Mobile Black Spot Program Round 8—Project Noticeboard

Located along the notorious forested Black Spur section of the Maroondah Highway, a major access to nature-based tourist areas of Marysville and the lower snowfields. Area is subject to very high bushfire danger in summer and severe fog, ice and rain conditions in winter. Emergency access to communications is needed, particularly for inexperienced and tourists travelling through the area.

In 2021 25% of locations in Yarra Ranges were tested and found to be of unusable network quality. Depth of coverage is impeded by complex topography, despite carriers’ maps indicating adequate coverage.
 

Whittlesea Township, with a population of around 7,000, is expected to grow significantly due to its designation as a growth area. The surrounding areas have faced bushfires, including the 2009 Black Saturday fires. Mobile coverage is inadequate, hindering communication for residents, businesses, and emergency services. As a growing community Whittlesea Council supports improved telecommunications to meet the needs of the growing population and ensure safety.

Residents of Newbridge and the surrounding areas are facing significant challenges with mobile connectivity, including black spots, dropouts and unreliable data services. Concerns have been raised about the inability to contact authorities during emergencies, delays in emergency response times and issues with receiving emergency phone alerts, especially in an area prone to natural disasters. The very limited availability of telecommunications is frustrating for residents, businesses and visitors alike, highlighting the critical need for reliable telecommunications. 
 

Tahara, Victoria is a rural community surrounded by farmland and natural landscapes. The area is known for its agricultural activities, with local farmers contributing to the region's primary industries. However, Tahara faces challenges with mobile coverage, which affects communication and safety for both residents and visitors. Improving 5G coverage would enhance access to real-time information, emergency services, and support for local businesses. 

Beveridge suffers from poor mobile coverage, relying on a single Telstra tower near Eden Park. The limited competition results in unreliable service, frustrating residents. With the multi-billion-dollar Northern Intermodal Freight Terminal set to transform the area, improved mobile connectivity is essential for supporting growth, ensuring safety, and enabling business operations. Enhanced coverage will be vital to accommodate the area's development, bolster economic activity, and ensure reliable communication for residents and businesses.

Swan Marsh, Victoria is a rural community surrounded by farmland and natural landscapes, known for its agricultural industry. The area faces challenges with mobile coverage, which affects both residents and businesses in terms of safety and communication. Improved 5G coverage would enhance access to emergency services, real-time information, and support local agriculture. It would also foster economic growth by improving connectivity for businesses and offering better access to essential services like healthcare and education.

Kirkstall, Victoria is a small rural community located in the heart of the region’s farming and agricultural industry. The area is known for its peaceful surroundings and strong agricultural roots. However, Kirkstall faces challenges with mobile coverage, affecting communication and safety for both residents and businesses. Improved 5G coverage would provide faster access to emergency services, real-time updates, and better connectivity for local farmers. It would also support economic growth, enhance access to essential services like healthcare and education, and improve the overall quality of life for the community.

Allestree, Victoria is a tranquil coastal community known for its natural beauty and proximity to the rugged coastline. The area is home to agricultural lands and offers scenic views, but it faces challenges with mobile coverage, affecting safety and communication. Improved 5G coverage would enhance emergency response times, providing quicker access to services for residents and visitors. Reliable connectivity would also support local businesses, particularly those in tourism and agriculture, boosting the economy. Better mobile coverage would ensure Allestree remains a connected, thriving community with improved access to essential services.

Bolwarra, Victoria is a rural community that struggles with inconsistent mobile phone coverage, affecting residents, businesses, and visitors. The lack of reliable mobile service in this area makes communication challenging, especially in emergencies. Local farmers and businesses depend on mobile phones for operations, customer service, and staying connected with suppliers. Without proper coverage, it becomes difficult to reach emergency services or access critical information when needed. Improving mobile coverage in Bolwarra is essential to enhance safety, support local businesses, and ensure better connectivity for the community.

Reliable mobile coverage in the Hawke electorate is essential for residents, businesses, and emergency services. Constituents in Beremboke, Ballan, Coimadai, Myrniong, Rowsley, Strathtulloh, Cobblebank, Toolern Vale, and Melton report ongoing issues with poor reception, especially in regional areas where making calls or sending messages is difficult.

Melton has a significant number of black spots, particularly in High Street and Bakery Square, with Optus, Vodafone, and Telstra all providing patchy service. Cobblebank, Melton South and Strathtulloh face similar issues.

I’m seeking urgent upgrades to ensure reliable connectivity.

Mobile phone black spots is a significant issue and urgent priority affecting emergency management, tourism, agricultural innovation and overall liveability.

Major flood and fire events, such as the Skipton floods of 2011, 2017, and 2022, and the St Patrick’s Day fires of 2018, have severely impacted communication during emergency situations.

Improved mobile service would enable access to smart technologies for the agricultural industry, high-grade connectivity for businesses, and more digital services for residents and visitors, along with enhanced digital literacy.

Nilumbik Shire has at least 15 mobile black spots, affecting areas such as Arthurs Creek, Smith's Gully, Cottles Bridge, Bend of Islands, Christmas Hills and Kangaroo Ground. These towns are situated on undulating hills, making coverage even more challenging. Given the area's high bushfire risk, the lack of reliable mobile coverage threatens lives and hinders emergency response efforts. The 2009 Black Saturday fires highlighted the critical need for improved telecommunications infrastructure to ensure safety, particularly in times of natural disasters. Urgent action is required to address these coverage gaps.

East and North of the Olinda Monbulk Road, pockets of poor or no coverage for emergency access around Old Road, Spencer Road, Chalet Road and surrounds. Households reliant on wifi calling within homes have no communications possible during power outages.

In 2021, 25% of locations tested in Yarra Ranges had unusable network quality. Depth of coverage is impeded by complex topography, despite carriers’ maps indicating adequate coverage. This area is extremely prone to natural disasters such as bushfire and severe storms.

Yambuk, Victoria is a coastal community known for its scenic beauty, agricultural land, and proximity to popular natural attractions, including the Yambuk Beach and the Yambuk Lake. While it offers a peaceful environment for both residents and visitors, the area faces challenges with mobile coverage, limiting communication and safety. Improved 5G coverage would enhance emergency response times, provide better access to real-time information, and support local businesses. It would also boost tourism by improving connectivity for visitors exploring the area, promoting Yambuk’s natural attractions and contributing to the local economy.

Installation of mobile phone telecommunication facilities in a number of locations across South Gippsland. These include parts of Venus Bay, Fish Creek and Sandy Point and areas around Nerrena and Waratah Bay. These are important to support our rural communities, visitors to the area and emergency response and recovery.

Mobile phone black spots is a significant issue and urgent priority affecting emergency management, tourism, agricultural innovation and overall liveability. Port Campbell attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually.

During the 2018 fires Port Campbell residents and businesses were left without communications. Residential housing developments and tourism growth also increases the demand for more reliable coverage.

Port Campbell experiences poor phone coverage and slow internet speeds. Improved service would enable access to smart technologies for industry, high-grade connectivity for businesses, and more digital services for residents and visitors.

Wannon, Victoria is a picturesque rural community known for its farming industries and natural beauty, including the stunning Wannon Falls, a popular local attraction. However, the area faces challenges with mobile coverage, which affects communication and safety for both residents and visitors. Improved 5G coverage would enhance access to emergency services, real-time updates, and essential information for locals and tourists. It would also support local businesses, boost economic growth, and improve access to services like healthcare and education.

These communities have reported a complete lack of service since 3G was turned off. These mobile black spots negatively impact on preparedness and response in emergencies and in the day-to-day lives of residents.

Council hosted a series of Community Emergency Management Planning Workshops in late 2024-early 2025. A very clear message from these workshops was the major concerns around lack of coverage and the inability to stay up to date on the VicEmergency warnings during the recent bushfires.

EFTPOS machines also regularly drop out, and the lack of reception discourages revisits by tourists.

25% of locations tested in Yarra Ranges were found to have unusable network quality. This area is extremely prone to natural disasters, including bushfires and severe storms.

Mobile network failures caused by mains power outages and insufficient battery back-up impeded emergency response efforts following the June 2021 storm events, when emergency services could not communicate with one-another and residents could not call 000.

The town of Pingelly is in a mobile black spot as it is in a valley. The Shire of Pingelly conducted a series of mobile phone coverage surveys (phone and data) and no locations in 2024 even rated a ‘poor’ signal strength.

All locations were classified as ‘no signal’, with frequent disconnections experienced. The proposal is to locate a new tower in Pingelly which will provide a service comparable to other areas.