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Vol. 18 No. 2
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Wednesday, July 8, 2015
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$1.6M blackspot BY DEAN LAWSON
A
phone tower to eliminate a critical mobile-phone blackspot area in the northern Grampians would cost $1.6-million and the State Government should find the lion’s share the money. That’s the assessment of Member for Lowan Emma Kealy who added that the combination of firesecurity and tourism promotion would more than cover the investment. Ms Kealy said she believed the Wartook Valley’s absence in the first-round roll-out of a multi-million-dollar Mobile Black Spot Program was primarily based on how much an appropriate telecommunication tower in the area would cost. “My information is that a combination of terrain in the area and the infrastructure needed makes construction particularly expensive and that this tower would cost about $1.6-million on its own. This makes it hard for it to stack up against national criteria,” she said. “As it stands, the cost from a financial investment point of view is prohibitive for private enterprise. This means it has to be a contribution from local government and/or the State Government. Local government simply can’t afford it, which means the responsibility sits with the state in leading the way.” The Federal Government has committed $100-mil-
lion in round one of the program to address mobile black spots in outer metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. Round one includes investment into 499 new and upgraded mobile base stations. Of 109 towers in regional Victoria, 19 are in the Wimmera-Mallee. The Federal Government assessed each proposed base station after a competitive selection process based on: the extent of new mobile coverage; its nomination by an MP; co-contributions from partners; cost to the Commonwealth; services offered; roaming potential; and whether more than one mobile network operator would provide services from the tower.
Fire-safety
Ms Kealy said a strong lobby had already outlined fire-safety needs for improved mobile telecommunications in the northern Grampians and it was also important to tap into development potential. “Apart from the obvious need regarding emergencies such as bushfires, it is also important to capitalise on projects such as the Grampians Peaks Trail where mobile telephone coverage will be essential,” she said. “We don’t want a situation where we spend millions of dollars establishing a world-class wilderness-tourism attraction where mobile phone communication isn’t up to scratch.
“I look forward to Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford and Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett seeing the obvious need for this to happen and to find a way to generate the investment. “This is one of those issues that has suddenly revealed itself when we all thought it was part of a project that was all but signed, sealed and delivered. It is up to governments of the time to respond appropriately.” Bushfires, including a major blaze early last year, have highlighted a lack of mobile phone coverage in the northern Grampians. A deputation led by Horsham Rural City Council travelled to Canberra to put its case to the Federal Government. Earlier this year, Premier Daniel Andrews said during a launch of the Grampians Peak Trail in the Grampians that the State Government was grateful to the Commonwealth Government for the significant investment it had made in eliminating black spots. He said at the time: “When there is a need for the State Government to make a small contribution or match a contribution with the Federal Government, we will always look to do that. “It’s important for safety and part of making sure that no matter where you live you get the services you need.”
FIRE PRONE: The Wartook Valley after the 2014 northern Grampians bushfire. Picture: DEAN LAWSON.
IN THIS ISSUE • Horsham Town Hall over budget • Missing persons week • Footy review finalised Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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