Peri-Urban Mobile Program Round 2 – Project Noticeboard

Poor mobile phone reception is a significant inconvenience and safety risk for those living in the Redlands. This is not just an issue in the far reaches of our bay islands, it is also experienced in many pockets of our mainland suburbs. Recently, I have been seeking the help of Redlanders to develop a map of local mobile reception strength through an extensive survey. Many of the areas of concern are within the PUMP Round 2 areas of eligibility. I invite interested parties to contact my office to access the data which outlines the extent of the problem.

Poor mobile phone reception is of great concern to members of the Longman Electorate. 

Interested parties from Beachmere, Burpengary East, Donnybrook, Narangba, Sandstone Point, Toorbul, and Wamuran have approached the member regarding the lack of or limited mobile reception. 

These telecommunication issues have been exacerbated by the 3G sunset, particularly in areas where reception was already poor i.e. rural/bushfire prone areas and retirement villages. This has resulted in vulnerable residents being unable to call emergency services or use cellular medical devices. 

Supporting details can be provided upon request.

Wollert is a suburb in Melbourne's Northern Urban fringe experiencing rapid population growth, coverage is patchy. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/tind-city-of-whittlesea.pdf

Whittlesea Township and the outskirts of the town ship still have limited coverage—https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/tind-city-of-whittlesea.pdf.

The Northern Intermodal Freight Terminal – the multi billion dollar freight terminal at Beveridge starting construction and fully operational by the end of the decade. 
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/tind-city-of-whittlesea.pdf

Merriang Road – Woodstock is an important stretch of road connecting a number of growing suburbs, Wallan, Donnybrook, Woodstock and Mernda. It is littered with blackspots. The road also acts as an alternative to the Hume Highway, especially when the Hume is closed due to an accident which is becoming more frequent.

Upper Plenty and Glenvale are mobile black spots that also contain highly bushfire prone areas. There have also been a number of significant vehicle accidents where people have struggled to call for help. The road is a major thorough fare connecting Whittlesea and Wallan. 

Whilst undulating hills create a big problem in Nillumbik Shire, there are still at least fifteen mobile phone black spots remain scattered through the region in areas such as Arthurs Creek, Bend of Islands, Cottles Bridge, Doreen, Kangaroo Ground, Nutfield, Smiths Gully, Watsons Creek, Mittons Bridge Road and Valley Road. This is also a highly prone bushfire zone. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/mobile-black-spots-still-causing-chaos-a-decade-after-black-saturday/news-story/9bc5d7d10ea2c17560f3896f10705cad

Mernda remains an issue with poor coverage. Homes in the west of Mernda continue to fall into service black spots with limited to no coverage in homes. In 2022 the previous government promised a TPG tower for 140 Schotters Road, Mernda. However there is need for more services in the western side.

Mobile phone coverage in the Invermay district is poor with zero mobile service surrounding the Swinglers Rd / Banksia St intersection and marginal service from Banksia St towards Northern Invermay.

Invermay is a Rural Residential area of 900 residents located between the Western Fwy and the Creswick Regional Park. The Creswick Regional Park provides a very high Fire risk to the Invermay community and greater Ballarat. In an emergency Swinglers Rd is the major thoroughfare for residents and emergency services to escape/access the area.

Reliable communication through this district is imperative and currently falls short.

While undulating hills present a significant challenge in Nillumbik Shire, the region still contends with at least fifteen mobile phone black spots, primarily in areas such as Strathewen, St Andrews, Smiths Gully, Pantton Hill and Christmas Hills. Compounded by the fact that this area is highly susceptible to bushfires, the lack of reliable mobile phone coverage poses a critical safety concern for residents. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/mobile-black-spots-still-causing-chaos-a-decade-after-black-saturday/news-story/9bc5d7d10ea2c17560f3896f10705cad

Yarra Ranges is on the urban fringe of metropolitan Melbourne, spanning urban and rural areas including the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley (Yarra Glen, Healesville, Woori Yallock etc). The region has many mobile blackspots and experiences persistent network resilience issues. Complex topography, severe weather events (fire, storm, flood) and power outages underlie these issues. Council has investigated this using industry-standard research approaches (see: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/telecommunications) and liaised with industry stakeholders (MNOs, MNIPs) to encourage investment in the area to address blackspots and build network redundancy.

Beveridge is a constant source for complaints. It has one Telstra tower near Eden Park directed out towards Beveridge, whilst this tower has been extended to improve 4G services and 5G connectivity. The lack of competition and the services they get many consider to be patchy at best.

Donnybrook is a suburb in Melbourne's Northern Urban fringe experiencing rapid population growth, the population is forecast to grow by an average of 27 per cent each year — becoming home to 12,000 new residents by 2026. Residents of the estates complain although major telecom providers have indicated on their websites the serviceability of their 4G networks in the area. The reality is constituents are not getting any service in the area. For years there have been complaints of zero coverage indoors and very mediocre mobile reception on the street. Most people typically end up using wifi-calling. 

Improve mobile phone reception for Somerville East.

Poor mobile reception plagues Somerville – particularly east of Jones Road.

Businesses can’t operate from home, students can’t study from home, people can’t consume online content, and in some cases, people can’t call for help in an emergency.
The project is supported by the Somerville Business Group, and Somerville businesses such as the Western Port Harbour Caravan Park. The work done by Somerville local, Eric Collier, via the Facebook page ‘Poor Somerville Telecommunications’ clearly demonstrates the urgent need for Somerville's mobile reception issues to be addressed and supported by the petitions and surveys run through my office.

Somerville and surrounding areas have extremely poor mobile reception, particularly on the Eastern side of Somerville with some areas not being able to get online when wifi is out. 

During emergencies, this can be dangerous as residents cannot use the VicEmergency app or find information online. With more services being delivered online, mobile reception is a necessity for many residents within the community, with reception bars regularly falling to 3G or 4G connectivity is unacceptable. 

There is also a lack of Telstra towers within the area, an issue for major telco.

Mobile Phone service in Somerville is poor, irrespective of the service provider. A survey of Somerville residents found a significant problem, especially east of Jones Rd. Some residents have been unable to call 000 for assistance in emergencies This is unacceptable in a town of 20,000 people. NBN is unreliable - landline services often drop out for no discernible reason. The Brigade’s radio comms are to be upgraded as part of a state-wide radio replacement program. The new radios utilise VoLTE technology, which is useless without a reliable mobile phone network, compromising fire emergency operations. PUMP must fix this urgently.

Emerald Secondary College and the surrounding areas have significant mobile telecommunications blackspots. Telecommunications is an essential service and I fervently support improved mobile connectivity to this area. This deficiency poses a grave concern as it impedes reliable communication during emergencies, endangering staff and students. Given the school's categorisation as a level two fire risk zone and its recurrent exposure to severe storms and flash floods, the issue becomes even more critical. Ensuring dependable communication is essential to guaranteeing the safety and security of students, staff, and families alike.

The peri-urban fringe of Jagajaga, which includes Henley Road, Wattle Glen Road, and Yarra Glen Road in Kangaroo Ground, Watsons Creek, and Christmas Hills, is confronted with crucial connectivity and infrastructure issues. Yarra Glen Road functions as a primary route accommodating substantial traffic flow, notably tourists exploring the Yarra Valley. Additionally, mobile coverage, especially 4G and 5G, remains inconsistent in the region, creating obstacles for routine communication and emergency services during car accidents and bushfires.