Media Release - Peri urban communities ask, can I get a signal?

PUCV in Canberra (left to right)
Cr Kate Wilson, Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Council
Cr Libby Stapleton, Mayor of Surf Coast Shire Council
Cr Moira Berry. Moorabool Shire Council, Chair of PUCV
Cr Owen Sharkey, Deputy Chair and Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Council

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) have raised the critical issue of black and grey telecommunication spots with federal members of parliament in Canberra as part of discussion on the alliance’s budget priorities.

PUCV Chair Cr Moira Berry said the conversations on improving digital connections for communities on the urban fringe were timely as the Albanese Government had recently announced a new national emergency warning system AusAlert.

“Grey spots are now widespread in peri-urban Victoria, the result of infrastructure that has not kept up with sustained population growth and strains under seasonal populations growth that can double or triple in peak seasons,” Cr Berry said.

“The new AusAlert national warning system must be designed to accommodate the risks of grey and black telecommunication and digital spots or some of our communities are at risk of completely missing important warnings.” Cr Berry said.

The urgency of this issue was brought to life during the recent flash floods in Wye River this January, when community members and holiday-makers reported failed call attempts, dropouts, unusable mobile data and delayed or failed VicEmergency notifications.

“This summer showed us, again, that lives and livelihoods depend on reliable digital and telecommunications connectivity, this is no longer optional infrastructure, it is essential for every community across the country,” Cr Berry said.

“Peri urban Victoria is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.  Addressing digital and telecommunication gaps protects communities and gives confidence to tourism, agriculture, retail, remote workers and small business confidence,” she said.

“We know the government is targeting some of these issues with the Universal Service Obligations legislation that will be before parliament this year,” she said

“Now we have the twin objectives of making sure this legislation can deliver on the government’s new warning system and we will be making sure the government understands this issue from recent events,” Cr Berry concluded

PUCV’s 2026-27 Pre-Budget submission makes the following recommendations:

• Formally recognise telecommunications as essential national infrastructure

  Telecommunications is still not formally recognised as essential infrastructure equivalent to water, energy or transport and as a result, resilience standards lag, investment lags behind growth and grey spots remain under-recognised in national programs.

• Continue and expand targeted peri‑urban mobile investment programs

  Current funding frameworks do not adequately address peri-urban reliability gaps. There is a specific need to recognise and address grey spots, not just black spots.

More information on the Peri Urban Councils Victoria Pre-Budget Submission can be found below