Capricorn Coast locals call for solutions to mobile phone black spots before cyclone, fire season

If you’re struggling to get proper phone reception in Yeppoon or surrounding areas, you’re not alone.

Residents on the Capricorn Coast are demanding higher quality phone reception as the flood, fire and cyclone season approaches.

The complaints come in lieu of allegations that residents are unable to make clear phone calls while driving or in certain streets on the coast.

In some cases, phone calls are so impaired that people are opting to communicate via text messages.

Capricorn Coast resident Jo Ballard linked the issue of phone reception to the disaster season.

“It is critical,” Ms Ballard said.

“We need to have that assurance that our phone service is available — particularly if we get a cyclone or even if there are really bad storms.
“It’s really, really frustrating.
“It’s just the normal everyday things [that you miss out on] … you can’t pick up the phone and make a call when you feel like it.”
Labor Candidate for Capricornia Emily Mawson is initiating a mobile phone black-spot survey to quantify the full extent of the problem.

“I know there are areas where people struggle to get the basic level of mobile coverage at their home or business,” Ms Mawson said.

“That’s incredibly frustrating when so much of our day to day lives rely on mobile phone service.

“It’s also a safety issue in a region which sees more than its fair share of natural disasters.”

Sitting Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said she has been lobbying to secure a new mobile base station for Collinsville, which is now open for public consultation.

“Collinsville and Scottville residents deserve mobile coverage on par with metropolitan areas. On my visits to Collinsville this year, I experienced the coverage issues firsthand and it simply wasn’t good enough,” Ms Landry said.

“Construction will begin early next year, following public consultation closing and the Whitsunday Regional Council approving the Development Application.”

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said she had nominated multiple sites across Capricornia for Round 8 of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

 
Ms Landry said she had heard the complaints of local residents “loud and clear.”
“I’ve worked tirelessly to address mobile black spots and improve coverage across Capricornia.

“Through my Mobile Offices, countless conversations on the street, and meetings with constituents, I’ve heard loud and clear the frustration about unreliable mobile service.

“I’ve taken this fight directly to Telstra, advocating for additional mobile base stations and upgrades to existing towers. Telstra is now working with councils to secure the best possible locations to deliver these much-needed improvements.”
She also said she nominated areas on the Coast for a government initiative focused on mobile reception.

“I’ve also taken proactive steps by nominating multiple sites across Capricornia, including the Capricorn Coast, for Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.”
“These initiatives are crucial for delivering real, lasting improvements to our mobile network.”

The Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program provides funding to improve coverage in regional and remote areas prone to Natural Disasters, including bushfires, cyclones and floods.

More than $1bn has been invested in the program to date.

Community consultation for the Collinsville tower is open until 5PM, Monday February 10, with submissions being made to [e-mail].

Have mobile phone black spots made your life harder, or put you at risk? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Capricorn Coast locals call for solutions to mobile phone black spots before cyclone, fire season