PUCV joins push for better regional telecommunications

THE Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) alliance has joined the Surf Coast Shire’s push for better telecommunications on the urban fringe, raising the issue during a visit to Canberra.

The alliance of five municipalities, which include the Surf Coast and Golden Plains shires, has put forward its submission ahead of the 2026/27 federal budget.

In its submission, PUCV recommends the federal government formally recognise telecommunications as essential national infrastructure, and also continue and expand targeted peri urban mobile investment programs.

PUCV chair, Cr Moira Berry, said the alliance’s push was timely as the Albanese government had recently announced the new AusAlert national emergency warning system.

“Grey spots are now widespread in peri-urban Victoria, the result of infrastructure that has not kept up with sustained population growth and strains under seasonal populations growth that can double or triple in peak seasons,” she said.

“The new AusAlert national warning system must be designed to accommodate the risks of grey and black telecommunication and digital spots or some of our communities are at risk of completely missing important warnings.”

She cited the flash floods along the south-west Victorian coast in January, when community members and holiday-makers reported failed call attempts, dropouts, unusable mobile data and delayed or failed VicEmergency notifications, as an illustration of the urgency of the issue.

“This summer showed us, again, that lives and livelihoods depend on reliable digital and telecommunications connectivity, this is no longer optional infrastructure, it is essential for every community across the country,” Cr Berry said.

“Peri-urban Victoria is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.

“Addressing digital and telecommunication gaps protects communities and gives confidence to tourism, agriculture, retail, remote workers and small business confidence.”

PUCV’s delegation to Canberra included Surf Coast mayor, Libby Stapleton, and Golden Plains mayor, Owen Sharkey, and it met with MPs including Wannon Liberal federal member Dan Tehan.

Last month, the Surf Coast Shire council resolved to move a motion at a coming Australian Local Government Association meeting urging the federal government to make mobile and data coverage more reliable at peak times, particularly during bushfires and other natural disasters.

At the February 24 meeting, Cr Leon Walker said a minimum standard of mobile coverage nationwide was not enough.

“When we talk of adequate mobile coverage, this isn’t talking about slow internet or bad reception or fixed line NBN. We are talking about no mobile reception at all,” he said.

“At certain times when the population goes from 1,000 to 20,000, there’s no mobile phone or internet at all, in particular Lorne and Aireys Inlet; both bushfire-prone zones.”