Macarthur, Victoria, is a rural community known for its agricultural significance and scenic landscapes. However, the area faces challenges with limited mobile phone coverage, especially in more remote parts.
This lack of reliable service impacts local residents, farmers, and businesses who depend on mobile communication for day-to-day operations, safety, and staying connected with services. During emergencies, the inability to make calls or access important information can be dangerous. Improving mobile coverage in Macarthur is essential to ensure better communication, enhance safety, and support local economic activities.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Kangaroo Ground
Description of community needs:
The peri-urban fringe and rural areas of Jagajaga, including Henley Road, Wattle Glen Road, and Yarra Glen Road in Kangaroo Ground, face significant connectivity and infrastructure challenges. Yarra Glen Road is a key route with high traffic, especially from tourists exploring the Yarra Valley. Additionally, mobile coverage, particularly 4G and 5G, is inconsistent or absent in some areas, posing difficulties for communication and emergency services, particularly during car accidents and bushfires. We are actively working with Nillumbik Shire Council to improve mobile coverage in these areas.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Nirranda
Description of community needs:
Nirranda, Victoria, is a rural community that faces challenges with limited mobile phone coverage. The lack of reliable service affects both residents and local businesses, making communication difficult, particularly in emergencies. Farmers and businesses depend on mobile phones for day-to-day operations, logistics, and staying connected with services.
In emergency situations, the inability to access mobile coverage can delay response times and hinder safety. Improving mobile coverage in Nirranda is crucial to ensure better communication, enhance safety, and support the local economy, benefiting both residents and visitors.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Bandon Grove - 2420
Description of community needs:
Worsening mobile signal, which started before the closure of 3G (and has subsequently has not improved ) including residents with zero signal is vital for the community. Back up landline increasingly unreliable during wet periods.
Much of the road from Bandon Grove to Dungog no longer has mobile signal.
The area is very exposed to serious bushfires that emanate from the adjoining Chichester State Forest. Also located adjacent to the Chichester River and low-lying roads flooding is a major issue with access to and from the area frequently cut.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Carlisle River 3239
Description of community needs:
Carlisle River, a rural village in the Otway Ranges (30 kilometres south-west of Colac), has a population of 135, which surges in summer, straining mobile phone reception.
During a recent Extreme Fire Danger day, local firefighter Chris, stationed at the CFA, was unable to contact his Captain due to network congestion from visitors.
Improving mobile coverage would ensure better communication for emergency services, particularly CFA volunteers, during high fire danger days, enabling timely responses and enhancing safety in the area.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Pooncarie NSW
Description of community needs:
Proposed target location for improved coverage in Wentworth Shire Council area town of Pooncarie. Limited coverage from Pooncarie to 40 kilometres south for a very small area then nil coverage to Fletcher's Lake Road.
No phone service to call an emergency. Limited coverage for properties and business to report emergencies.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Dareton
Description of community needs:
Proposed target location for improved coverage in Wentworth Shire Council town of Dareton. The Dareton Township is plagued by poor mobile phone coverage and there is a significant degradation of mobile phone coverage past Namatjira Avenue (Sturt Highway) and River Road (Boeil Creek) that results in all known telcos being reliant on 3G coverage which is being phased out.
This is leaving residents, tourists and locals without acceptable phone coverage in these locations. Both of these locations are on significant roads.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Colac West
Description of community needs:
Colac West, located along the Princes Highway, is home to Colac's industrial estate and is one of the largest towns in the Wannon electorate.
A key priority for Colac Otway Shire Council is improving mobile phone coverage in Colac West. The Princes Highway is a critical freight route connecting the South Australian border to Geelong and serves as a busy road for travellers heading to the Great Ocean Road.
Given the area's significance for local businesses, residents, and passing travellers, reliable mobile coverage is crucial for communication, safety, and emergency response.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Krambach and surrounds 2429
Description of community needs:
Krambach is a small village that lies on the Bucketts Way, Southwest of Taree. It is a farming community with a lot of forested area in the surrounds. Hilly and undulating country.
Mobile phone is critical for residents and emergency services. Bushfires are a major threat for the region, as they were in 2020. Mobile coverage is very patchy, and unreliable. During holiday periods with an influx of visitors on the coast nearby, the mobile signal gets even worse. Need additional capacity and more towers.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Kindon, Gore Highway. Lotplan 5MH663, Coordinates: 150.73964, -28.07935
Description of community needs:
This is forestry area that experienced recent fires in 2022, 2023. The Gore Highway, a major thoroughfare with approximately 2246 vehicles daily, is regularly closed immediately southwest of this location due to flooding. The Kindon area serves as the primary diversion route during these closures.
Reliable mobile coverage is essential to ensure motorists receive timely alerts, warnings, and detour instructions, mitigating the risk of them becoming trapped by floodwaters. For heavy vehicles, this area often represents the last safe opportunity to turn around and avoid the closures. Improved connectivity is vital for public safety during emergencies.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
