This town located 165 kilometres east of Melbourne with a population of more than 1,000 people has inconsistent mobile coverage.
The community has experienced patchy coverage to date and requires reliable mobile coverage given its close proximity to Boola Boola State Forest and the possibilities of bushfire risk.
The unreliability of mobile phone coverage impacts economic activity, amenity for travellers and safety in a bushfire risk area.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Wulgulmerang East 3885
Description of community needs:
Wulgulmerang East is located in far East Gippsland on the Gelantipy Road which is used not only by local residents but 4WD enthusiasts and tourists.
There is no mobile coverage here, and very limited access to landline connections in times of emergency. Increased mobile coverage would benefit farm and rural safety in this region and is supported by local residents and regular visitors to this remote part of East Gippsland.
This region is impacted by bushfires and the unreliability of mobile phone coverage impacts the safety of travellers in a bushfire risk area.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Hiawatha 3971
Description of community needs:
Hiawatha is located 25 kilometres north-west of Yarram in South Gippsland.
It is home to Minnehaha Falls which is a popular swimming hole and offers free camping located within the State Forest.
This area has no mobile coverage and concerns have been raised by tourists and local residents that in times of an emergency such as bushfires, there is no way to communicate with visitors to the region or contact emergency services.
This region experiences numerous weather events and has experienced fires in the past. Improved mobile coverage would ensure that the residents and visitors to Hiawatha have access to reliable service in times of emergency.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Clifton Creek 3875
Description of community needs:
Clifton Creek is located 12 kilometres north of Bairnsdale and was greatly impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires.
Mobile reception in Clifton Creek is patchy with half of the community enjoying good coverage and the other half located in the valley experiencing inadequate reception. This community requires reliable mobile phone coverage to ensure they are kept up to date with current information and messaging in times of a natural disaster.
The unreliability of mobile phone coverage impacts economic activity, amenity for travellers and community safety in a bushfire risk area.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Bengworden Road, Meerlieu, Goon Nure and Bengworden area
Description of community needs:
The mobile reception along Bengworden Road has low/patchy mobile coverage on parts of the route.
This road has become increasingly popular as an alternate to the Princes Highway and the growing communities located along the route have experienced a deterioration in coverage when driving the road and at home.
This road has experienced increased traffic in recent years and has an escalating wildlife problem causing traffic accidents. School bus services also service this community and utilise the road.
The unreliability of mobile phone coverage impacts economic activity, amenity for travellers and safety in a bushfire risk area.
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Woodside Beach VIC 3874
Description of community needs:
Woodside Beach is located 10km from the town of Woodside and is a popular surf beach and campsite.
Woodside Beach has a surf club and has a patrolled beach during the summer. Mobile coverage is patchy at best in this region and in times of an emergency mobile coverage cannot be relied on to call emergency services, particularly if access cannot be gained to the surf club to use the landline.
This area has become increasingly popular for tourists and improved mobile coverage would ensure that the residents and visitors to this community have access to reliable service particularly in times of emergency.
State or Territory:
NSW
Community Location:
Cookardina-Henty Road
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
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Dargo
Description of community needs:
Dargo is located at the entry of the Alpine National Park and is one of Victoria’s most remote communities.
On weekends and during peak travel periods, the population swells by thousands as 4WD enthusiasts, campers and hikers use the town as a base for outdoor activities leaving the town with limited or no access to mobile reception in times of emergency.
The town is located one hour from any assistance and during peak periods, requires additional coverage to cope with the influx of tourists.
This region experiences numerous weather events including bushfires and improved coverage would ensure reliable service during times of emergency.
State or Territory:
WA
Community Location:
North West Nyabing Townsite - Boongadoo (north and south) Roads, North Fence Road (from Datatine Road through to Peterson Road (and further, refer to Telstra coverage map)
Description of community needs:
The mobile coverage issue in the Shire of Kent, specifically in the North-West Nyabing Townsite to Boongadoo Roads and North Fence Road, results in poor connectivity, affecting emergency communication, business operations, and community safety.
This area is prone to natural disasters, such as bushfires and storms, which exacerbate the risk of being unreachable in critical times.
Organisations like Telstra and the Shire of Kent support enhancing coverage for better disaster management and public safety, ensuring timely responses and service continuity.
Co-contributions:
• Willing to discuss potential co-contributions (financial and/or in-kind) with program applicants
State or Territory:
VIC
Community Location:
Marong (-36.7356, 144.1426)
Description of community needs:
The township of Marong is a significant growth corridor 17 kilometres west of Bendigo. It is expected Marong and Maiden Gully will account for at least a quarter of all new residential growth over the next 20 years in Bendigo.
Members of CFA Marong Brigade have little to no coverage to receive calls. The area is at risk of both fire and flood, and in previous emergency situations they have had to rely on mobile phones with no coverage.
The Calder Highway is a major thoroughfare in evacuations and it has multiple black spots.
Home to a strong agricultural sector, both industry and community would benefit from improved service.
