Residents of a bushfire-prone area that was cut off from the outside world during last October’s Cobaw Ranges blaze have floated the idea of building their own mobile phone tower to combat long-running black-spot problems.
Benloch residents say they are fed up after missing out in previous rounds of federal government black-spot programs and are prepared to take matters into their own hands.
Weekaway camp owner Darren Burns said he had gone as far as offering land during a recent meeting with state government representatives.
‘‘We’ve raised the idea of putting a community tower up and then just having Telstra attach their infrastructure to it,’’ he said. ‘‘Something would be better than nothing.’’
Estimates for the cost of a mobile phone tower range from $300,000 to $1 million.
During the October fire, many residents complained about poor or non-existent mobile and internet coverage, with many unable to access the CFA’s FireReady app or not receiving text alerts until days afterwards.
As reported by Star Weekly online, Environment Minister Lisa Neville last week announced funding for a feasibility study to determine how to address mobile phone problems plaguing the area. She said the government would work with Telstra to come up with potential solutions.
A $100,000 community meeting room and outdoor space is to be built at Benloch fire station as the government continues to fund priority projects in the wake of last year’s blaze.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed the commitment to assess the area’s mobile phone problems.
She said the fact the community was prepared to look at constructing its own phone tower showed how real their frustration was.
A federal communications department spokesman said the government had committed $60 million for the next round of its black-spot program, with more to be made available in the next two years.
Network operators have until June 14 to submit proposals. .
