Key mobile phone network blackspots in western Victoria will be fixed after the AusNet’s Western Renewables Link project has stepped in to build three new communication towers from its development phase Community Benefits Program.
The Western Renewables Link (WRL) project is committing to invest more than $3 million on new mobile towers at Lexton, Smeaton and Coimadai benefiting local residents, businesses and supporting emergency response.
The planned installation of the new mobile base stations will provide improved 4G and 5G coverage and follows initial feasibility work undertaken by Telstra, which recognised the need for mobile service improvement in these locations.
Gerard Carew, AusNet General Manager, Major Projects and lead for the Western Renewables Link project, said during the project’s ongoing consultation with the community they have received feedback that fixing the mobile blackspots would be a significant benefit.
“Reliable communication is vital to modern life, such as families staying in touch with relatives, students doing homework, employees working from home and people running local businesses. These new towers will help deliver a noticeably improved connectivity experience for locals and visitors in these areas,” Mr Carew said.
“Most importantly, we have been told that improving mobile connectivity will support community safety, particularly during emergencies” he said.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Grampians Chair Michael Tudball said that the increased mobile connectivity brought by these towers would help to safeguard regional communities during future emergency events.
“Something RDA Grampians has been passionately advocating for is for providers to ensure that people can access mobile networks when they most need them,” said Mr Tudball.
“This development is a step in the right direction and will mean more people are connected to the network and can call for assistance, or reach family, friends and neighbours in times of emergency.”
Further mobile towers will be considered along the WRL route if the project receives planning approval. AusNet, which has been contracted to plan and build WRL, is working closely with Telstra to identify the additional sites to support communities with poor mobile coverage.