Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman has hit out at the state government over inconsistencies in WA's regional mobile network, and says recent storm activity in the South West demonstrated the need for the government to take action.
Mr Redman noted the widespread power outages experienced across many communities in the South West, some lasting many hours.
"This caused the battery back-up systems on mobile phone towers to go flat resulting in complete loss of phone services," he said.
"With the demise of landlines and our current reliance on mobile or NBN based phones, there is a real issue when people are unable to send or receive calls or messages, especially during storms or bushfires."
Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan responded to Mr Redman in parliament, saying the impact on Margaret River was similar to that felt in other areas around the state.
Mr Logan said he was pleased to see that the federal government would be providing funding to address the issue of resilience, "particularly for mobile phone towers".
"As I have raised personally on a number of occasions with Telstra, its failure to do proper maintenance on those towers and replace those batteries when they diminish in power may be an issue.
"The good news is that funding from the appropriate body, the federal government, which is responsible for telecommunication, will eventually be forwarded to WA for building resilience in mobile phone towers."
In May the Federal government announced the $37.1 million package to strengthen telecommunications resilience in bushfire and disaster prone areas.
Telstra Regional General Manager Boyd Brown said Telstra had a comprehensive plan for providing back-up power to the mobile network during an emergency.
Mr Brown said that when the AC mains power was shut down during an emergency, Telstra technicians provided and monitored alternative power sources to mobile sites when it was deemed safe to enter the area.
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
