Optus Completes $5.1 million network investment across Coffs Coast

As part of its ongoing commitment to the Coffs Harbour region, Optus has donated 15 Junior Nipper Boards to the Coffs Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club, in a two-year sponsorship agreement announced today by CEO Allen Lew.

In addition to the boards, the agreement will see Optus provide high visibility rash shirts for all junior members of the Club, as well as Optus becoming a Gold Sponsor of the Club, playing an active role in supporting the Club’s key community events across the year including the Club’s Australia Day Fun Run.

Lew was joined today at Coffs Harbour SLSC by surf club Director, Rachael Smyth.

“Optus understands the time and effort invested voluntarily by club members to patrol beaches, train bronze medallion holders and nippers, and make sure beaches are safe for visitors. For Optus it makes sense to give back and support the things that are important to the local community.”

“In addition to supporting key community initiatives our sponsorship will see Optus provide the Club with 15 new Junior Nipper Boards, which will help support the Club in training future lifeguards.”

Rachael Smyth, Director of Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club highlighted the importance of the Club having access to new equipment.

“It’s great to have Optus on board as a new partner. These new boards for our Nippers will play an important role in training up the next generation of lifesavers who will patrol our beaches. We have an incredibly active SLSC community here on the Coast and this generous donation will go a long way to ensuring our Club continues to grow, for the benefit of our local community,” Smyth said.

Optus has invested significantly to upgrade and build new sites across the network in and around the Coffs Harbour with 26 sites currently operating across the region and more than $5.1 million poured into new telecommunications infrastructure in the area in last three years. This financial year Optus will also build a further three new sites in Coffs Harbour located at Moonee Beach, Sawtell South and a Mobile Black Spot at Brierfield.

“Our investment in this region is about providing the people who live and work here with a reliable network that enables them to stay connected. We are focused on delivering choice and exceptional value to our customers, as well as offering a robust 4G network that can support both the residents and 1.5 million visitors that holiday in the area each year,’ added Lew.

In the last 12 months Optus has switched on a new site, Cloud Creek in Coffs Harbour as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot program. A further seven new sites have been built across the Coffs Coast over last three years including Woolooga Town Centre, Bonville, South Urunga, Boambee, Nymboida, Bowraville and Valla Beach. These sites have helped to improve coverage along the Pacific Highway, along the Armidale to Grafton Road as well as improving capacity in seasonal holiday locations along the coast.

Coffs Harbour is one of hundreds of regional areas enjoying the benefits of Optus’ superfast 4G Plus network, which now reaches 97.3% of Australians.