Otways come into range

TWO towns in the Otways now have better phone coverage with the construction of two mobile base stations.

The towers in Gellibrand and Kawarren, funded by the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, went live earlier this month, giving nearby homes, businesses and visitors access to 3G and 4GX coverage.

“This is such a big win for the community and I want to thank local residents for their advocacy,” Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said.

“Local residents, as well as motorists travelling to and from the Great Ocean Road, have suffered from poor mobile communications for far too long.

“In 2014, I convened a community meeting at Gellibrand with the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Communications Minister, Paul Fletcher, about the need for better communications. It was a packed house, with mobile black spots the biggest issue.

“In 2015, I secured mobile phone blackspot funding commitments for Gellibrand and Kawarren along with six other locations; and now at last we are seeing Telstra deliver on this new infrastructure in partnership with the Turnbull government.”

“I want to thank the people of Gellibrand and Kawarren for their patience and want to particularly mention Corrie Koorn of the Otways Tourist Park who has been a very strong advocate for better mobile reception.”

She said the federal government was funding 18 new mobile base stations across Corangamite – Barongarook, Carlisle River, Yeodene and Hordern Vale have gone active and Apollo Bay and Steiglitz will be commissioned soon.

“However, I am extremely disappointed by delays with the construction of a mobile base station at Dereel and have raised my concerns with Telstra.

“I have been a very strong local voice for the needs of towns in areas of high bushfire risk.

“Mobile communication is vital not just for small businesses, residents and tourists but for firefighters and other emergency service personnel.”