Residents of Low Head, situated at the mouth of the Tamar River within the electorate of Bass, have notice a marked deterioration in mobile phone reception and mobile internet.
Coverage in the area has always been patchy, but lately has become almost non-existent, leading to strong representation from constituents and organisations.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Irrewillipe
Description of community needs:
Irrewillipe, Victoria, relies on efficient mobile communication for safety and daily operations.
However, Tomahawk Creek Road has poor reception, creating a significant black spot in the area. This lack of mobile coverage limits access to emergency services and hinders communication for residents and businesses. During emergencies, timely alerts and contact with services are critical, and the current coverage gaps put residents at risk.
Upgrading mobile coverage along Tomahawk Creek Road would improve safety, communication, and support economic activities for the Irrewillipe community.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Hawkesdale
Description of community needs:
Hawkesdale is a rural town in western Victoria with over 300 residents who rely on mobile phone coverage.
The town has a P-12 school and a large farming community, both dependent on telecommunications for business and daily life. After being impacted by bushfires in 2018, the need for reliable mobile coverage became even more critical during emergencies.
Situated along a key freight and tourist route from Warrnambool to Dunkeld and the Grampians, mobile communication is vital for both residents and travelers to stay connected and safe in case of emergencies.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Merton Road, Whetstone/Wyaga. Lotplan 13MH607, Coordinates: 150.80169, -28.34736
Description of community needs:
This rural area, bordering state forest and used for broadacre cropping, experiences poor reception impacting residents, especially during emergencies. Fire events in 2022, 2023 highlight the critical need for communication; residents were unable to contact each other or emergency services.
Emergency alerts were sent to residents and were unreliable whether they were received or not. Improved coverage would also benefit traffic on the Cunningham (Annual Average Daily Traffic of 1118 vehicles) and Gore Highways (AADT of 1615 vehicles). Existing towers to the east and south, and potentially local forestry infrastructure (fire towers), could be used.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
This area experiences significant riverine flooding (14 moderate-high flood levels since 2000) posing a serious threat to safety. Kildonan Road is a dedicated tourist route serving three reserves popular for camping.
Reliable connectivity is crucial for warning campers of impending flood rises, mitigating risk and enabling timely evacuations. The road has eight steep creek crossings that become impassable during floods, frequently stranding motorists.
Improved coverage allow stranded individuals to call for assistance. Furthermore, improved coverage would benefit surrounding intensive agricultural area and the nearby Toomelah Aboriginal Settlement.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Darraweit Guim
Description of community needs:
Mobile Tower. Reception is extremely poor and could cause a significant issue in a bushfire or emergency situation. It also makes everyday life difficult for my constituents who rely on service for work and communications of every kind.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Yeodene
Description of community needs:
Yeodene, Victoria, is home to Treetop Adventures, a key tourist destination offering canopy walks and treetop experiences. Reliable mobile phone coverage is essential for tourists, allowing navigation, staying connected with accommodations, and accessing emergency services. However, parts of Yeodene, especially around Treetop Adventures, experience limited mobile service, which impacts both visitors and local businesses. Upgrading mobile coverage in this area would enhance safety, improve the tourist experience, and support local economic activity, benefiting both residents and visitors.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Pottsville town centre/ CBD, Black Rocks, Seabreeze Estate (Seabreeze Boulevard - Pottsville), Wooyung and Cudgera Creek
Description of community needs:
In 2023 the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation undertook a major review. This report identified deficiency in infrastructure across the Tweed.
One of the major black spot areas in the Tweed that is within the eligible areas for the Mobile Black Spot Program Round 8 is the Pottsville town centre and surrounds.
This is a significant coastal township along the Tweed Coast with a population of over 7,000 people which suffers very poor mobile reception.
This is exacerbated during holiday periods when the overnight and Southeast Queensland day tripper numbers can easily double these numbers.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Allyn River and Salisbury Areas (including Paterson River Road, Allyn River Road and Salisbury Road)
Description of community needs:
Dungog LGA has inconsistencies with mobile coverage, both local residents and visitors experience ongoing loss in mobile reception in the Allyn River and Salisbury areas.
This area is prone to flooding, bushfires and with the lack of connectivity in the far reaches of the Paterson River Road, Allyn River Road and Salisbury Road areas this impacts emergency response capabilities.
Emergency Services and community feedback has identified these locations are in need of improved coverage to ensure reliable and efficient responses during natural disasters, foster quicker recovery efforts and enable better prepared residents and visitors.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Gloucester
Description of community needs:
Gloucester CBD and industrial zones mobile coverage are a significant concern for local businesses and public safety. Disruptions in essential communication hinder productivity and deter potential clients, causing lost business opportunities; it poses serious risks during emergencies, particularly in flooding and bushfire events. Heavy rainfall and bushfires can isolate residents and cut off access to critical medical services. Urgent action is needed to address these connectivity issues.
