By Mikayla van Loon
As the battle for better telecommunications in the Yarra Ranges continues to mosey along, the guarantee of two new mobile coverage towers in Lilydale and Emerald have been met with mixed feelings.
The second round of the Federal Government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) approved 47 mobile tower infrastructure projects across the country, including 12 in the outer fringe of Melbourne and a further four in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
Funding of $40.9 million was allocated to the program for this second round which aims to improve mobile connectivity in bushfire and other natural disaster-prone areas.
Telecommunications infrastructure company Waveconn was the successful applicant for the Lilydale tower which will carry TPG services, while Amplitel was successful in its application of a tower at Chandler Recreation Reserve in Emerald and will carry Telstra and TPG.
While nine sites will be dual carrier locations, the remaining 38 sites will be required to offer co-location where feasible.
“Reliable connectivity and mobile coverage can be the difference between life and death during emergencies,” communications minister Michelle Rowland said.
“We know these projects are complex and can take the industry years to deliver to people on the ground. Bringing forward funding under PUMP Round 2 is a real win for communities who will get the investment they need to stay connected sooner.”
Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi said although he welcomed the infrastructure for his electorate, areas in great need, like the Dandenong Ranges and the Upper Yarra, once again missed out.
“I have spent the past two and a half years advocating for improved telecommunications in our community and have worked collaboratively across the political aisle with the Minister for Communications, making sure Casey was not overlooked,” Mr Violi said.
“This comes after our community was overlooked in the Albanese Labor Government’s recent round of Mobile Black Spot funding, where the government chose 40 Labor-held electorates out of the total 54 locations.
“It is fantastic that Lilydale and surrounds will benefit from improved telecommunications coverage, however, it comes with disappointment that many townships with dangerous black spots in the Dandenong Ranges and Upper Yarra have once again been overlooked. I will continue fighting for the telecommunications coverage we deserve, right across our electorate.”
Across the border in La Trobe, Federal MP Jason Wood said this was a great outcome for residents in Emerald and he hoped this was just the beginning of enhanced reception for the electorate and further into the Hills.
“It’s fantastic to see Emerald benefitting from better reception, which will greatly enhance daily communication and safety,” he said.
“It’s crucial that the government has consulted with the local community regarding the location of new towers to ensure minimal disruption and maximum benefit.
“Especially during power outages, it’s critical for Hills residents to have access to internet and phone reception to ensure communication and safety messages are effectively conveyed.”
As the effort to improve telecommunications across the country becomes collaborative between State and Federal Governments, as well as with telco companies, Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said headway in the space was being achieved.
While telecommunications falls under the responsibility of the Federal Government, the State has embarked on 1200 mobile projects and 150 broadband projects under the Connecting Victoria initiative.
So far in the Yarra Ranges, 14 mobile projects have been completed from Kilsyth to Badger Creek and Toolangi to Millgrove. A further 58 mobile projects are in progress.
In Cardinia, 19 mobile and broadband projects have been completed, while 17 are in progress.
Connecting Victoria projects will be delivered by mid-2026, with many set to be completed much sooner.
“The Commonwealth is responsible for telecommunications services in Australia, and it’s great to see investment in our community through the new tower for Emerald, which will vastly improve mobile connectivity in the area,” Ms De Martino said.
“Mobile coverage across the hills is gradually improving through programs such as PUMP, as well as the Victorian Government’s Connecting Victoria program, and I will continue my advocacy regarding increasing the resilience of mobile towers during emergencies which result in prolonged power outages.”
