By Parker McKenzie
The Dandenong Ranges is no stranger to natural disasters. In recent times, it has seen both destructive storms sweep through and bushfires set the green hills ablaze.
During bushfires, floods and storms, the resilience of the telecommunication network can prove to be the difference between life and death, which is why Yarra Ranges Council included the issue in an advocacy plan approved by councillors on Tuesday 13 September.
The council is advocating for “improved mobile connectivity in five key areas with low or no mobile service quality”, including the Dandenong Ranges, upgrading NBN broadband services from fixed wireless, satellite and FTTN to FTTP in key areas with slow broadband service and strengthening telecommunication network resilience during power outages and emergencies through “increased battery back-up at mobile towers and generator power for NBN nodes.”
An independent review of telecommunications infrastructure resilience during the 2019-20 bushfires by the Inspector General for Emergency Management found two key vulnerabilities: loss of power to mobile base station sites and pre-existing mobile black spots.
According to a report by Emergency Management Victoria, the storm weather event created the largest power outages in Victorian history, with 3000 people in the Dandenong Ranges losing power for three weeks and 71 per cent of people who responded to a survey saying they lost access to at least one of power, internet or telecommunications.
Data, surveys and reports show the issue is a major one, so what has been done since the storms?
Connecting Victoria, the Victorian Government’s $550 million program to fast-track better mobile coverage and broadband access throughout the state, has yet to announce any projects to tackle the mobile black spots, poor internet coverage and telecommunications issues plaguing the region.
On Thursday 21 July, the first large investment in telecommunications in the region since the June 2021 storm weather event was announced, with two new mobile base stations being funded through the federal Peri-Urban Mobile Program in Silvan and Menzies Creek.
In late 2021 Yarra Ranges Council introduced 10 trial sites for fixed installations of NBN disaster satellite services throughout the Valley and Dandenong Ranges, including in Monbulk, Olinda and The Patch.
The trials were funded through the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disaster grant, a $37.1 million federal program.
Over the weeks leading up to the November 26 state election, the Star Mail will be exploring what needs to be done, where the candidates stand on the issue and how the Dandenong Ranges can avoid being cut off during natural disasters.
