The Bland Shire is a large Council area predominantly utilised for cropping and agriculture, with communities separated by long distances along the second longest local road network in NSW. The shire is susceptible to flooding and fires.
The village of Mirrool is located on the Newell Highway, near the Burley Griffin Way, and between the nearby towns of Ariah Park and Ardlethan. Mobile network coverage is patchy being on the limits of coverage in the nearby towns.
The Newell/Burley Griffin area is a key location during flood events as it is where northbound traffic is detoured away from flood affected locations north of West Wyalong.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Everton Upper
Description of community needs:
The Beechworth-Wangaratta Road, particularly around the intersection of Boundary Road, Everton Upper has no reliable mobile coverage.
The area supports three premium producing wineries which support tourism and agriculture. Without reliable mobile service it makes it challenging to run a business.
The road is a main commuter road for residents, school students and tourists, linking the towns of Wangaratta and Beechworth. As a high risk bushfire area, increased communication will support local residents and assist to keep residents and tourists safe and connected.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Nanango
Description of community needs:
A constituent lives 25 kilometres from Nanango, her husband has a medical condtion and they live in a 4G/5G blackspot. They use an internet provider for WiFi calling but if the power goes out this does not work. The landline has not worked for efficiently since November 2024.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Red Hill, Main Ridge, eligible areas of Somers, Cape Schanck, Flinders, Shoreham, Point Leo
Description of community needs:
The Mornington Peninsula is part of metro Melbourne, but 70% of the peninsula is more like regional Victoria, where mobile black spots pose severe risks during emergencies.
Storms and floods in 2021, 2022, and 2024 left residents without utilities and mobile reception for weeks, endangering elderly and vulnerable residents and visitors.
Complex challenges such as an ageing population, 8 million+ annual tourists, and post-COVID growth mean poor mobile connectivity threatens lives, and negatively impacts safety, emergency response, and the economy.
Mobile network hardening, more base stations, and co-location of services are essential for reliable connectivity.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Nullawarre
Description of community needs:
Improving mobile coverage in Nullawarre and Childers Cove on the Great Ocean Road is essential for safety, tourism, and local business.
Reliable coverage ensures quick access to emergency services, which can be life-saving. It also enhances the tourist experience, as visitors rely on their phones for navigation and communication.
Better connectivity supports local businesses and encourages economic growth.
Additionally, strong mobile networks allow residents to stay connected and access services like remote work and telemedicine, improving quality of life for all.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Minmi 2287 and the eligible areas of Wallsend and Elermore Vale
Description of community needs:
Intermittent phone reception is a major issue in Minmi and the surrounding areas, impacting daily life and local economic opportunity.
This area which borders bushland is vulnerable to bushfires and improving mobile connectivity is critical for emergency responses to such potential natural disasters.
Minmi and the surrounding areas have also been marked as locations for further housing development and population increases.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Broken Hill Racecourse
Description of community needs:
The installation of a 4G and 5G base station on a new 25 meter structure at Broken Hill's Racecourse is supported by event managers and local residents.
This project aims to resolve connectivity issues affecting major events like Agfair, St Patricks and Silver City Races, which impact trade operations such as EFTPOS and bookmakers. The lack of coverage also raises community concerns during emergencies.
Additionally, the Racecourse serves as a campground and accommodation site before and after the Mundi Mundi Bash leaving visitors without reliable coverage during their stay.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
West Wyalong to Ungarie
Description of community needs:
The Bland Shire is a large Council area predominantly utilised for cropping and agriculture, with communities separated by long distances along the second longest local road network in NSW. The shire is susceptible to flooding and fires.
Mobile network coverage needs improving along the West Wyalong to Condobolin Road that provides a key freight link between West Wyalong and Ungarie, and Condobolin (outside the shire). The route has a history of overland flooding impacting transport connectivity.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
West Wyalong to Rankin Springs
Description of community needs:
The Bland Shire is a large Council area predominantly utilised for cropping and agriculture, with communities separated by long distances along the second longest local road network in NSW.
The shire is susceptible to flooding and fires.
Mobile network coverage needs improving along the Mid Western Highway (West Wyalong and Rankin Springs) that provides a key transport link for freight and toursim between NSW and South Australia.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
TAS
Community Location:
Wielangta Road, Kellevie, Tasmania
Description of community needs:
This proposal aims to address critical mobile black spots in Kellevie, Nugent, and Wielangta Road in the Sorell LGA, Tasmania. These areas are underserved, posing risks to community safety, tourism, and emergency response.
Enhanced coverage will support residents, businesses, and emergency services, particularly along Wielangta Road, which serves as the only feasible alternate direct route between Hobart and the East Coast during natural disasters – as evidenced by the significant impact to communities and businesses caused by the 2021 closure of the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
