Hoddles Creek is located in the upper Yarra Valley, an agricultural centre, significant forested areas. Very poor mobile coverage experienced also impacts occupational safety and smart farming innovation opportunities. The Gembrook-Launching Place Rd (C424) is key emergency egress & access road in a high bushfire danger area.
In 2021 Council commissioned testing of signals of 3 main mobile networks. 25% of locations were of unusable network quality. Depth of coverage is impeded by complex topography, despite carriers’ maps indicating adequate coverage. This area is extremely prone to natural disasters such as bushfire and severe storms.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Kerrabee, Bylong Valley Way
Description of community needs:
Better mobile coverage is urgently needed along Bylong Valley Way from Sandy Hollow to Muswellbrook Shire’s western boundary with Mid Western Regional Council, especially around Kerrabee. This busy route is a key gateway between the Central West and Upper Hunter, serving residents, emergency services, council outdoor staff, other workers visiting the area, and travellers. Poor reception creates safety risks and disrupts communication, and reliable coverage is essential for safety, connectivity, and economic activity in the region. This nomination is supported by feedback from local residents and Council’s Operational Teams.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Myamyn
Description of community needs:
Myamyn, Victoria, is located in a plantation area, primarily known for its forestry and agricultural industries. The region is surrounded by large areas of pine plantations, contributing to its role in timber production and supporting local jobs. Despite its natural beauty and rural charm, Myamyn faces mobile coverage challenges, which can impact safety and communication for residents and visitors. Improved 5G coverage would benefit both the local community and the forestry sector, enabling better access to real-time information, emergency services, and essential communications.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Neligen, Mogo
Description of community needs:
Community members of both Neligen and Mogo advise that the coverage is poor and stifles economic activity, and their ability to connect others.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Emerald
Description of community needs:
More towers/repeater stations are needed right across the LGA—outside of Emerald. Mobile service is now far worse/non-existent with the shutdown of 3G. Service is particularly bad at the southern end of the LGA along the Carnarvon Highway to Rolleston where there is no mobile coverage on long sections of the highway which is a public safety concern.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Peak Down Highway
Description of community needs:
Nature of the issue - mobile reception is limited in the township of Byfield, no phone reception at the campgrounds and state forest in areas. Impacts of the issue - the impacted area includes the local school and store, multiple businesses, as well as tourists travelling in the popular state forest that may be exposed to injury risk and isolation without phone reception. Other relevant information - Byfield is a popular tourist destination with many travellers, residents and businesses impacted by mobile connectivity issues. The location is North of Stoney Creek Road.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Upper Plenty & Glenvale
Description of community needs:
Upper Plenty & Glenvale experience mobile black spots in bushfire-prone areas, delaying emergency calls during accidents on a key route between Whittlesea and Wallan. The 2009 Black Saturday fires emphasised the critical need for reliable communication in these regions. Urgent upgrades to mobile coverage are essential to ensure the safety of residents and travellers, particularly during emergencies or natural disasters like bushfires. Reliable connectivity is vital for effective emergency response and public safety.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Merriang Road – Woodstock
Description of community needs:
Merriang Road – Woodstock is a crucial link connecting Wallan, Donnybrook, Woodstock, and Mernda. However, numerous blackspots impair communication, especially during emergencies. The road serves as an alternative to the Hume Highway, vital during closures caused by accidents, which are becoming more frequent. The 2015 Donnybrook fire further highlighted the need for reliable mobile coverage in the area. Improving mobile coverage along this route is essential to ensure safety, effective emergency response, and better connectivity for residents and travellers.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
39 Mod Crescent, Beaconsfield
Description of community needs:
Residents and local farmers experience extreme difficulty in taking calls, sending messages and accessing internet services.
In an event of a natural disaster could result in lack of access to information and placing additional pressure on emergency services.
Telecommunications is extremely vital in ensuring road users can contact emergency services in the event of an accident on the notoriously dangerous Bruce Highway.
It is also known that terrain impacts signal from towers and on large agricultural properties, loss of telecommunications hinders their productivity and knowing if they are hurt in the paddock, they can call for help.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Stroud, 2425
Description of community needs:
Area at risk from bushfires and floods. Poor and unreliable mobile service and since the closure of 3G coverage has become worse with calls dropping out or not being able to receivie calls. To compound the issue, landline service has also deteriorated and is especially problematic during rain events.
