AFTER a decade of fighting for better coverage, Wartook Valley, Laharum and Yaapeet will receive new mobile phone towers.
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Wartook Valley will receive a new Telstra tower while Laharum and Yaapeet will receive Optus towers.
The towers are part of the federal government’s mobile blackspot program.
Residents in the three towers were furious after missing out on towers in round one of the program.
Horsham Rural City Council and Yarriambiack Shire Council each contributed $10,000 to the government in a bid to get the towers funded.
Telstra and Optus are yet to confirm when the towers will be rolled out.
Wartook Valley, Laharum community
Brimpaen Fire Brigade member and farmer Luke Dunn said mobile phone coverage was a major issue during the Grampians bushfires in 2014.
“Phone service does hinder us a lot in a fire, or with rescues in the Grampians,” he said.
“It’s been an issue for many years and everyone will be happy now.”
“To finally have this announcement – the whole community will be excited.”
Brimpaen farmer and Horsham councillor David Grimble said there had been a long campaign from the community for better coverage.
“There is no doubt that everyone will be delighted by this outcome,” he said.
“The disappointment of missing out in the first round will be overshadowed by this news.
“The community can rest assured that their issues will now be addressed.”
Horsham mayor Pam Clarke said the Laharum and Wartook Valley area was vulnerable without phone service.
“It’s important for tourism and in emergency situations such as fires – it’s been an issue for many years,” Cr Clarke said.
“The fact that we are getting two towers is fantastic.”
Yaapeet community
Mobile phone service was also an issue during bushfires at Yaapeet in 2014.
At the time, Yaapeet woman Jan Edelsten slammed the lack of mobile phone coverage in the area.
"We've got a desperate need for a mobile phone service,'' she said.
"Emergency services out in the fires – they haven't got any service, just their radios.
"Strike teams can't contact their families after they've been fighting the fires to let them know they're safe.''
Ben Gosling farms north of Yaapeet and said the news was fantastic.
“We’re in the middle of harvest at the moment and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to stand on the truck roof to get service, just to check grain prices,” he said.
Mr Gosling said the lack of phone service had been a safety issue in the town.
“We had very limited phone service for so long,” he said.
“Just trying to run a business and doing general harvest is a logistical nightmare.”
Mr Gosling said he would be happy to change to Optus to get coverage.
“People will have to re-work contracts and things, which could be a bit of a hassle, but at the end of the day any provider is better than no provider,” he said.
Yarriambiack Mayor Graeme Massey said the Yaapeet community had been chasing a tower for a long time.
“This is tremendous news for the area,” he said.
“An big area such as Wyperfeld National Park shouldn’t be in a blackspot – it’s great to see the government has finally committed to fixing this issue.”
Politicians’ views
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad said the better coverage could save lives in the future.
“The fires that devastated parts of the Wartook Valley a few years back were a timely reminder of the importance of reliable communication in times of crisis,” he said.
Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy has congratulated the communities on their lobbying efforts at Wartook Valley, Laharum and Yaapeet.
“Mobile phone coverage is vital in rural and regional areas, particularly due to isolation,” she said.
“For the Laharum and Wartook Ranges, improved mobile phone service will support increased tourism, the large investment made towards the Grampians Peaks Trail and warnings during bushfires.
“This outcome is an excellent example of our rural communities providing strong support in partnership with local agencies to make a positive difference to our local area.”