NO more standing on top of utes with a mobile phone in an outstretched hand — residents in the small town of Lalbert have a new phone tower.
Installation of the tower began at Lalbert’s Main Street telephone exchange on Wednesday, two months ahead of the anticipated completion date, but two decades after the small community started campaigning for one.
Part of the first roll out of Telstra’s national Mobile Blackspot Programme, locals said the new 36 metre tall landmark would ensure a safer, more modern Lalbert.
Yesterday Telstra confirmed that further work and testing would take place before the tower was activated.
“We understand the anticipation locals have about mobile coverage in their area and we look forward to soon delivering expanded coverage to Lalbert,” a Telstra spokesperson said.
Lalbert resident Sally Meehan said the outcome was one the small community had been waiting for since the mid 1990s.
“No more standing on the back of a ute or balancing the phone on a windowsill when the breeze is right … it’s going to be great to be with the rest of the world,” she said.
“The kids are going to love it and it will be much cheaper for us with mobile-to-mobile free calls.
“For 20 years we’ve been pushing for it.”
Ms Meehan noted ex-local federal politician John Forrest’s involvement in delivering the tower.
She said the previous Member for Mallee campaigned to improve phone reception in Lalbert.
However, Ms Meehan joked the tower was a “mixed blessing” for locals in the town, who at the 2011 census numbered just over 200.
“It’s convenient when people ask for your mobile number and you say there’s no reception,” she said.
“Especially for my husband — it’s nice for him to get home from work and not be contactable.”
Farmers and firefighters welcomed the news, too.
Lalbert fire brigade’s Lyle Fox said better reception would help fire fighters communicate between vehicles while farmer Frances Mullan said it would give her peace of mind when her husband was farming in the outer paddocks.
Janine McFarlane from the Lalbert fuel depot said life in Lalbert would improve for residents running businesses like herself, and also those passing through the town.
“The young ones use mobiles, they don’t think of using landlines. We get half-way to Swan Hill, check the phone and there are work messages,” she said.
“A lot of truckies go through here and gee, they’re going to find it better.
“We’ll see when it gets turned on but it really is good (and) it will make it easier for everyone.”
Both Chinkapook and Patchewollock are set to receive phone tower upgrades under the next Telstra roll-out, although no installation dates have been released.
