A small coastal village with a population of around 3,500 with many retirees, plus tourism is an important contributor to the local economy. Harrington has significant telecommunication issues, which is greatly exasperated during school holidays. The community are unable to make or receive calls, the internet is totally unreliable, businesses cannot use EFTPOS and citizens are unable to make triple zero emergency calls.
Natural Disaster risk examples include:
One road in/out scenario. 2019/20 Bushfires. The Village was threatened.
The 2021 floods – The road was cut off by flood water for around 4 days.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Pirron Yallack
Description of community needs:
Pirron Yallack is located along the Princes Highway, situated between Camperdown and Colac. A key priority for Colac Otway Shire Council is improving mobile phone coverage in Pirron Yallack, with essential upgrades to 5G coverage required.
The Princes Highway is a critical freight route connecting the South Australian border to Geelong and is also a busy road serving as an entry point for travellers heading to the Great Ocean Road. Given the area's importance for both local residents and passing travellers, reliable mobile phone coverage is imperative for communication, safety, and emergency response.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Port Fairy
Description of community needs:
Port Fairy, Victoria experiences significant mobile phone capacity issues, particularly during peak periods such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival. The influx of visitors during these times overwhelms the mobile network, leading to dropped calls, slow data speeds, and difficulty accessing emergency services. This creates frustration for both locals and tourists, who rely on mobile communication for safety, navigation, and staying connected. Addressing the capacity issues in Port Fairy is crucial to ensure reliable service for residents, businesses, and visitors, especially during high-demand events like the Folk Festival.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Marlee, Killabakh and Bobin
Description of community needs:
Impacted severely in the 2019/2020 bushfire season Marlee, Killabakh and Bobin saw high levels of destruction, including properties and other vital infrastructure. The ability for communities to communicate between themselves and authorities continues to be lacking due to communication infrastructure damage. Continued residual and ongoing problems with mobile telecommunications access in these areas is a key risk which needs to be mitigated in preparation for potential future emergencies.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Booubyjan and the Wide Bay and Burnett Highways between Kilkivan, Murgon, and Ban Ban Springs, except in the Tansey area.
Description of community needs:
The lack of coverage creates a dangerous situation on these important highways, particularly the flash flood prone stretch of Burnett Highway with multiple trap points. The area is also a high accident and fatigue zone, with no emergency services radio coverage. There was loss of life and serious endangerment during ex-tropical Cyclone Seth in January 2022, with motorists unable to call for emergency assistance or receive warnings of potential flood events. Farm and rural safety would also benefit from mobile coverage in this area. The proposal is supported by Deb Frecklington MP, Gympie Regional Council, and emergency services.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
This region experiences regular flooding, frequently rendering the road impassable. Reliable connectivity is crucial for motorists to contact assistance when needed. Improved coverage would also enable Council to deploy automated flood warning devices, enhancing public safety.
Emergency response services report several recent incidents of delayed response due to poor connectivity, highlighting the critical need for improvement. The area supports significant intensive agriculture, generating substantial traffic flow, particularly during peak harvest season. Existing private infrastructure on adjoining properties may offer sharing opportunities.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Barramunga 3249
Description of community needs:
Barramunga, located in the Otways (postcode 3249), is a small rural town that relies on mobile phone coverage for everyday life.
Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, the town depends on reliable telecommunications for both personal and community needs. Barramunga is in close proximity to the popular Stevensons Falls, a key tourist destination.
With fire risks present in the region, many campers and tourists rely on the VicEmergency app for up-to-date fire conditions and safety information. Ensuring strong mobile coverage is essential for keeping both locals and visitors informed and safe during emergencies.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Gellibrand 3239
Description of community needs:
Gellibrand, located in the Otways in western Victoria (postcode 3239), is a rural town with a close-knit community that relies on mobile phone coverage for everyday life. The town, surrounded by farming land and natural beauty, depends on reliable telecommunications for both business and personal use.
With fires currently in close proximity (February 2024) and a high number of campers in the area, the VicEmergency app is a vital tool for real-time updates on fire conditions. Ensuring strong mobile coverage in Gellibrand is crucial for keeping both residents and visitors informed and safe during emergencies.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Wilby
Description of community needs:
Wilby is a small township in the Moira LGA, since the 3G shutdown there has been significant connectivity issues regarding emergency services. This transition has led to disruptions in emergency response times. This change has affected both personal safety and business operations. Emergency response applications like BART and SAS are unreliable or non-existent, and businesses also face safety problems with contacting workforce and delays in critical tasks and communication delays. Many CFA members has expressed considerable concern with multiple letters sent to Moira Shire highlighting reduced and nonexistent connectivity since the change.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Yarroweyah
Description of community needs:
Yarroweyah is situated on the Murray Valley Highway, a major transport route for tourism and transportation. Since the 3G shutdown, service has been inconsistent, particularly during the peak summer tourist season, with frequent "SOS only" signals and minimal data connectivity. This has affected both personal safety and business operations. Emergency response agencies such as VICSES and CFA have provided feedback to council regarding the connectivity concerns and delay in messaging through agency specific alert systems.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
