MBSP

State or Territory: NSW

Community Location: Bulahdelah, Pindimar, Markwell, Coolongolook, Bungwahl

Description of community needs:

Bulahdelah, the Pacific Highway and nearby areas are some of the busiest traffic corridors in NSW. Outside of holiday periods residents of Bulahdelah describe the coverage in town as being 'patchy' at best. During holiday periods service often to drops to levels where small businesses cannot operate. A small business owner who works from home recently reported typical internet speeds of between 0.1mbps and 2.0mbps during the Christmas 2024 period. These areas are highly susceptible to fires and floods, in recent times residents were cut-off for 3days and mobile coverage dropped out more than once.

State or Territory: VIC

Community Location: Moonambel - CFA Tower, Stawell-Avoca Road, Moonambel Victoria 3478 - lon: 143.245361 lat: -36.999797

Description of community needs:

Mobile coverage in Moonambel, Barkly and Warrenmang is particularly patchy and has numerous black spots. This area hosts iconic wineries with tourism, a strong focus for the region along with agriculture. Capacity of the current network during peak visitation times impacts the visitor experience and safety. Home to a strong agricultural and viticulture sector, both industry, tourism and community would benefit from improved service. The lack of digital connectivity options in this area has repeatedly been raised as a long-standing issue for residents in this community. Increased mobile coverage would benefit farm, tourism and rural safety.

State or Territory: SA

Community Location: Kingston, Cape Jaffa, Robe, Beachport, Southend

Description of community needs:

Community feedback has identified many locations in MacKillop with significant connectivity issues which appear to have been further impacted by the recent shut-down of the 3G network. This lack of service has severe consequences. Mobile coverage is critical for emergency communication and access to assistance in rural and regional areas.

Tourism influx into coastal towns during peak seasons has identified local mobile phone towers unable to manage the explosive growth in demand for internet data and mobile. The current situation demonstrates a lack of commitment to providing equitable services for those living outside urban centres.

State or Territory: SA

Community Location: Weetulta; Winulta; The Pines; Tickera; Urania; Wool Bay; Sheoak Flat; Port Rickaby; Port Rickaby; Nalyappa Road, Maitland; Treasure Road, Brentwood; Klein Point; Innes National Park; Corny Point; Sandilands

Description of community needs:

Feedback has been received from constituents about the above locations. Rural locations often have difficulty in obtaining full coverage but achieving it is no less important than in metropolitan areas. Regional business relies on connectivity to conduct ever-increasing online functions and volunteer emergency services respond to calls for assistance using the same.

It is vitally important that the above get addressed.

State or Territory: VIC

Community Location: Barongarook

Description of community needs:

Barongarook, located in Colac Otway Shire, faces challenges with mobile phone coverage. As a key route for freight and travellers heading to the Great Ocean Road, reliable services are essential for safety and communication. The Old Beechy Rail Trail, a popular tourist destination nearby, also suffers from poor mobile coverage, limiting connectivity for visitors. Improving 5G coverage would support better communication for both locals and tourists, enhance safety, and boost economic growth.

State or Territory: NSW

Community Location: Wee Jasper

Description of community needs:

Wee Jasper, a remote community in NSW, faces persistent challenges due to poor mobile phone reception. The lack of reliable coverage disrupts daily activities, hinders access to telehealth and digital services, and isolates residents from vital communication networks.

In emergencies like bushfires or medical incidents, the absence of dependable mobile service poses serious risks. Investment in modern telecommunications infrastructure is essential to safeguard lives, foster economic development, and close the connectivity gap that continues to disadvantage this remote community.

State or Territory: NSW

Community Location: Harrington, Crowdy Head, Moorland, and Lansdowne

Description of community needs:

Residents and visitors face severe connectivity challenges in these areas, reporting weak to no service across home and business locations. A survey conducted by the Harrington and Surrounds Business Association concluded that communications during emergencies and natural hazards, including reliability, resilience, speed, and coverage were not suitable.

The frequency of issues is daily, worsening during peak periods, having a detrimental impact on the local economy. With an older age demographic, availability of service is critical. The areas are subject to flooding and bushfire, with road accessibility limited in some areas as well.

State or Territory: QLD

Community Location: Kennedy Highway, Mareeba to Tichum Creek stretch

Description of community needs:

This Highway is heavily trafficked by locals and tourists; Cairns and the Tablelands are major tourism hubs. The Tichum Creek area (Mareeba area) is a Tourist Site on this particularly treacherous stretch of road which includes a large overtaking lane where accidents frequently occur.

No mobile service only exacerbates this danger. The black spot continues along the highway towards Cairns, with another overtaking lane (near Kanervo Road) having no reception.

State or Territory: NSW

Community Location: The Pines - Pindari Dam, Ashford NSW

Description of community needs:

Proposed tower site is 151º15’30”E, 29º20’55”S. This site will serve Pindari Dam with an estimated 30,000 visitors annually. The tower would provide coverage north of the dam serviced by the Ashford to Emmaville Road, the Severn River Valley west of Pindari Dam and surrounding areas, being an area with an estimated population of 200 plus visitors to Pindari Dam recreation area.

This area has little or no existing coverage. Current annual agricultural production in the proposed coverage area is valued at $30 million.

State or Territory: VIC

Community Location: Yalla-Y-Poora

Description of community needs:

Mobile coverage in Yalla-Y-Poora and Stoneleigh is particularly patchy. Home to a strong agricultural sector, both industry and community would benefit from improved service. The lack of digital connectivity in this area has repeatedly been raised as a long-standing issue for residents in this community. Increased mobile coverage would benefit farm and rural safety in this region and is strongly supported by local residents. 

The Pyrenees Shire Council supports proposals to improve mobile coverage, aiming for better connectivity and resilience in emergencies and this site was identified as in need of new infrastructure.