Resilient and safe communities

The recent bushfires and floods in NSW highlighted the importance of telecommunications coverage, capacity and resilience in ensuring community safety, for example to receive critical warnings, contact family and friends and receive post-emergency information. Equally this connectivity is critical for emergency services organisations to deliver effective and well-coordinated response activities. Both commercial telecommunications networks and the Public Safety Network play a key role in enabling the safety of people during natural disasters and emergencies.

Digital connectivity networks support safety at home, work and when travelling

In practice, this should mean:

1. All citizens and businesses have access to essential telecommunication and digital services during emergencies and natural disasters.
2. Customers using government infrastructure, such as roads and trains, have reliable connectivity.
3. Government agencies, businesses and citizens are supported to improve their cyber-security awareness and practices.
4. Government agencies and councils are supported to maintain optimal cyber-security practices in respect of current and new digital connectivity investments, in line with the 2027 Cyber-Security Strategy.

First responders are connected and safe

In practice, this should mean:

1. Emergency service providers have access to robust, unified and reliable communications throughout the state, and inter-state, during emergencies and natural disasters.
2. Intelligent and real-time data support natural disaster warning systems and emergency decision-making.
3. Data-sharing enables the NSW Government to know where critical connectivity assets are located to ensure they are protected.