Politics & Council
10 February, 2024
Cost shifting? Council cash helps, says Telstra
COUNCILS could fund new telco towers to boost mobile phone signals and reduce blackspots. A Telstra spokesman said local councils would often commit to partially funding a new tower, along with investment from Telstra and the Federal Government. But...
COUNCILS could fund new telco towers to boost mobile phone signals and reduce blackspots.
A Telstra spokesman said local councils would often commit to partially funding a new tower, along with investment from Telstra and the Federal Government.
But Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt said this week councils “should stick to the knitting and deliver services they are directly responsible for”.
“Councils should not be distracted by other areas that are a responsibility of someone else.”
Cr Holt has previously highlighted instances were governments have shifted funding responsibility onto local government.
The State Government caps the annual rate increases for Victorian councils. Last year’s resident shire satisfaction surveys highlighted roads as a major issue for Loddon communities.
Mallee MP Anne Webster last week said residents unhappy with connectivity could speak to stakeholders, including the council.
Laanecoorie residents have told the Loddon Herald phone and data services are shocking “if any sort of load is put on the area like caravan park on weekends” while Wehla resident Stacey McCoy said she had been told she lived in “‘technical blackhole”.