By Geoff Vivian | posted on August 24, 2017
ELLEKER residents are now able to use their mobile phones after a new local phone tower was switched on last Friday.
Elleker store’s acting manager, Kylie Carter, said the service was working well.
“I live locally myself, so whereas before I couldn’t get phone service in the house, I can now walk around the house and sit out the back and I’m getting phone coverage,” she said.
Ms Carter said as a volunteer firefighter she was now receiving instant updates on fire conditions.
“They are coming through quite promptly now on the mobile,” she said.
“We just need better internet access now.”
Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said the tower had been delivered under the government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
“It’s fantastic to see a tower come online in Elleker, where the community has been crying out for better mobile coverage,” he said.
“Reception has been extremely patchy or nonexistent in the town and the residents have consistently told me it’s one of their biggest concerns.”
Mr Wilson said recent bushfires near the town had been a stark reminder of how important adequate coverage was in times of emergency.
“I’m extremely pleased we’ve been able to deliver this for the community,” he said.
“After some frustrating delays over contractual and planning issues, the Mobile Black Spot Program is really starting to gain traction and Telstra are doing a good job in ramping it up.”
He said another 36 towers would be completed and ready for service in O’Connor by the end of this year.
