FIONA PHILLIPS
MEMBER FOR GILMORE

PHILLIPS RENEWS CALLS TO FIX PRINCES HIGHWAY

MOBILE PHONE BLACKSPOTS

Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, is today renewing her calls for mobile black spots to be fixed along the Princes Highway, specifically at Termeil and Benandarah.

The 2019-20 bushfires made it crystal clear that quality mobile coverage is critical for our community during disasters.

Since the bushfires, Mrs Phillips has been working with Telstra on how to improve telecommunications and mobile phone coverage to help keep people safe.  

Mrs Phillips was also pleased to achieve for the community an outcome with Telstra that has realised the construction of the new Clyde Mountain Mobile Tower, pivotal in times of emergency.

Further, following the bushfires, Mrs Phillips has been on the job with Telstra in terms of improved disaster resilience and is also pleased to see:

• Improved battery backup at mobile phone towers
• Additional mobile Cells on Wheels (COWS) to provide mobile coverage to communities in times of need
• The further rollout of 5G technology enhancing mobile coverage
• Further assistance from Telstra for customers in times of emergency

Also, Mrs Phillips has collaborated with NBN Co. ensuring more homes and businesses are included within the “Fibre to the Premises” upgrade plan, which will further provide some battery back-up, should the power go out… absolutely crucial in times of disaster.

Mrs Phillips thanks the community for their valuable responses to her mobile phone coverage survey last year which helped identify the gaps and work with mobile phone providers to address poor reception and mobile black spots.

“Last year, I was pleased to add my support for Telstra’s submission to the federal government to fix mobile blackspots along the Princes Highway between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla, specifically at Termeil and Benandarah, but there’s much more to do”, Mrs Phillips said.

“I will be continuing to work to address mobile phone coverage across the electorate, particularly along our Princes Highway, so it’s safer for people”, Mrs Phillips concluded.

Additionally, if anyone has any unresolved telecommunications issues they need assistance with, they should feel free to contact the Member for Gilmore’s office on 44 231 782 or call into Mrs Phillips’ electorate office in Nowra or Batemans Bay.