By Taylah Eastwell
Yarra Ranges Council is once again advocating to the state government to vastly improve telecommunications services in the region, with the impacts of lockdowns and recent wild weather amplifying connectivity issues.
With parts of the shire facing the year-round threat of severe weather events, better mobile and broadband accessibility for the region is vital, with recent storm events in the Dandenongs leaving many communities off the grid – unable to reach 000 or loved ones in their time of need.
The Star Mail understands that over two months since the June 9 storms, there are still around 700 NBN services yet to be restored.
Mayor Fiona McAllister said addressing the connectivity issues across Yarra Ranges has been critical for years and needs to be fixed, not just to help residents in emergency situations but also in everyday life with local businesses and schools being impacted.
“Connectivity has long been an issue for many of our townships in Yarra Ranges, and was raised as a significant issue following Black Saturday. Again it was the number one frustration we heard from our storm impacted communities when holding our post-storm community meetings,” Cr McAllister said.
“34 of our communities lost mobile and broadband service over the first three days of the June storms, meaning they didn’t know what was going on, couldn’t reach out to loved ones, access emergency information or even dial 000 for assistance.
“Two months after the storm event, NBN Co. confirmed that there are still 700 services – many of which are in the Yarra Ranges – yet to be restored, which makes things incredibly difficult when you consider so many of our residents have been working from home during the lockdowns.
Cr McAllister said it is “unacceptable that in 2021 our communities are still suffering and remain heavily disadvantaged due to poor telecommunications infrastructure.”
Council is undertaking its own study to gain a greater understanding of the mobile and broadband difficulties in the community, including a community survey of fixed and wireless internet services in homes and businesses and blackspot testing.
“The data from our study showed that 4G service could not be accessed at 25 percent of the sites and road segments we tested, while poor network quality and mobile blackspots were concentrated around the Dandenong Ranges, tourist roads such as the Black Spur, and areas toward Beenak and Hoddles Creek,” Cr McAllister said.
A series of virtual consultations are currently underway for the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.
The Issues Paper, consultation dates, and details on how to make a submission can be found at www.rtirc.gov.au. Written submissions should be lodged by Thursday 30 September.
