In 2022, Lockhart Shire Council conducted a community-wide survey to evaluate phone and internet connectivity across the region. A total of 215 responses revealed significant issues with mobile reception.
Milbrulong face long-standing connectivity issues. Survey respondents highlighted:
"Reception is unreliable."
"We rarely get more than 1 bar; service used to be better."
The area's vulnerability to bushfires and flooding exacerbates the impact. Businesses cannot operate effectively without reliable communication infrastructure.
Full survey results are available from the contact provided.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Tootool
Description of community needs:
In 2022, Lockhart Shire Council conducted a community-wide survey to evaluate phone and internet connectivity across the region. A total of 215 responses revealed significant issues with mobile reception.
Tootool residents face severe connectivity challenges, reporting weak mobile reception and inadequate internet options. Key feedback included:
"We are in a black spot with no mobile service or NBN fixed wireless coverage." "Signal strength decreased after the 5G upgrade." "There’s no mobile service for calls."
The area's vulnerability to bushfires and flooding exacerbates the impact. Businesses cannot operate effectively without reliable communication infrastructure.
Full survey results available from the contact provided.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Murrays Beach, Cams Wharf, Nords Wharf, Catherine Hill Bay, Crangan Bay, Moonee, Frazer Park, Wybung, Freemans
Description of community needs:
Mobile phone reception in the northern Central Coast and southern Lake Macquarie is essential for residents and businesses as well as visitors to the area.
Reception in our community has been notoriously patchy and a source of significant frustration for locals.
The Gwandalan-Summerland Point RFS is located within this area so quality, reliable mobile phone reception is essential for them as well as residents in times of emergency.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Wyee/Wyee Point
Description of community needs:
Mobile reception is critical for residents, businesses, emergency services and the public, who travel through the Hunter electorate using major thoroughfares such as the Pacific Highway and the M1 Motorway.
There are many new developments and a large influx of new residents who haven't experienced natural disasters at these locations. These locations have been impacted by bushfires in the past.
Main roads that are impacted are Wyee Road, Rutleys Road and Hue Hue Road.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Sandsmere and Telopia Downs North Region
Description of community needs:
The Sandsmere to Telopea Downs North region, bordering the Big Desert Wilderness Park, is home to locals, farmers, employees, tourists, and 4WD enthusiasts.
This area is highly susceptible natural disasters, in particular bushfires. Unfortunately, the current lack of mobile service creates a significant safety gap.
Emergency responses have been delayed multiple times due to the inability of locals and visitors to communicate in the event of accident or serious injury.
Reliable mobile service is essential for safety, improving emergency response and communication in this remote area.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Donohue Highway, (The Outback Way) between Boulia and the Northern Territory Border.
Description of community needs:
To install small mobile phone infrastructure that will support travellers in key locations along the Donohue Highway, known as the Outback Way - Australia's longest shortcut.
This stretch of highway is over 276 kilometres long and is subject to extremes either of temperature -up to high 40's in summer and flooded creek crossings during monsoon rains.
The road is a key thoroughfare for heavy vehicle transport and tourists with caravans etc. which at present has no mobile coverage.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Forbes - 2871
Description of community needs:
The installation of a tower at Central West Industrial Park (CWIP) will provide 4G and 5G coverage within a 6 kilometre radius, benefiting various sectors including the CWIP precinct, Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE), the Newell Highway (serving emergency services and roadside workers), future solar farms, the Inland Rail construction (Stockingbal to Parkes), and the Back Yamma mountains.
The location is in a flood-free area, and the local council has received multiple letters of support from businesses seeking reliable coverage in the region.
The tower will enhance socio-economic and safety outcomes for the community.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Coalcliff
Description of community needs:
Improving mobile black spots in Coalcliff is vital for enhancing community safety and connectivity.
With the region's rugged terrain and coastal location, reliable mobile coverage is essential for emergency services to operate, particularly during bushfires, severe weather events and severe health emergencies.
Connectivity in the suburb for residents, visitors and commuters is abysmal. The South Coast rail line is a major commuter corridor for Illawarra workers, and black spots make commuter travel frustrating and impractical for workers.
It is also greatly frustrating for residents who have to rely on Wi-Fi and are often left without access.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Crows Nest
Description of community needs:
Maranoa constituents living in the Crows Nest area cannot receive 4G or 5G. Telstra have advised there is no immediate program to upgrade infrastructure/mobile towers.
Constituents have been informed by Telstra if they received 3G coverage prior to closure, this would be classed as fortuitous coverage (after they were informed nothing would change with 4G/5G).
This is becoming a safety issue for rural landowners.
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Thallon/Daymar
Description of community needs:
Maranoa constituents living in the Thallon/Daymar area cannot receive 4G or 5G. Telstra have advised there is no immediate program to upgrade infrastructure/mobile towers.
Constituents have been advised by Telstra, if they received 3G coverage, it would be classed as fortuitous coverage. This is becoming a safety issue for rural landowners.
This area has heavy grain producing properties and with added workers onsite, it is difficult to communicate to external parties.
