Residents question lack of mobile coverage as bushfires hit

A mobile blackspot in the Upper Derwent Valley has frustrated residents left without means to make or receive phone calls during this week’s bushfires.

RESIDENTS in the Upper Derwent Valley are returning home after this week’s bushfires – but they’re questioning why their towns didn’t have solid mobile coverage when the consequences could have been deadly.

Pelham has been a mobile blackspot since Next G arrived, according to resident Tracey Eyles, who bought her home 12 years ago.

She said she was previously able to use her mobile phone, but since Telstra “upgraded” its service, she needed to use an antenna – which only worked if she had electricity.

With Monday’s bushfires destroying and grounding power lines along Pelham Road, Ms Eyles was unable to make or receive emergency calls.

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Workers fix fallen power lines in Pelham after the fires. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Her sentiments were echoed by neighbour David Curtis, who said he did not have access to communications at all on Monday night.

A Telstra spokesman said Pelham should have 3G coverage normally – and there did not seem to be any loss of service this week.

Tasmania Fire Service said it had systems in place to communicate with residents affected or threatened by bushfire.

“We have a number of ways of getting info out and one of those is our crews on the ground, who can communicate with people in the area. Through radio and the media, that’s where we get our messages out,” northern regional chief Ian Bounds said.

The concern around communications comes as Telstra announced on Wednesday it would provide mainland volunteer firefighters with free mobile phone bills over December and January along with assistance packages for residents.

The Telstra spokesman said the company was looking into whether the disaster recovery relief package would be extended to Tasmania.

One home was destroyed in Pelham’s blaze, but plenty of property has been reduced to rubble including sheds, outhouses, stock, fencing and water tanks.

Damaged properties at Pelham. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

A bushfire watch and act message remains active for Pelham and surrounding areas including Elderslie and Broadmarsh, with residents urged to remain vigilant and non-residents advised to stay away.

Roads are being managed by Tasmania Police, with access for residents only as fallen trees and powerlines remain a risk for motorists.

Firefighters said Pelham and surrounding towns could still be threatened by ember attacks, and residents have been told to be aware of changing wind conditions, smoke and ash.