THE Mallee emerged largely victorious in its plight for improved mobile phone signal last week, but it was not to be for one tiny New South Wales community.
More than 260 of 357 locations nominated in the Wimmera and Mallee areas are set to receive a boost in signal availability in their area, with upgrades and installation of 22 telecommunications base stations planned under the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspot Programme.
They included Berriwillock, Lalbert and Quambatook — all of which currently find mobile phone service severely lacking.
But it was not all good news.
A relentless campaign from the tiny remote communities of Clare and Hatfield — with support from the New South Wales Government and Cristal Mining, who is set to build a mine in the area — did not see any commitments in the first round of funding.
Local advocate Claire Butler confirmed the community, located nearly two hours north of Balranald, would not be deterred from applying for the next round.
“Whilst I am really disappointed that we were not included in this round, I am hopeful that the second round will be more considerate of our remote area,” she said.
