WIMMERA leaders have welcomed new mobile phone towers throughout the region.
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Telstra Country Wide south-west Victoria area manager Bill Mundy said over the next three years, new towers would be installed across western Victoria to significantly expand mobile coverage.
"We are aware of the challenges facing communities living with limited access to a mobile network," he said.
"That is why we are excited to play an important role in delivering mobile coverage to a large number of regional communities."
New towers:
Hindmarsh - Netherby
Horsham - Kalkee and Kewell
Northern Grampians - Marnoo A, Marnoo B, Wallaloo East and Yorke Plains
West Wimmera - Chetwynd A, Chetwynd B, Coonnewirricoo, Harrow, Kadnook and Wombelano
Yarriambiack - Boolite, Minyip, Patchewollock, Sheep Hills and Wallup
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad has campaigned to fix mobile phone blackspots in the region since he was elected in 2013.
He said the new towers would cover more than 260 blackspots in the Wimmera and Mallee.
"This is a great outcome for the region, with a total of $15.19 million to be invested on new or improved mobile coverage in our area," he said.
"The people of this electorate have nominated blackspots as a crucial factor affecting the area and this announcement addresses these concerns, with 266 mobile blackspots to receive coverage.
"I have always said that regionally based Australians deserve to have a quality network that allows them to link with the resources and opportunities that city dwellers take for granted."
Member for Ripon Louise Staley said towers at Marnoo and Wallaloo East were a big win for the Northern Grampians region.
"These are the areas the community advocated for and the areas that needed to be addressed," she said.
"I am pleased to see some traction happening now."
Ms Staley said mobile phone blackspots and road funding were the two most frequently raised issued.
"While the state government doesn't have the primary responsibility for the issue with mobile phones, we still needed to put our communities first," she said.
"I congratulate Telstra and the federal government on this program."
