General News
19 April, 2026
CONSIGNED TO THE ‘TOO HARD BASKET’
A NOTORIOUS Loddon connectivity blackspot could be further hit when Telstra cuts interest services on its copper telephone network in November.
A NOTORIOUS Loddon connectivity blackspot could be further hit when Telstra cuts interest services on its copper telephone network in November.
Newbridge residents Rose and Steven Briscoe fear the change will be another blow for the town.
“Over the last year the mobile coverage has not improved, the ADSL landline is about the same but the ADSL internet has become useless,” said Rose.
“I was on a Zoom meeting the other Friday evening and it dropped out four times in two hours.”
Rose and Steven said promises of better connectivity over the past decade has never been delivered. “We feel our town has been put in the too hard basket. It’s wrong,” they said.
Rose said: “The issue I have is as of November Newbridge will have no landlines on ADSL and extremely limited if any mobile coverage if the electricity is down.
“We are in a high flood and fire area with a high elderly population who depend on a reasonable communication system.”
Telstra says ADSL technology is nearing the end of its life and was “continuing to explore options to improve the connectivity in the area”.
A spokesperson said ADSL services in the district are still operating and “we’ll be working directly with customers to make sure they understand their options well ahead of the planned ADSL exit in November”.
Telstra says fixed and mobile services rely on power, so during extended power outages, services can be impacted.
“Most of our sites have backup power systems which are designed to keep as many services running for as long as possible, but network sites can use as much electricity as up to ten homes each day, so prolonged outages will inevitably cause disruptions. “Over the past two years, we’ve reviewed services in the district through network assessments, customer engagement and broader planning work to understand demand, reliability and future needs.
“That includes looking at fixed, mobile and wireless options, not just one technology in isolation.
“We are continuing to explore options to improve the connectivity in the area.”
The Briscoes said the latest decision by Telstra followed a reversal of a State Government promise to improve connectivity in the district. But a town meeting in late 2024 was told the commitment had been ditched.
A representative from the office of Ripon MP Martha Haylett delivered the bad news. Ms Haylett said a pledge to improve mobile phone services had been made on coverage maps that had proven inaccurate.
Rose said the the only solutions from Telstra to the latest setback “came with a significant cost to me ... we are both on pensions.”
Loddon Shire produced a Telstra Connectivity Plan in 2024 that CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said was an internal working document for use by council and the Telstra Regional Team.
“The Plan was formulated at the time to highlight black spot areas, and to provide community information and consultation,” he said. “To achieve this actions such as visits by the Telstra truck and Telstra representatives to townships and community consultations in 2024 and 2025.”
Rose and Steve said despite promises and plans, Telstra was not providing “the basic service.”
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