The Advocate is counting down the top 10 most read stories of 2016. Here’s what came in at number 10:
March 2, 2016: A Kojonup veterinarian is calling on Avon Valley residents to join her fight for increased funding to improve mobile phone black spots after her partner was tragically killed.
Katharine Marsh is spearheading a petition aimed at the Federal government to increase mobile phone black spot funding and commit to a deadline to rectify currently identified locations.
“I am campaigning for this issue after my partner, Mick, tragically passed away following a motorbike accident which occurred in a mobile phone black spot, delaying emergency assistance for 20 – 30 minutes,” Miss Marsh said.
“Mick’s accident highlighted that one cannot dial ‘000’ or ‘112’ and reach emergency services in a mobile phone black spot. I had previously taken it for granted that ‘000’ was available throughout Australia with or without mobile coverage.”
“My experience is not an isolated incident - others have been affected in a similar way. Recent bushfires in late 2015 - early 2016 have also highlighted the problems of mobile phone black spots preventing access to emergency services.”
There are more than 6000 nominated mobile phone black spots throughout Australia, including near capital cities, along major highways and transport routes and in whole towns and villages.
There are 570 black spot locations in WA including Meenar, Northam, Southern Brook, Quairading York Road, Tammin, Ucarty West, Goomalling-Toodyay Road in the Avon Valley region.
“If you are faced with a life-threatening emergency and are in a mobile phone black spot area you will not be able to obtain emergency assistance. This could be the difference between life and death,” Miss Marsh said.
“The technology exists to eradicate mobile phone black spots – it is simply a matter of further funding.”
The Federal Government has committed $160 million, with the Round 2 locations expected to be announced at the end of this year.
“After this current round, there are no further plans for funding for mobile phone black spots, yet current funding is like to leave at least 1000 black spots still unaddressed,” Miss Marsh said.
“If mobile phone black spots in your area miss out this time there is no guarantee as to when they will be resolved.”
Miss Marsh is aiming to collect 100,000 signatures by April 30 to send to the Standing Committee on Petitions for presentation to the Australian parliament.
To download the petition visit: http://triple0foraustralia.wix.com/triple0foraustralia or https://www.facebook.com/triple0foraustralia/
