Vodafone, Optus lodge plans to fix poor mobile coverage in Point Cook

People are forking out up to $1.3 million to buy land in a popular housing estate in Melbourne's west, only to find the phone reception is terrible. But that could all be about to change.

Vodafone has lodged plans to build a mobile tower at Saltwater Reserve, Point Cook.

Mobile and internet reception in a notorious black spot in Melbourne’s west could soon be boosted, with a major telco lodging plans to build a tower in bustling Point Cook.

Vodafone has submitted a proposal to Wyndham Council — under a joint venture with Optus — to spend $300,000 to put a mobile tower at Saltwater Reserve, which would give customers of both networks access to better 3G and 4G services.

MORE WYNDHAM NEWS

WOMAN PROSECUTED OVER VILE FACEBOOK TIRADE

KIDS ‘TRAINING IN DARK’ AFTER HEARTLESS THEFT

WYNDHAM TO GET FIRST FRESH FOOD MARKET

House and land packages at the Saltwater Coast estate range from $589,000 to $1.3 million but the price doesn’t include adequate mobile phone coverage.

A 2017 change.org petition, calling for towers to be built nearby, garnered 240 signatures.

“We are paying top dollar for mobile phone plans to get no service in the home,” petitioner Josie Fleming wrote.

“It’s 2017, we are 20kms from Melbourne CBD and we have no phone signal.”

William Donaldson wrote: “We don’t live in a 3rd world country so I’m not sure why our coverage is so terrible”.

Peter Emmerson wrote: “Mobile phone service in Saltwater is virtually non-existent, and we are only 18km as the crow flies from Melbourne CBD”.

Seven people have so far objected to the proposal.

According to the application, the tower — a 22m pole — would include aircraft warning lights, and existing lights from the nearby footy ground would be relocated there.

“The installation of a new telecommunication facility in Point Cook will enable residents, schools, community organisations, businesses and visitors to access essential telecommunication services,” the proposal states.

“The facility would provide economic benefits, through improved services, a greater choice of service carriers and by maintaining competition between providers to reduce costs to consumers.”

The application is due to be decided by Wyndham Council at a later date.