What’s happening?
Federal Member for Bowman, Henry Pike MP, has launched a campaign to strengthen mobile network infrastructure across the Redlands following significant outages during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Mr Pike is urging residents to provide data on mobile reception failures during the cyclone to bolster his advocacy for vital telecommunications upgrades.
Why it matters?
The collapse of mobile networks during Cyclone Alfred demonstrated a critical vulnerability in disaster preparedness and response. Communication breakdowns severely impacted residents’ ability to contact emergency services, stay informed, and ensure the safety of loved ones.
Local Impact
The network outages during Cyclone Alfred left many Redlands residents unable to communicate at a crucial time, heightening panic and confusion. Some communities are still experiencing reduced mobile coverage compared to pre-cyclone conditions.
By the numbers:
- 41 local mobile upgrades have occurred in the Redlands in recent years, indicating ongoing but incomplete progress.
- Many suburbs have reported consistently poor mobile reception as a top community concern since Mr Pike’s election in 2022.
- Tropical Cyclone Alfred significantly disrupted emergency communications, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities that could potentially lead to life-threatening situations.
Zoom In
Henry Pike emphasised the severity of the situation, stating, “Losing access to mobile reception during Cyclone Alfred is more than an inconvenience. It’s a serious failure.” He also highlighted the dire risks involved, noting, “If this disaster had been a bushfire racing down Mt Cotton or spreading across our islands, lives could have easily been lost.”
Zoom Out
The issue of reliable mobile coverage is a long-standing concern within the Redlands community, intensified by the recent cyclone disaster. Mr Pike is leveraging community support to drive policy changes and infrastructure improvements through engagement with telecommunications companies and the Federal Government.
What To Look For Next?
Mr Pike’s office will collect evidence and community testimonials regarding mobile network failures during Cyclone Alfred. The data gathered will be instrumental in discussions with telecommunications providers and federal authorities, aiming for targeted upgrades to ensure robust, reliable, and disaster-resilient mobile coverage for the future.
You can assist Mr Pike’s efforts by filling out his mobile resilience survey at henrypike.com.au/mobile_resilience.
