By Kath Gannaway
Steels Creek community is mobile, and connected.
The Steels Creek mobile communications tower was officially launched on Saturday 21 August, by Federal Government Communications Minister Senator Mitch Fifield.
Community members joined the minister, Casey MP Tony Smith, Telstra’s Acting Area General Manager for Eastern Victoria Wendy Duff and Yarra Ranges Council’s Ryrie Ward representative Cr Fiona McAllister for the launch.
The tower, located on a high point on private property is funded under the government’s Mobile Blackspot Program to expand and improve 3G and 4G mobile coverage in rural and regional areas.
Communication was a key issue following the Black Saturday bushfires in terms of how the breakdown in communication impacted on the Steels Creek community on that February day, and in the weeks, months and years following.
Mr Fifield said the Coalition came into government in 2013 committed to fixing mobile black spots around the country and had invested $220 million in the program.
“Since the day I became minister, Tony Smith has been in my ear to get the Steels Creek mobile tower build as quickly as possible,” he said.
“I’m happy to say, that not only is Steels Creek now enjoying mobile coverage, but East Warburton, McMahon’s Creek and Reefton will also benefit from the Mobile Black Spot program in Casey.”
Mr Smith said he was thrilled for the Steels Creek community as the recipient of the first mobile phone tower in the area funded by the program.
“Now the tower is switched on, many residents who had little or no coverage are now connected,” he said.
“Steels Creek is now a safer community for residents and tourists. Local businesses will also benefit greatly from increased mobile phone reception thanks to the tower.”
Ms Duff said Steels Creek is one of 577 black spot towers to be rolled out over the next couple of years.
“It was really great to see so many of the community turn out,” she said.
“The overarching feeling I got was of a community that is really strong in itself, really engaged with their community needs and wants and really excited to see the next stage of community life,” she said.
She said speaking to community members reinforced that nearly nine years after the 2009 bushfires having 3G and 4G communications made them feel a lot safer.
“But they also spoke about the future of the community,” Ms Duff said.
“They spoke about the benfits of kids being able to study and of them being able to access information on a nightly basis, so there is the security, and how they are moving forward as well.”
Ms Duff said the location of the tower overlooking the majority of the community, and the community centre dealt with some of the tricky aspects of the topography of Steels Creek and would make a real difference to how Steels Creek residents led their lives.
“Visitors to the area, which is obviously a great tourist location with all the wonderful wine and produce, will also benefit,” she said.
Steels Creek Community Association past president Allan Giffard said the tower was a good outcome for the Steels Creek community.
“One of the most encouraging things as a community was that it was a collaboration between the local community, Yarra Ranges Council and the State and Federal governments.
“To enable that to happen you need someone to drive that and Tony (Smith) was the driving force in ensuring everyone was on the same page to enable this to happen as quickly as possible,” he said.
He said access to 3G and 4G communication would provide peace of mind.
“Certainly safety is important, but so is peace of mind,” he said.
“Knowing we now have communications available, that in itself is just as important as everything else.”
