Wicks speaks of need for mobile coverage

Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks has spoken in Federal Parliament about the need for better mobile phone coverage in the area.

Ms Wicks said improving mobile coverage in the Federal electorate of Robertson was a vital issue and one that the community was passionate about.

"In the months leading up to the recent federal election, I heard from hundreds and hundreds of local residents from our region who told me why a lack of mobile coverage in certain areas is such a critical issue," Ms Wicks said.

"Together, we have been working and fighting hard to see this issue addressed through our $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program," she said.

During the July Federal election campaign, the Government made a commitment to improve coverage in Killcare among other locations.

Ms Wicks said the community had "struggled for many, many years with poor or, in some cases, non-existent mobile coverage.

"For communities like Killcare, their limited mobile coverage means that down on the beach and at the Killcare Surf Life Saving Club, for instance, there is little to no mobile coverage.

"That is something that club representatives and volunteer lifesavers have indicated to me and expressed their concern about.

"I visited them on the weekend [Saturday, November 19] for a community forum and spoke with a number of passionate local residents about their challenges and frustrations.

"Community feedback in this process of delivering improved mobile coverage is actually important to delivering the best possible outcome, including for instance locations where the mobile tower could possibly be replaced and where some of the worst blackspots are.

"Sam from Fraser Rd in Killcare told me that his home does not have mobile coverage and that, as a small-business owner, he has to rely entirely on his landline.

"Colin, who lives on the same street, has a similar story.

"Nearby neighbours Jean and Peter have no mobile coverage in their home.

"After the severe storms in April last year, their family were left with no power or phone connection for at least four weeks.

"Cut off from mobile networks, it was nearly impossible to contact family, friends, insurance companies and contractors for repairs.

"Not only is this a safety issue, of course, but it prevents families from keeping up-to-date with smartphone technology and innovative technologies.

"Michael, a resident of a nearby street in Killcare... is unable to access mobile coverage from his house.

"He also wanted to register his frustration at our community forum.

"Frances, Quentin and Caroline all shared very similar issues, telling me that in some parts of Patricia Place at Killcare coverage is so poor that not even emergency SOS calls can be made and this to an area that would be considered to be fairly urban on the Central Coast.

"Thanks to the advocacy of the Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association, we know that this is a long-running experience that has, in some ways, united the community in their frustration.

"Ian Bull, the secretary of the association, has been in regular contact with me on this issue.

"This week, I was able to share these stories and many more with the Minister for Regional Communications to highlight the urgency of this situation and to ensure that we deliver the best possible outcome for these communities as soon as possible.

"We know that this is going to take a little bit of time because mobile network operators are an integral part of the process to ensure that the best solutions are found for this region but this government has heard this message.

"We will work to deliver on our commitment to the residents of Killcare...for better mobile coverage services, which they desperately need."

Submission, 22 Nov 2016

Tim Sowden, Office of Lucy Wicks