Corangamite MP Libby Coker has launched a survey to collect Bellarine residents’ experiences of the region’s mobile phone coverage.
Ms Coker said she was particularly interested to hear from residents in St Leonards, Indented Head and Curlewis.
“I’ve resorted to conducting my own survey in response to the many complaints coming to my office from Bellarine residents experiencing poor mobile reception,” Ms Coker said.
“Many complaints are from St Leonards, Indented Heads and Curlewis. There’s no doubt that reception is really poor, and sometimes non-existent, for many in those areas. I’ve experienced this myself travelling to and from local Bellarine townships.
“For people living in those black spots it’s not just frustrating, it’s creating real risks. This has been especially so during the pandemic where parents are trying to support their children or elderly family members.”
Ms Coker said decent mobile reception to call an ambulance or other services is a necessity.
“I met recently with the St Leonards Progress Association,” she said.
“Its members are totally frustrated by an apparent lack of care by the phone companies. Once I develop a detailed understanding of the nature and geographic spread of the reception issues I’ll go to the telco companies and make strong representations on behalf of Bellarine communities.”
Ms Coker said a similar approach had benefited Armstrong Creek residents, with a petition and community meeting leading to Telstra and Optus to announce late last year they would fast-track plans for new phone towers in the growing area.
“I’d urge people having mobile phone reception issues to take a couple of minutes to fill out the on-line survey and help me make Bellarine communities better connected and safer,” Ms Coker said.
The survey can be accessed at libbycoker.com.au/surveybellarinemobile.
