TWO premier sporting venues have backed calls for a communications tower to be erected in the Glenburnie district amid frustrations building over patchy mobile phone coverage.
Mount Gambier Racing Club and Borderline Speedway have called for an urgent response given disruptions to the running of their venues.
The push comes as Grant District Council earmarks $50,000 in a bid to leapfrog up the lengthy black spot funding list.
But council has hit out at the State Government for attaching a $50,000 requirement to the expression of interest process given the payment does not extend to metropolitan communities.
Council is hoping it can attract a tower to potentially cover the Mount Gambier and Districts Saleyards, speedway and racing club, which collectively attract thousands of people each year.
The local government body is also seeking a solution to the coverage black spots in the vicinity of The Barn at OB Flat.
Borderline Speedway president Cary Jennings urged government authorities to accelerate the process.
Explaining Borderline had recently taken the tile of Australia’s best speedway, he said mobile phone coverage – as well as broadband connection problems – was hampering its growth.
“To move forward and make our club better we need improved mobile phone coverage,” Mr Jennings said.
While the mobile phones did work at times at the facility, he said coverage “dropped out” during events because of the number of people using their phones.
In particular, the lack of coverage was affecting live streaming as well as communications between the pit gate, the main gate and security staff.
“At one time, we could have 500 people in the pits and 2000 people on the hill and nobody can get coverage,” Mr Jennings revealed.
Mount Gambier Racing Club general manager Brett Watson echoed similar sentiments and conceded frustrations were beginning to spill over regarding the unreliable service.
“It is a big headache for the club, particularly during cup and race days. You cannot get hold of anybody because it is just jammed up – it is very frustrating.”
The State Government has called for “expressions of interest” from regional communities for round five of the $80m commonwealth mobile black spot program.
But a key requirement is the regional communities pay a “minimum” of $50,000 per application.
Council will write a letter to Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone to voice its opposition to the co-funding requirement given mobile phone coverage was an “essential service”.
Council acting chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh said the co-contribution clause was “insulting” for regional communities.
“The government is only asking rural communities. It would not be heard of in the city that you would have to pay money to get service,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
Deputy Mayor Gill Clayfield said it was “wrong” making rural people pay for “what city people get”.
“But if we do not pay it, we are not going to get it,” Cr Clayfield said.
Adding to the debate, Cr Julie Reis said mobile coverage was an “essential service” and government’s funding criteria “makes her cross”.
Council economic development advisor Mike Ryan said discussions with Telstra indicated it had no immediate plans to roll out a tower.
“It is not on Telstra’s plan for the foreseeable future as part of its ongoing upgrades on a commercial basis,” Mr Ryan said.
He said the government’s round five black spot funding program appeared to be the only avenue to gain a tower at this stage.
Grant District Mayor Richard Sage said patchy coverage was a pressing issue for stock agents at the saleyards.
“They cannot get mobile coverage during sales. People who are selling stock or wanting to buy cannot get in contact until after the sale has finished,” the mayor said.
Applications for the black spot funding close tomorrow.
Council will also write to Member for Barker Tony Pasin on the issue given the majority of the money is delivered by the Federal Government.
