The township of Brukunga is located within the Mount Barker District Council within the Adelaide Hills Region and was significantly impacted by the Cudlee Creek Bushfire in 2019/2020. The impacts of the Bushfire were exacerbated by the lack of mobile phone reception during the fire emergency. The population of over 300 residents have been calling for improved mobile phone reception for many many years and the lack of service impacts businesses and primary production enterprises as well as those working from home or accessing education or banking services. Neighbouring districts are similarly impacted, including those on Five Bob Road.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Giants Creek area
Description of community needs:
Giants Creek is more than 15 kilometres from Sandy Hollow in the western part of Muswellbrook Shire and doesn’t have a community hall, school, church or RFS shed. The area is characterised by larger properties which involves vehicles moving livestock and farm supplies such as hay and fodder. The poor reception in these areas creates safety risks and disrupts communication as the area is relatively remote from emergency services. This nomination is supported by feedback from local residents and Council’s Operational Teams.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Kayuga area
Description of community needs:
Kayuga is on the northern boundary of Muswellbrook Shire and has a Rural Fire Service shed. The area is a detour from the New England Highway during severe weather events and severe accidents. The area is characterised by farm businesses which involves vehicles moving livestock and farm supplies such as hay and fodder. The poor reception in these areas creates safety risks and disrupts communication as the area is relatively remote from emergency services. This nomination is supported by feedback from local residents and Council Operational Teams.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Worrigee, Narrawallee
Description of community needs:
Service provider is Telstra for a constituent at 95 Matron Porter Driver Narrawallee. They advise they have consistent failure of 4G signal and experience the worst coverage at Lower Matron Porter Drive Narrawallee. Constituent further advises a lot of medical support devices such as Constant Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) use internal 4G modems to transmit medical data and to receive updates to their operating algorithms and software. The 4G signal has disappeared from Narrawallee over the last month. Note that this is about the 4G network not 3G.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Worrigee, Batemans Bay and Mogo
Description of community needs:
Constituent asks for improved mobile phone coverage in some black spots in the Eurobodalla. The area between Batemans Bay and Mogo includes a black spot in the highly-used area of the new Mogo Bike Trail and the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. The poor of mobile coverage represents a safety issue for bike trail users and walkers in the gardens. The Botanic Gardens is also a highly used tourist destination and the lack of mobile coverage is significant service gap the area. It is also a concern that the main Princes Highway has coverage blackspots in that area in the event of road traffic incidents.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Batemans Bay to Mogo
Description of community needs:
Severe Telstra coverage gaps impact Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden, Mogo Mountain Bike Trail, Deep Creek Dam, and local residents. Optus users have reliable coverage, but Telstra reception is nearly non-existent, with only patchy service at high points. There are safety risks for hospital transfers and emergency situations. Residents in fire-affected areas remain disconnected. Business and tourism disruptions—70,000+ visitors struggle with navigation, payments, and online resources. Investment in Telstra infrastructure upgrades is required to improve public safety, tourism, and business operations in the region.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Berry
Description of community needs:
The coverage in Berry and particularly David Berry Hospital is poor with patients, family members and staff often complaining about the poor signal.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Bomaderry
Description of community needs:
Ampol and Woolworths Bomaderry are black spots. Constituents advise they have no signal.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Tomerong
Description of community needs:
Consistent mobile black spot along Princes Highway between Tomerong and Island Point Rd. Telstra coverage is unreliable or non-existent every time. There are safety risks for commuters and emergency situations due to lack of mobile service. Limited connectivity for residents and businesses in the area. Upgraded Telstra infrastructure to enhance coverage and reliability along this key route, improving safety and accessibility.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Currarong
Description of community needs:
Severe mobile black spots along Forest Rd and Currarong Rd. Telstra service is unreliable every day, impacting residents and travellers. There are safety concerns for commuters and emergency situations. Limited connectivity affects businesses and residents who rely on mobile service. Upgraded Telstra infrastructure is required to improve mobile coverage and reliability along these key roads, ensuring better connectivity for the community.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
