Optus phone tower to be constructed at The Barn at Ob Flat on outskirts of Mount Gambier

Guests at a Limestone Coast dining institution will no longer feel like they are “entering a third world country” when a new phone tower arrives, according to its manager.

After more than a decade of community lobbying mobile reception is on its way to Ob Flat.

The country area currently receives little phone service, despite its location on the outskirts of Mount Gambier with a telecommunication tower just 7km away.

An Optus tower is set to be commissioned on land leased from South East dining institution The Barn, 300m from restaurant and accommodation at Lot 2 Clarke Road.

Manager Kent Comley said the increased reception had been a long time coming.

“We’ve been lobbying everyone who will listen, state, federal, and council to improve telecommunications here since we really constructed the accommodation back in 2009,” Mr Comley said.

“It has been a special situation at Ob Flat because there’s not a great deal of population density but we’ve made the case that we have about 70,000 customers a year through here, at least, between the accommodation, steakhouse and conferences.”

The Barn manager Kent Comley said it was fantastic news that Ob Flat would receive better mobile reception thanks to an Optus tower. Picture: Jessica Ball

Mr Comley said it was fantastic news for visitors but would like Telstra and Vodafone to also come to the party.

“It’ll make them feel like they’re not entering a third world country,” he said.

“We get people driving up the road to get their emails for work and to make phone calls.

“When taxis pulled up, they had to park at the front of the driveway to process people’s payments on their mobile Eftpos.”

The tower has been granted planning and building consent but an Optus spokesperson said no time frame could be set until further approvals were received.

“In response to state and local governments as well as the community of Mount Gambier’s calls for improved coverage in the region, Optus has plans to enhance coverage and capacity by deploying a tower in Ob Flat,” the spokesperson said.

“The site will be designed to cater for maximum attendance at major local events such as Generations In Jazz, where thousands of locals and visitors to the region are expected, incorporating the necessary equipment and technologies to ensure attendees can access our best network ever.

Although cancelled for 2021 Mount Gambier’s largest annual event, Generation in Jazz will benefit from the tower.

Event co-ordinator Karen Roberts said reception had historically been a problem with up to 6000 people trying to access their phones in the Ob Flat area at the one time.

“The range out there is difficult,” Ms Roberts said.

“Anything out there has to be an advantage for us.”

The Ob Flat will join 34 Optus towers servicing the Limestone Coast.