Mobile Black Spot Program Round 8—Project Noticeboard

The Riverland region of South Australia is known for its irrigation and dryland farming, food and wine production, as well as world-renowned natural attractions and internationally recognised tourism experiences.

Mobile reception is critical for business operations and economic growth of the region.

The region is high risk of significant flood and bush fire events, as well as road trauma along its major freight routes between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Many localities in this region have experienced a loss in mobile reception following the 3G switch off.

The Mallee region of South Australia is known for its irrigation and dryland farming, food production, as well as world-renowned natural attractions and internationally recognised tourism experiences.

Mobile reception is critical for business operations and economic growth of the region.

The region is high risk of significant flood and bush fire events, as well as road trauma along its major freight routes between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Many localities in this region have experienced a loss in mobile reception following the 3G switch off.

Wandearah West, population of 95, has no mobile coverage with some residents resorting to satellite services. 

Located 22 kilometres south of Port Pirie, the land within the locality is zoned for agriculture while a strip of land along its coastline is zoned for conservation. 

The rugged coastal terrain and farming land make it high risk for bushfires. Communication for the safety of locals for early emergency warnings should be paramount.

Bungaree Station, a heritage-listed site established in 1841, attracts 8,500–10,000 visitors annually and contributes significantly to regional tourism and the economy. 

The lack of reliable mobile coverage, worsened since the 3G shutdown, affects visitor and resident safety, business operations, and emergency management in this bushfire-prone area.

Saddleworth (population of 470) is bisected by the Barrier Highway, a major northeast route, crossing the border into New South Wales. Locals and visitors passing through experience intermittent coverage. 

Surrounded by farming land, the township is prone to both bushfire and flooding with significant events experienced in recent years, accompanied by extended power outages. 

Reliable coverage is essential for emergency management for the safety of locals and visitors alike.

Hughes Gap located at the southern end of Beetaloo Valley (population 75) is approximately 16 kilometres from Gladstone (population 745) and 6 kilometres from Crystal Brook (population 1,322). 

The black spot is east of the landmark water tanks (on the southern side of the Wilkins Highway) and between the Crystal Brook and Laura turn offs on Wilkins Highway, a popular east–west route for locals and visitors across the Yorke and Mid North. 

Historically the area has been affected by bushfire including the devastating Bangor fire in 2014. Communication for the safety of visitors and locals for emergency warnings should be paramount.

Murray Town, Southern Flinders (population of 58) has no network coverage. 

Situated on Horrocks Highway, a transport corridor linking the Clare Valley to the Flinders Ranges, Murray Town hosts a very popular RV camping site that attracts many campers, notably grey nomads who may need medical assistance. 

It is an important and fertile agricultural region. The 2014 Bangor fire severely affected Murray Town.

Horrock’s Pass Southern Flinders is an essential transport corridor linking Augusta Highway to Horrocks Highway.

There is no mobile reception, the 21 kilometres road is extremely winding, with no nearby habitation to seek for help, very steep, hot and dry in summer with many blind corners. It is classified as a scenic drive and attracts many tourists.

Hancock Lookout is accessed from Horrock’s Pass and offers a popular RV campsite. The wind farm attracts additional heavy traffic.

There have been a number of vehicle accidents recorded and the 2012 Horrock’s Pass Bushfire burned 2,600 hectares of scrub. Numerous fires have since happened at the Pass.

Port Germein Gorge in the Southern Flinders is an essential transport corridor linking Augusta Highway to Horrocks Highway.

There is no mobile reception at all, the 26 kilometres road is extremely winding, sparsely populated, very heavily wooded, with steep cliffs and blind corners.

It is classified as a scenic drive and attracts many tourists. The 2014 Bangor bushfire destroyed the road which had to be completely rebuilt.

Due to the extreme risk of fire and motor accidents, Port Germein Gorge is considered a priority. The Gorge is the direct route to the Port Pirie Health Services for Melrose, Wirrabara and Booleroo Centre.

Manoora, population of 277, is situated on the Barrier Highway, a major northeast route, crossing the border into New South Wales. Locals and visitors passing through experience no coverage.

Surrounded by farming land, the township is prone to bushfires along with significant vehicle accidents on the highway, experienced in recent years.

Coverage is essential for emergency management for the safety of locals and visitors alike. 

The Murraylands and Coorong region of South Australia is known for its irrigation and dryland farming, food and wine production, as well as world-renowned natural attractions and internationally recognised tourism experiences. 

Mobile reception is critical for business operations and economic growth of the region. 

The region is high risk of significant flood and bush fire events, as well as road trauma along its major freight routes between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. 

Many localities in this region have experienced a loss in mobile reception following the 3G switch off. 

The township of Rhynie, population of 138, is located on the Horrocks Highway, a major north–south arterial route through regional South Australia.

The township has no network coverage affecting locals along with the thousands daily who use this main traffic corridor.

The Rattler Rail Trail cycling and walking path pass through Rhynie which attracts numerous visitors throughout the year. Surrounded by farming land the area is prone to bushfire and requires good coverage for emergency management. 

A small town at the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula with a permanent population of 120 but many more part-time residents. It is a premium tourism destination and local tourist operators estimate that 20,000 people visit Corny Point.

The surf coaching business alone has 10,000 clients a year. There is no Telstra reception and very patchy Optus reception on higher spots. Lack of mobile reception limits tourism.

Emergency responses are compromised. Corny Point is world famous for its surfing, a sport prone to emergencies and the roads are narrow and winding with limited medical services.

The Yorketown Fire in 2019 burnt 5,000 hectares near Corny Point.

An extremely popular holiday destination with small permanent population of 201, Marion Bay is the gateway to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park that has been recognised as South Australia's most popular regional national park with more than 85,000 visitors in a year.

The Caravan Park is fully booked in summer as well as the nearby Hillocks Drive bush camp and the numerous holiday rentals.

Marion Bay is surrounded by natural bush and therefore particularly prone to the danger of bushfire such as the Yorketown Fire in 2019 that burnt 5000 hectares near Marion Bay.

This 44 kilometre road has no connectivity and is an access road for the popular surf beaches of Berry Bay, Gleeson's Landing and Browns Beach and in particular Daly Head recognised as a National Surfing Reserve.

There are 4 Yorke Peninsula Council campgrounds between Corny Point and Marion Bay (Gravel Bay, Swincer Rocks, Gleesons Landing and Daly Head), a total of 119 camp sites which equates to over 10,000 visitors a year.

Due to rugged natural conditions, risk of bushfire, small winding dirt roads as well as possibility of surfing accidents and the importance of checking weather and tides, it is imperative to have effective connectivity.

The Worlds End Gorge experiences little to no mobile coverage. Located off the Burra Highway on Worlds End Gorge Road, 27 kilometres South East of Burra, coverage is crucial due to the area's remote and high-risk location.

Popular with campers and hikers, the lack of nearby facilities and the potential for natural disasters make reliable connectivity essential for emergency services and warnings.

With a new national park planned at this location, visitation is expected to rise, further increasing the need for dependable coverage. Recent incidents of bushfire and significant flooding highlight the importance of mobile connectivity in this area.

Peep Hill is a rural locality of Goyder, with a population of 22 residents, has very unreliable coverage. Located near Goyder’s Line, creating marginal agricultural land, the town and surrounding areas face increased vulnerability to extreme conditions. 

Reliable mobile connectivity provides access to emergency services and coordination during bushfire crises. Additionally, mobile coverage will support close neighbouring towns like Australia Plains, Sutherlands, and Neales Flat, where agricultural businesses rely on dependable communication for operations. 

Ensuring connectivity will enhance both safety and economic stability for the community.

Booborowie, a farming township with 205 residents, has a significant elderly population and experiences very unreliable mobile coverage.

With no public transport and many residents without their own transport, reliable mobile connectivity is vital for emergency services, reducing isolation, and improving access to support.

The town features a primary school, playgroup, retail, and community facilities, and attracts visitors with camping facilities at the town oval.

Mobile coverage is critical for bushfire warnings and emergency access in this rural area, which has experienced several incidents in recent years.

The council-owned parcel of land, situated close to the iconic Heysen Trail with stunning views of the ocean and rural vista, has been earmarked as a prime site for future recreation activation to help boost tourism offerings and contribute to community wellbeing. 

However, the site currently has no phone coverage providing safety concerns. Improved mobile coverage will enable better connectivity to improve safety and support the development of this parcel of land into a highly valued recreation asset for the Southern Fleurieu Region.

Sheaoak Flat is an area in desperate need of coverage, over the 2024 holiday period residents had no access to coverage at all. This community were not able to make any calls during this time, including emergency calls.

Many residents of Sheaoak Flat are elderly, and are more likely to be in need of assistance—and if they were not able to get it when they need it, the consequences could be dire.