The Nationals’ Melina Bath has called out Labor over poor digital connectivity in Fish Creek in state parliament after a Country Fire Authority veteran wrote to her expressing his concerns.
Ms Bath said Ray Poletti, a volunteer with over 55 years of experience in the Fish Creek fire brigade, expressed his serious concerns that locals are unable to contact him about fire brigade business due to the town’s poor telephone reception.
“The issues include devices unable to connect to a signal strong enough to make calls or receive messages, to the delivery of messages and data taking hours once sent.
“With summer and bushfire season on our doorstep – it’s unacceptable for country towns not to have access to a reliable telecommunications service.”
Ms Bath’s question came after the Victorian Minister for Government Services, Gabrielle Williams recently spruiked, “the Allan Labor Government is delivering more than 1,200 mobile projects and 150 broadband projects across the state, ensuring Victorians can connect with loved ones, the community and essential services – especially during emergencies.”
“Labor must commit to Fish Creek being included as part of these network upgrades given its ongoing digital communications issues,” said Ms Bath.
“Regional communities should not be left exposed by unaddressed mobile blackspots and poor connectivity.
“Victoria’s emergency management system is reliant on mobile technology – if the local CFA cannot send or receive messages in a timely manner, how on earth will the Allan Labor Government communicate to keep Fish Creek residents safe in the event of an emergency?”
Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said, “Ray is just one of many people who have raised the poor mobile service in and around Fish Creek with me.
“While telecommunications is the responsibility of the Commonwealth, the recent state government subsidy program has put more emphasis on the city while country communities like Fish Creek have missed out.”
