Mobile Black Spot Program Round 8—Project Noticeboard

Barham River Road, near Apollo Bay, links the coastal town with the hinterland, supporting locals, farmers, and tourists. Mobile coverage along this road is crucial for safety, especially in emergencies. It enables communication for businesses, farmers, and residents, providing updates and access to services. For tourists, it aids navigation and connectivity. The Local Community Fire Guard Group has advised that several properties lack mobile service, hindering urgent messages from the CFA. This proposal, supported by the group, requests an upgrade to improve safety and connectivity.

The Murray River Road (also known as the Great River Road) is an important link for tourists between Albury Wodonga and Corryong and into the Upper Murray and Alpine region. The road services growing tourist numbers, school buses, and commuting residents.

The section of the road at Wymah is a well known blackspot which hinders important communications capacity. The Wymah ferry is an important tourist and economic link between Victoria and NSW and the black spot impacts on that connection. Greater Hume Shire support this project as an important cross border initiative.

Pomonal, a small community in Western Victoria, was devastated by recent bushfires, destroying 46 homes in a town of 300 people.

Located near the Grampians and key tourist spots like Pomonal Estate, effective communication is crucial in such bushfire-prone areas. Mobile communications are especially important as they enable timely warnings, evacuation orders, and updates on fire progress.

They also help coordinate emergency responses and recovery efforts. Clear and accessible mobile communication ensures that residents and tourists stay informed, supporting both community safety and the long-term recovery of the area.

Mobile coverage in Yalla-Y-Poora and Stoneleigh is particularly patchy. Home to a strong agricultural sector, both industry and community would benefit from improved service. The lack of digital connectivity in this area has repeatedly been raised as a long-standing issue for residents in this community. Increased mobile coverage would benefit farm and rural safety in this region and is strongly supported by local residents. 

The Pyrenees Shire Council supports proposals to improve mobile coverage, aiming for better connectivity and resilience in emergencies and this site was identified as in need of new infrastructure.

Barongarook, located in Colac Otway Shire, faces challenges with mobile phone coverage. As a key route for freight and travellers heading to the Great Ocean Road, reliable services are essential for safety and communication. The Old Beechy Rail Trail, a popular tourist destination nearby, also suffers from poor mobile coverage, limiting connectivity for visitors. Improving 5G coverage would support better communication for both locals and tourists, enhance safety, and boost economic growth.

Mobile coverage in Moonambel, Barkly and Warrenmang is particularly patchy and has numerous black spots. This area hosts iconic wineries with tourism, a strong focus for the region along with agriculture. Capacity of the current network during peak visitation times impacts the visitor experience and safety. Home to a strong agricultural and viticulture sector, both industry, tourism and community would benefit from improved service. The lack of digital connectivity options in this area has repeatedly been raised as a long-standing issue for residents in this community. Increased mobile coverage would benefit farm, tourism and rural safety.

Yeodene, Victoria, is home to Treetop Adventures, a key tourist destination offering canopy walks and treetop experiences. Reliable mobile phone coverage is essential for tourists, allowing navigation, staying connected with accommodations, and accessing emergency services. However, parts of Yeodene, especially around Treetop Adventures, experience limited mobile service, which impacts both visitors and local businesses. Upgrading mobile coverage in this area would enhance safety, improve the tourist experience, and support local economic activity, benefiting both residents and visitors.

Mobile Tower. Reception is extremely poor and could cause a significant issue in a bushfire or emergency situation. It also makes everyday life difficult for my constituents who rely on service for work and communications of every kind.

Hawkesdale is a rural town in western Victoria with over 300 residents who rely on mobile phone coverage.

The town has a P-12 school and a large farming community, both dependent on telecommunications for business and daily life. After being impacted by bushfires in 2018, the need for reliable mobile coverage became even more critical during emergencies.

Situated along a key freight and tourist route from Warrnambool to Dunkeld and the Grampians, mobile communication is vital for both residents and travelers to stay connected and safe in case of emergencies.

Irrewillipe, Victoria, relies on efficient mobile communication for safety and daily operations.

However, Tomahawk Creek Road has poor reception, creating a significant black spot in the area. This lack of mobile coverage limits access to emergency services and hinders communication for residents and businesses. During emergencies, timely alerts and contact with services are critical, and the current coverage gaps put residents at risk.

Upgrading mobile coverage along Tomahawk Creek Road would improve safety, communication, and support economic activities for the Irrewillipe community.

Ferguson, Victoria has faced worsening mobile phone coverage since the decommissioning of the 3G network. The lack of reliable service affects residents, businesses, and emergency response, as many areas now experience poor or no reception. Local businesses struggle with customer service and logistics, while residents are unable to receive important communications or contact emergency services when needed. Upgrading mobile coverage in Ferguson is essential to ensure safety, connectivity, and economic well-being for the community, especially during emergencies where communication is critical.

Kawarren, Victoria, is a rural area with limited mobile phone coverage, affecting residents, businesses, and visitors. The Old Beech Rail Trail, a popular destination for tourists, suffers from poor coverage, making it difficult for visitors to navigate or contact emergency services. Additionally, there is a black spot along the Colac-Lavers Hill Road, which has improved in recent years but still lacks coverage for about 800 meters. This gap in coverage poses a safety risk, especially for travelers and locals who rely on mobile phones for communication. Improving mobile coverage in these areas would enhance safety, connectivity, and support.

North of Hamilton in Victoria is a mobile phone black spot, especially during emergencies. A local resident has advised that while fighting fires in these areas, phone service was unreliable, making it difficult to extract important information or contact emergency services. This lack of reliable communication in such a critical region urgently needs attention to ensure the safety of residents and enable an effective emergency response. Reliable mobile coverage is essential for both daily communication and critical situations, highlighting the need for immediate improvements in service.

Corangamite Lake Road, stretching through Cororooke, Alvie, Dreeite, South Dreeite, Cundare, and Cundare South, is a vital rural route with limited mobile coverage. The lack of service impacts safety, emergency response, and communication for residents, especially in remote areas. Local businesses and farmers also struggle with poor connectivity, affecting daily operations. Improving mobile coverage along this road would enhance communication, improve safety, and support local businesses, ensuring residents can stay connected and access essential services.

Telford and Burramine are townships of Moira Shire, mobile connectivity was not ideal prior to the 3G shutdown but was manageable. However, since the change, service has been inconsistent, particularly during the peak summer tourist season, with frequent "SOS only" signals and minimal data connectivity. The signal is the worst on surrounding roads between Wilby Burramine, and Telford. This change has affected both personal safety and business operations. Emergency response applications like BART and SAS are unreliable, and communication delays have caused a delay in emergency response.

Yarroweyah is situated on the Murray Valley Highway, a major transport route for tourism and transportation. Since the 3G shutdown, service has been inconsistent, particularly during the peak summer tourist season, with frequent "SOS only" signals and minimal data connectivity. This has affected both personal safety and business operations. Emergency response agencies such as VICSES and CFA have provided feedback to council regarding the connectivity concerns and delay in messaging through agency specific alert systems. 

Wilby is a small township in the Moira LGA, since the 3G shutdown there has been significant connectivity issues regarding emergency services. This transition has led to disruptions in emergency response times. This change has affected both personal safety and business operations. Emergency response applications like BART and SAS are unreliable or non-existent, and businesses also face safety problems with contacting workforce and delays in critical tasks and communication delays. Many CFA members has expressed considerable concern with multiple letters sent to Moira Shire highlighting reduced and nonexistent connectivity since the change.

Port Fairy, Victoria experiences significant mobile phone capacity issues, particularly during peak periods such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival. The influx of visitors during these times overwhelms the mobile network, leading to dropped calls, slow data speeds, and difficulty accessing emergency services. This creates frustration for both locals and tourists, who rely on mobile communication for safety, navigation, and staying connected. Addressing the capacity issues in Port Fairy is crucial to ensure reliable service for residents, businesses, and visitors, especially during high-demand events like the Folk Festival.

Gellibrand, located in the Otways in western Victoria (postcode 3239), is a rural town with a close-knit community that relies on mobile phone coverage for everyday life. The town, surrounded by farming land and natural beauty, depends on reliable telecommunications for both business and personal use.

With fires currently in close proximity (February 2024) and a high number of campers in the area, the VicEmergency app is a vital tool for real-time updates on fire conditions. Ensuring strong mobile coverage in Gellibrand is crucial for keeping both residents and visitors informed and safe during emergencies.

Barramunga, located in the Otways (postcode 3249), is a small rural town that relies on mobile phone coverage for everyday life.

Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, the town depends on reliable telecommunications for both personal and community needs. Barramunga is in close proximity to the popular Stevensons Falls, a key tourist destination.

With fire risks present in the region, many campers and tourists rely on the VicEmergency app for up-to-date fire conditions and safety information. Ensuring strong mobile coverage is essential for keeping both locals and visitors informed and safe during emergencies.