putting lives at risk
Government inaction to prioritise development of a single, unified emergency radio communication system will put lives at risk.
A Parliamentary Committee heard today that the Department of Police and Emergency Management has warned the government about the implications of delays in establishing the system.
Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Jen Butler said Tasmania is the only state without a contemporary P25 standard radio network.
“Multiple agencies can be involved in the response to an emergency in Tasmania. Without a unified communications system, the effectiveness of the response is compromised and people’s lives can be put at risk.
“The need for a single, unified emergency radio communication system has been clearly demonstrated, including through the tragedy of the Dunalley bushfires. The Liberals have had six years to implement the recommendations from that inquiry, but all they’ve managed to do is spend money on consultants.
“A significant portion of the existing radio networks have been in use for more than twenty years, with multiple aspects being described as operating with a “high risk of failure”.
“Agencies that respond to emergencies were told the network would be up and running by this year– but with contract negotiations only just underway, latest information suggests the network is at least another three years away.
“The lack of a unified system is risking the safety and efficiency of first responders and agencies during an emergency, and putting the lives of Tasmanians at risk.
“This is yet another demonstration of the government’s inability to deliver major projects of vital importance to Tasmanians.”
