When drivers travelling between Wellington and Mudgee on Sunday were delayed and diverted by a fatal accident near Goolma, many did what has become natural in such times.
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They reached for their mobile pones – either to contact emergency services or to advise those waiting for them that they would be late.
Lack of phone service only added to the frustration of the delay and prospect of a long detour on a rainy night.
Goolma’s black spot was recognised as far back as 2008, when Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, speaking in federal parliament, identified the village as an area with poor mobile phone coverage.
At least two serious accidents near Goolma in the past few months have confirmed residents’ concerns about the lack of coverage in the area in the event of emergency.
A mobile phone tower scheduled to be erected in the second half of this year should improve mobile coverage between Mudgee and Wellington. Funding also also been allocated to improve services at Grattai, Lue, Windeyer and Capertee and along the Castlereagh Highway at Ilford.
However, while welcome, these measures fall far short of eliminating mobile black spots in the Mid-Western Region and nearby areas.
A 2015 survey by the NSW Farmers’ Association identified numerous black spots in and around the region including: the Bylong Valley to the outskirts of Rylstone; Mudgee to Hill End via Hargraves; parts of Glen Alice from Bogee to Glen Davis; the Golden Highway east and west of Dunedoo; Coolah to Cassilis; Cobbora; Ulan Road at Turill; Burrundulla; Mendooran, Tooraweenah and Baradine.
With 6000 mobile black spots across Australia nominated for $100 million in National Black Spot funding, it is likely to be a long wait for better service in these areas.
Mobile phones are no longer a luxury, especially in regional areas. They are essential not only in emergencies, but also for personal and business use, information, and day-to-day tasks such as bill paying.
If the Mid-Western Region is to compete with other areas in business and tourism and continue to attract new residents, it is essential to address the problem of mobile black spots, as well as the capacity of the mobile network to cope with increasing demand in those areas lucky enough to have an adequate service.