The project will deliver one State-wide digital, public-safety grade radio network that will initially be used by eight government organisations. The network, which is to be designed, built, tested and operated by Telstra with support from several key sub-contractors, will replace five separate radio networks currently used within Tasmania.

"The TasGRN will help to ensure that Tasmania's emergency services and other government organisations have modern, resilient and fit-for-purpose communications to support their operations," said Kylie Diwell, Partner, MinterEllison.

"The demand for public entities to have access to reliable and robust communications facilities has been increasing in recent years. The growth in emergency events, including extreme weather events, requires a rapid response from government. Now more than ever public bodies need to communicate with speed and seamlessly between their organisations.

"The negotiation phase of the project was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that all of the negotiations had to be undertaken via video conferencing.

"It is testament to the hard work and persistence of everyone involved that we were able to achieve contract signing by the end of 2020, despite the State's and Telstra's teams being spread over two states and, for much of the period, working from home. This will enable design and construction works to commence early in 2021."

MinterEllison has been working with the Tasmanian Government on the project for more than two and a half years.

MinterEllison worked with the State and other advisors to develop the requirements for the project, prepare the agreement for the delivery and operation of the TasGRN, assist with the preparation of tender documentation, evaluation of the tenders, and negotiated with Telstra as the preferred tenderer.

"We are pleased to have been able to assist the Tasmanian Government with such a critical project, and to bring the benefit of our experience working on similar arrangements in Victoria."

The MinterEllison team was led by Kylie Diwell (Partner). She was supported by Nicole Reid (Special Counsel) and Fiona Lewis (Special Counsel), with specialist input and support provided by a large team including Peter Block (Partner), Cameron Ross (Partner), Anthony Poynton (Partner), Adrian Varasso (Partner), David Moore (Partner), Greg Carfoot (Partner), Sean Bradley (Special Counsel), Robert Yunan (Special Counsel), David Andrewartha (Senior Associate), Mellissa Lai (Senior Associate), Elizabeth Yick (Senior Associate), Ingrid Zhang (Associate), Adrian Botta (Lawyer) and Gary Yang (Lawyer).