Dunstan pledges $1.3 million to mobile upgrades

THE COALITION will put $1.3 million towards mobile tower upgrades across the Corangamite electorate if it wins next month’s federal election.

Liberal candidate for Corangamite Darcy Dunstan visited Clifton Springs today (Tuesday, April 8) to make the election commitment alongside residents keen to see some improvement in their phone service.

The works will be targeted at Curlewis, Clifton Springs, Drysdale and Armstrong Creek, among other localities.

Mr Dunstan said people in these areas deserved better than having to walk out of their house or up the road to make a simple phone call.

“The reception here is terrible. When I call my mum who lives in Clifton Springs, she often has to leave her house just to get reception. It’s completely unacceptable.

“I feel this wouldn’t be happening in Collingwood or inner-city Melbourne, so we need to get this upgraded to what the rest of our community in Victoria have.”

Local resident Norma Willoughby has been living on the Bellarine for 10 years and said mobile coverage is a huge issue.

“Where I live it’s not possible to have a conversation with family or friends as after one minute or 10 minutes the call just cuts off.

“Neighbours have wanted to call an ambulance and have not been able to do so because of the reception.

“We aren’t living in the middle of the Simpson Desert; we are living here on the Bellarine, where we should have modern communication.”

She said she and her fellow local residents were paying full price for a service they are not receiving.

“Where else do you pay for goods you don’t receive. It’s crazy, I don’t know why we are doing it.”

Mr Dunstan said the Coalition will complete greater feasibility studies to determine exactly where the upgrades are needed.