Neave Moore
Naracoorte Lucindale Council will not support Telstra’s proposal to take part in a Limestone Coast development, which would see phone towers built across the region to increase connectivity.
The proposal from Telstra is part of a wider project involving all Limestone Coast councils, in which councils would contribute five per cent of the cost to build mobile towers stations in the rural areas of the district, but after discussion in confidence, the elected members have voted against supporting the proposal.
Mayor Patrick Ross said the final vote was split 6 to 4 following a reportedly long discussion in confidence where all councillors provided their thoughts on the proposal, received earlier that meeting on May 23.
“Pretty much every councillor had quite a lot of commentary,” Mayor Ross said.
“I think the first thing that nearly all councillors agreed on is that the Telstra coverage has been reducing over the last eighteen months to two years.
“Where I live, in the north-western part of the district, we’ve had boosters on our houses for five or six years, maybe longer, boosters in our work vehicles for three or four years… it was problematic on a daily basis, but with the boosters that improved our coverage to no end.”
Voting in support for the motion was of the proposal endorsement were councillors Damien Ross, Tom Dennis, Craig McGuire and deputy mayor Monique Crossling.
Voting against it was councillors Trevor Rayner, Abigail Goodman, Andrew Downward, Peter Ireland, Cameron Grundy and Darren Turner.
Mayor Ross said that in the discussion it was “generally accepted by councillors that this (mobile connectivity) was not the business of council”.
“[It is] not the business of council to be funding anything for private enterprise, whether Telstra or anyone else,” he said.
“The councillors which voted in favour of the proposal argued for the common good for the community, and for people passing through the district [for] these three towers (Stewarts Range, Coles and Reedy Creek).”
When asked if this decision is to impact the progress on addressing connectivity issues around the district and whether a solution may be placed on the backburner, Mr Ross said it would not.
“Nothing is ever placed on the backburner,” he said.
“Other councils have gone on to the next step, basically saying that they ‘support the proposal in principle and we need to consider other funding options’.”
“There is more discussion today about where technology is going, and technology is growing at the speed of sound and is rapidly developing, and we just dont know… the region, for example, may be able to fund their own satellite just delivering everything they need and want,” he said.
“My understanding is that the motion was lost because the councillors did not believe council should be supporting Telstra or subsidising Telstra in what they should be delivering to the broader community, that was my take on it.”
Telstra’s Regional General Manager for SA Michael Patterson said that demand for mobile connectivity is increasing each year across Australia.
“We are working hard to increase coverage and capacity rather than turning down local coverage,” he said.
“Changes in mobile coverage can happen as a result of a range of factors and if anyone believes their coverage experience has changed we encourage them to contact their provider.
“Providing regional connectivity is not just a Telstra responsibility- it’s a challenge that must be shared between Federal, State and Local governments and with providers such as the nbn, us and other mobile carriers.
“Building new base stations and providing connectivity is an expensive task, often running into millions of dollars.
“Partnerships and co-investments can help deliver new coverage in places where it is not economically feasible for one carrier to carry the entire cost and may not have been constructed otherwise. Having access to a reliable mobile service provides safety benefits, help keep regional Australians connected and improves access to the digital economy.”
Mr Patterson said that Telstra has received positive feedback from other councils and local industry bodies including South Australian Forestry Products Association.
“They recognise the increasing value of mobile connectivity for their members, local residents and tourists to the region,” he said.
“The aim of this co-investment is to address the major blackspots and accommodate tourists during peak times right across the South East in a regional approach.
“If this project is successful in receiving approval and co-investment federal government funding, constructing these new sites in the south east would be our first priority.
“If the Council chooses not to become involved, then it would be unlikely that Telstra would consider any significant upgrades in this Council area until these other sites are completed.”
