The area is isolated and abuts the busy Midland Highway between Benalla and Shepparton. It is subject to flooding and bushfires.
Residents have repeatedly voiced concern at the poor communications, particularly in times of emergency.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Fullerton Cove, Fern Bay, Williamtown
Description of community needs:
Mobile phone reception is critical for residents, businesses, and emergency services. Nelson Bay Road is the main thoroughfare linking Port Stephens to Newcastle.
The section of road from Williamtown to Fern Bay is an unlit 100 kilometre per hour stretch that has multiple accidents and requires mobile coverage for safety reasons.
The residents of Fullerton Cove and Fern Bay have been advocating for better mobile coverage since 2016.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Buchanan Road, Louth Park
Description of community needs:
Mobile coverage is very limited along Buchanan Road, Buchanan to Mount Vincent Road, Louth Park.
This road is a major thoroughfare linking our regional area and is direct route to Maitland Hospital and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash to Anna Bay
Description of community needs:
Mobile reception is critical for residents, businesses, emergency services and the public who travel along Nelson Bay Road from Salt Ash to Anna Bay. It is especially busy during holiday times.
Natura Port Stephens at Bobs Farm - a over 55s community has been advocating for better mobile reception for over 12 months. Concerns have been raised about reporting medical emergencies.
State or Territory:
WA
Community Location:
North Kellerberrin
Description of community needs:
The Northern sector of Kellerberrin Shire is a heavy black spot with no mobile coverage at all. This was evident during the major incident of 2024 wherein police were unable to communicate with a fugitive involved in a shooting or anyone else due to the black spot area.
Since the closure of 3G, the area of this black spot has increased to the point farmers are having to travel to particular areas of their own farm to receive signal to make or receive calls.
The black spot affects all and sundry as the technology involved in operating farms these days heavily relies on mobile signal.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
QLD
Community Location:
Dirranbandi, Hebel, Thallon, Nindigully, Bollon and Mungindi
Description of community needs:
Each location is prone to natural disasters typically due to flooding, however bushfires pose a significant risk. These rural townships have very limited service/coverage, poor mobile reception that affects daily communications.
Reliable mobile connectivity is critical for emergency services and for community safety.
The recent Dirranbandi Fires on 5–6 November 2024 highlighted the issue when power was also cut for an extended period and all communications were lost, resulting in the town being evacuated.
Since 2020, our LGA has had 10 activations all of which have impacted these towns, therefore reliable communications are essential.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Uralla
Description of community needs:
Continuous mobile coverage for Thunderbolts Way from Uralla to Inverell. This is a heavily used traffic route between these towns and is an important linking road if the New England Highway is closed.
It will also see a drastic increase in vehicle movements when the New England Renewable Energy Zone commences. Lack of mobile coverage is not acceptable in this location.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
SA
Community Location:
Dawson Road – Dawson (via Peterborough)
Description of community needs:
Dawson Road has no mobile connectivity. It is classified as a B Double Route and is mainly used as a thoroughfare for agriculture.
Its isolated position combined with movement of heavy trucks mean that connectivity is essential in case of accidents or mechanical failure.
Agriculture is the primary industry in this area and is particularly vulnerable to bushfires and lack of coverage poses serious risks to firefighters, farmers, and residents.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Patyah, Charam, Ullswater and Kaniva-Edenhope Road, Little Desert
Description of community needs:
Mobile service coverage is essential for modern life, playing a crucial role in supporting local businesses, particularly in the agriculture sector, as well as ensuring the safety of residents.
In rural areas, particularly the Wimmera Highway and Kaniva-Edenhope Road near the Little Desert, mobile black spots create significant communication challenges.
These gaps disrupt business operations, compromise the efficiency of emergency responders, and endanger residents and volunteers during critical situations.
This proposal is strongly supported by our community, Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee, Regional Development Victoria and CFA Dist.17.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Mullengandra
Description of community needs:
Installation of a tower and telecommunication facilities. This location currently has no phone coverage. The area is prone to fires caused by lightning impacting the area.
Additionally, this area is a major haulage route with BB-Doubles carting to and from the area, including livestock, produce and timber industry product.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
