IN a first world country like Australia it is reasonable to expect in most areas you would have sufficient mobile phone coverage to go about your business and to call for help in an emergency.
For residents in Salamander Estate, Nambucca Heads, this expectation is not being met and they say their phone services are more like those in a third world country.
Last week a group of angry Salamander Estate locals spoke to News Of The Area about an issue they say is putting lives at risk.
Mr Peter O’Neil detailed a problem evident in this part of town for at least ten to twelve years.
Mr O’Neil said, “If you want to make a call or a text you have to come out of the house to get a signal.
“The big service providers are happy to sell you their phone plans however will do nothing to fix reception in this area.”
In September this year the issue became critical when Mr O’Neil’s elderly mother Jean required urgent medical attention.
When Ambulance Officers attempted to make calls from inside her house they were unable to.
Jamie and Steven Daily, also residents of Salamander Estate, confirmed the problem was widespread.
Jamie, an Assistant in Nursing, was on the scene when paramedics attended to Mrs O’Neil.
“The Paramedics were aghast when I advised they would have to go outside to use their phones and commented to me that this was an unacceptable safety issue,” Jamie said.
As well as public safety the issue of poor phone reception impacts on the privacy of many Salamander Estate residents.
Jamie went on to say that, “I will often have to stand on my front porch or on the footpath to be able to use my mobile phone and that makes it very hard to discuss confidential matters.”
Peter O’Neil has persistently sought a solution from major service providers and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, all to no avail.
Peter said, “It is now time to galvanise the community and different levels of Government to do something about this infrastructure problem.”
Mr Peter Sobey, an Independent Candidate in the upcoming council elections, paid a visit to the O’Neil’s home to lend his voice in support of getting this issue fixed.
Mr Sobey advised that, “My understanding is that it is a Federal issue however councils may be able to lobby on infrastructure matters.”
Mr Sobey said he has similar issues where he lives in Valla Rural, with the problem only able to be rectified at great personal expense.
News Of The Area can confirm the Nambucca Valley Council has detailed the issue to the Federal Member for Cowper who is yet to provide a specific response.
Mr Steven Daily, a local Taxi Driver, commented that, “This problem also exists in many pockets around Nambucca Heads including the beaches and in some places the phone signal makes it impossible for customers to pay their taxi fare by credit card.”
Mr O’Neil and his neighbours hope going public about this will help get something done.
News Of The Area will keep readers informed on what happens next.
By Mick BIRTLES