Council welcomes mobile phone base station announcement
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Published on 29 March 2019
Pictured, from left: Doug Trigg, David McGlade, Zoe Vogels, Russell Bellis, Andrew Vogels Mayor Neil Trotter, Deb Emeny (obscured), Peter Cole, Dave Emeny, Fiona Hawkes, Tim Broomby, Heather Bullen and Darcy McGlade.
A new base station announced for Jancourt East will be a step towards addressing one of the Shire’s urgent mobile phone black spot areas.
Mayor Neil Trotter said the announcement was good news for businesses and community safety in the area.
“I would like to commend the Government for listening to the community’s concerns and taking this action,” Cr Trotter said.
“Mobile phone black spots have been among Council’s top priorities and we have been advocating strongly to get improved service.”
Cr Trotter said Council was eager to work with the Government and Telstra, which will build the base station, to ensure maximum coverage and the best outcome for local residents, particularly nearby Scott’s Creek which has little or no coverage.
“That area is of particular concern because it has both high rates of road accidents coupled with a terrain subject to fire risks, so having reliable contact with emergency services is not negotiable.”
Cr Trotter said many businesses in the farming area relied on phone and internet communication to make a living so having dependable service was absolutely essential for the Shire’s economy.
“It can be a challenge to get these things right and there is still a long way to go with design, finding the right piece of land, and meeting technical requirements.
“It’s not just a matter of plugging in and flicking the switch.”
Community members are excited about the prospect of reliable services after years of phone calls, letters and campaigning about the lack of mobile service and unreliable old landline exchange. Scotts Creek’s Heather Bullen is one.
Her mother, Betty Russell, was hospitalized after a fall last week and the situation could have been far worse if she had been home alone without phone coverage.
“It will be fantastic for the community,” she said. “In this day and age we should have services that work.”
The station will be one of 22 in Victoria and 131 around the country under Round Four of the Federal Government Mobile Black Spot Program.
Telstra will contribute $23.3 million, the Victorian, Queensland, South Australian, and Western Australian State Governments $14.3 million and the Commonwealth $18 million.