Mobile Black Spot Program Round 8—Project Noticeboard

Lucky Bay is a coastal South Australian town that faces significant issues regarding mobile coverage. Lucky Bay sees significant numbers of tourists and fisher people throughout the year, being just a short ferry away from Adelaide. The town is also the home of a T-port grain storage silo, seeing significant use and uplifting the industry.

The lack of coverage deeply affects the residents, especially as a large majority of the residents are older. The office was told of a situation where a resident had a medical emergency and his receiving help was greatly delayed by the coverage in the area.

Issues would be similar in the situation of a fire.

Community feedback has identified many locations in MacKillop with significant connectivity issues which appear to have been further impacted by the recent shut-down of the 3G network. 

Mobile coverage is critical for emergency communication and access to assistance in rural and regional areas. These localities include many major Highways ( Dukes, Ngarkat, Princes and Southern Ports) and roads that link our regional areas. Many locations along these roads have limited mobile coverage impeding safety and effective business operations. Reliable mobile coverage is vital in mitigating the impact of road crashes. 

Feedback has been received from constituents about the above locations. Rural locations often have difficulty in obtaining full coverage but achieving it is no less important than in metropolitan areas. Regional business relies on connectivity to conduct ever-increasing online functions and volunteer emergency services respond to calls for assistance using the same.

It is vitally important that the above get addressed.

Community feedback has identified many locations in MacKillop with significant connectivity issues which appear to have been further impacted by the recent shut-down of the 3G network. This lack of service has severe consequences. Mobile coverage is critical for emergency communication and access to assistance in rural and regional areas.

Tourism influx into coastal towns during peak seasons has identified local mobile phone towers unable to manage the explosive growth in demand for internet data and mobile. The current situation demonstrates a lack of commitment to providing equitable services for those living outside urban centres.

Community feedback has identified many locations in MacKillop with significant connectivity issues which appear to have been further impacted by the recent shut-down of the 3G network.

This lack of service has severe consequences. Mobile coverage is critical for emergency communication and access to assistance in rural and regional areas.

There are major freight routes carting livestock, grain and produce in these areas. Many locations along these roads have limited mobile coverage impeding safety and effective business operations. Reliable mobile coverage is vital in mitigating the impact of road crashes.

Community feedback has identified many locations in MacKillop with significant connectivity issues which appear to have been further impacted by the recent shut-down of the 3G network.

This lack of service has severe consequences. Mobile coverage is critical for emergency communication and access to assistance in rural and regional areas.

These areas include prime agricultural, viticulture and farming land requiring good coverage for safety and business connectivity and also forestry industries which are at significantly higher risk from bushfires. Poor mobile reception can hinder the ability to receive emergency warnings and assistance.
 

The townships and surrounding areas of Brukunga, Harrogate, Dawesley, and Kanmantoo suffer from severe mobile, phone and internet connectivity issues, endangering lives during emergencies and impacting daily living.

The 2019–2020 Cudlee Creek bushfires exposed critical failures, leaving residents and emergency services without vital communication. Vulnerable populations, businesses, and telehealth access remain impacted.

A Digital Connectivity Plan with Telstra, NBN, and Mount Barker District Council is in place. Urgent action is needed to ensure safety, resilience, and economic stability in these communities.
 

Mobile connectivity is important for all South Australians, particularly those in our regions.

Following a call from a resident raising concerns about mobile coverage, my office contacted residents of this area about their experiences.

My office was overwhelmed by responses regarding poor coverage and patchy coverage, as well as expressing concerns using the network in the event of a natural disaster, including receiving timely information and seeking help for themselves and others.

Improved coverage in this area will ensure residents and visitors have access to adequate services, particularly with emergency services during times of need.

Mobile connectivity is important for all South Australians, particularly those in our regions.

Following a call from a resident raising concerns about mobile coverage, my office contacted residents of this area about their experiences.

My office was overwhelmed by responses regarding poor coverage and patchy coverage, as well as expressing concerns using the network in the event of a natural disaster, including receiving timely information and seeking help for themselves and others.

Improved coverage in this area will ensure residents and visitors have access to adequate services, particularly with emergency services during times of need.

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. 

Contributing approximately $4.6 billion to the South Australian economy in the 2022, the Limestone Coast generates over 30% of the state's GDP through its agricultural sector. The regions natural landscapes of caves and coasts, as well as food and wine experiences also support a strong tourism sector. Mobile reception is critical for business operations and economic growth of the region.

The region is high risk of significant 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 over.

Rosevale is a remote community in northern Tasmania. Unfortunately, Rosevale has never had strong telecommunication connectivity. With a growing population, this situation is becoming more noticeable and more problematic.

This proposal aims to address critical mobile black spots in Kellevie, Nugent, and Wielangta Road in the Sorell LGA, Tasmania. These areas are underserved, posing risks to community safety, tourism, and emergency response.

Enhanced coverage will support residents, businesses, and emergency services, particularly along Wielangta Road, which serves as the only feasible alternate direct route between Hobart and the East Coast during natural disasters – as evidenced by the significant impact to communities and businesses caused by the 2021 closure of the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge.
 

Since the removal of 3G, the area of Low Head has low coverage to no coverage evidenced by an inability for remote reading of smart meters. Council has received multiple complaints.

Bridport Highway (for most of its extent) has no coverage at.

Residents of Low Head, situated at the mouth of the Tamar River within the electorate of Bass, have notice a marked deterioration in mobile phone reception and mobile internet.

Coverage in the area has always been patchy, but lately has become almost non-existent, leading to strong representation from constituents and organisations.

Mobile phone reception and internet at Low Head has always been substandard but it now appears to be virtually non-existent. This is a major problem for community safety, conducting routine daily tasks, community interaction, and is diabolical for tourism and other businesses in the area.

The Low Head region has reported mobile coverage black spots following the transition to 4G/5G and the closure of the 3G network. This is a concern for both residents and the thousands of tourists who visit the area’s attractions.

Reliable mobile coverage is essential for local businesses to operate effectively and for ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. Limited communication infrastructure may also pose challenges during natural disasters, potentially affecting emergency response and public safety.

Seaton is a remote area at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in Wellington Shire. The area has been subjected to bushfires (2006, 2013) damaging storms (2021) and flooding (2023—November and December).

The area has very limited mobile coverage that impacted emergency services' ability to provide timely assistance to the community. The area is also the gateway for tourism to the high country where the mobile network is heavily relied upon in the event of emergencies.

Blanket Hill is home to a remote community in Wellington Shire. This location would give wide coverage to areas currently with no mobile service including Cowwarr and major camping grounds (Montana and Paradise Valley).

With the approaching bush fire season, telecommunications are going to be critical. The area has been subject to a number of weather events over the last 20 years including bushfires, damaging storms and flooding. This location is ideal sitting at 260 metres above sea level with 360 degrees uninterrupted line-of-sight.

This location (along with Seaton 3858) are both priority areas as identified by Telstra and the local community.

The proposed Mystic Mobile tower would service the existing Telstra blackspot in Wandiligong Valley which experiences high number of tourists in a high bushfire risk area as well as residents. Additionally this area has large number of visitors engaged in high risk activities including mountain biking and paragliding. Rescues in this area are hampered by lack of communications.

The new Mystic Tower would also increase mobile capacity which regularly fails during peak tourist season which sees visitor numbers increase tenfold in peak times. This tower would also provide much needed redundancy for the critical Apex Hill tower.