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:
VIC
Community Location:
Moutajup
Description of community needs:
Moutajup, Victoria located near Dunkeld and the Grampians, faces mobile coverage challenges that limit tourism potential. Improved 5G connectivity would enhance the visitor experience by providing better access to navigation, real-time information, and emergency services. As a gateway to Dunkeld and the Grampians, better coverage would help tourists find local attractions, accommodations, and services with ease, boosting the local economy. Reliable mobile connectivity would also encourage tourists to share their experiences, increasing the region's appeal and supporting long-term growth in tourism.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Romsey
Description of community needs:
Romsey has a single Optus tower in the town centre, with Telstra equipment placed lower on the same tower, resulting in weak reception on the outskirts. Romsey is a large growing town with new estates, the coverage gap widens, impacting residents, businesses, and emergency services. Poor mobile reception limits communication, posing safety risks during emergencies. The region has faced bushfires and storms, highlighting the need for reliable connectivity. Macedon Ranges Shire Council, CFA, and residents support improved coverage to enhance safety, emergency response, and daily connectivity as the town continues to expand.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
136 Geeberga Buthurra Road, Kattabul
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:
TAS
Community Location:
Low Head
Description of community needs:
Mobile phone reception and internet at Low Head has always been substandard but it now appears to be virtually non-existent. This is a major problem for community safety, conducting routine daily tasks, community interaction, and is diabolical for tourism and other businesses in the area.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
159 Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach
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:
Monkerai, 2415
Description of community needs:
The area is prone to both flooding and bushfires, and for those who still have a landline, increasingly landline is becoming less reliable, especially at times of high rainfall. The Monkerai area has NO service at all, years ago the service up there was great. Many people at the time discontinued landline as it was deemed the double up was not necessary and the mobile was more practical.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Mt Macedon, Macedon
Description of community needs:
Mt Macedon and Macedon suffer from severe mobile black spots, impacting residents, businesses, and emergency services. Poor reception hampers communication, especially during disasters like the Ash Wednesday bushfire, which burned 6,100 hectares and destroyed 50 houses. Reliable telecommunications have been a longstanding issue, posing significant risks to safety and emergency response. Despite mobile tower on the mountain, they service towns below rather than the mountain itself. Macedon Ranges Shire Council, CFA, and residents support improved coverage to enhance disaster preparedness, tourism, and daily connectivity.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Bundabah-Pindimar 2324
Description of community needs:
Area designated “extreme” for bushfire danger with consequences “catastrophic”. No mobile coverage whatsoever. Mobile phone usage only possible through the NBN Wi-Fi calling feature (only available to NBN customers).
Wi-Fi is entirely dependent on main power - therefore unavailable during power outage. As with landline operating via the NBN. Emergency calls should theoretically connect via satellite-in practice this does not occur.
Community risk and safety concerns: 1. High Fire Risk- Limited Evacuation Options 2. Limited Access routes - Restricted Emergency Access 3. Vulnerable Population 4. Population Growth and Unregulated Residence
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Armstrong
Description of community needs:
Nature of the issue—entire residential suburb with recurring mobile reception outages, and ongoing mobile data issues.
Impacts of the issue—many elderly residents dependent on Telstra payphone as NBN connection is also unreliable.
Natural Disasters—region has been impacted by cyclones in the last 10 years.
Other relevant information—more than 15 kilometres to medical assistance, multiple businesses impacted.
