Blacktown City Council has taken a major step towards improving mobile phone coverage in the city’ s north-west, releasing an Expression of Interest( EOI) for telecommunications providers to build and operate towers at up to 13 Councilowned sites.

The move reflects Council’ s commitment to enabling improved mobile and internet coverage for the rapidly growing local community,

particularly in high-growth suburbs where demand for reliable services has increased rapidly.

The Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting, said the launch of the EOI is in direct response to feedback from the community, and it reflects Council’ s strong partnership with the Hon. Michelle Rowland MP, local Federal Member for Greenway and Minister for Communications.

“ We’ ve heard from residents and we’ re acting,” Mayor Bunting said.“ Improving connectivity, by enabling better access to mobile and broadband services, is essential, not just for daily life, but for safety, education, health and business. I want to

thank Minister Rowland for her tireless advocacy and for working with us to deliver meaningful improvements for our community.”

The full list of sites is available below and on Council’ s website and through the official procurement portal.

This project isn’ t just about adding infrastructure, it’ s about delivering it smarter,” Mayor Bunting said.“ We’ re focused on improving mobile access, reducing the impact on community and ensuring local land generates value that comes back to the community.”

Council is seeking expressions of interest from experienced providers who can demonstrate technical capability, innovative design, and a commitment to meeting community needs.

Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit detailed bids through a Request for Tender( RFT) process, expected to begin in mid-2025.

Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland welcomed the EOI and commended the progress being made.

“ This is an important milestone for North West Sydney and its surrounding areas. I thank Mayor Brad Bunting and Blacktown City Council for listening to community feedback and acting to help facilitate solutions for these coverage

gaps. We have worked on this for some time and this is how communities, governments and councils should work together,” she said.

The EOI closes on 7 May 2025. The proposed tower locations include: 1. Campbell Park Reserve Richmond Road, off William Street, Blacktown 2148

2. Eastern Creek, Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek NSW 2766

3. Minchinbury Reserve 22 Minchin Drive, Minchinbury NSW 2770 4. Hanna Reserve Oakhurst NSW 2761 5. Corbin Reserve Pye Road, Quakers Hill

NSW 2763 6. Reservoir Road, Off Bristol Circuit,

Blacktown NSW 2148 7. Stanhope Gardens Reserve, Stanhope

Parkway, Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768 8. Blacktown International Sports Park,

Eastern Road, Rooty Hill NSW 2766

9. Douglas Reserve, Ridgeline Drive opposite Eumina Street, The Ponds NSW 2769

10. Ken Birdsey Park, Sciberras Avenue,

Schofields NSW 2762 11. Rouse Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155 12. Marsden Park, Off Bolwarra Drive,

Marsden Park NSW 2765 13. Melonba, Off Jackwood Crescent,

Melonba NSW 2765