Communities benefit from mobile phone signal booster installation

Published on 08 August 2024

Seven Gannawarra Shire-based community hubs are benefiting from the recent installation of mobile phone signal booster technology.

Council has worked with Telstra during the past year to investigate options to boost mobile phone capabilities in community hubs across the municipality’s smaller communities, with the issue of lack of mobile phone coverage prevalent throughout the response to the 2022 floods.

“The 2022 floods highlighted the need for residents to be connected with the latest information, which is usually available via digital technology,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Forty-four per cent the Gannawarra was inundated during the 2022 floods, with our small rural communities and farming districts most impacted.

“Not being able to connect to loved ones during times of emergency can add additional worry to what is already a stressful time for residents, whilst providing information via digital means and accessing emergency support is difficult when your community has limited mobile phone coverage.”

The Gannawarra Community Resilience Flood Recovery Action Plan captured the communities concerns around digital connectivity and Council has worked with Telstra to install signal boosters at seven locations throughout the municipality, thanks to funding from the Emergency Recovery Victoria Community Hubs Funding Program.

Boosters were recently installed at the Benjeroop, Dingwall, Gannawarra, Koroop, Lake Charm and Myall halls, as well as the Macorna Recreation Reserve, which will benefit visitors to these locations.

“The boosters are designed to enable improved digital connectivity within these buildings during times of emergencies, but we have already received feedback that the boosters have provided the added advantage of providing mobile phone reception outside these buildings,” Mr Rollinson said.

“This will provide some peace of mind for residents needing to connect with loved ones and services during the next emergency as well as benefiting community events and activities that take place at these community hubs throughout the year.

“Council thanks the State and Federal governments and Telstra for their support to provide this assistance to our communities, and we look forward to continuing to work with our telecommunications providers to further improve connectivity for our residents.”

Visitors to the seven venues the boosters have been installed are already noticing the improvement in mobile phone reception.

“The installation of the mobile phone signal booster is a welcome addition to our facilities and will make a big difference for the club and our community,” Macorna Football Netball Club president, Greg Whinfield said.

ABOVE: Mobile phone signal boosters have been installed at seven Gannawarra Shire Council-based community venues, including the Lake Charm Hall.