MOBILE phone coverage is spreading across the Hawkesbury and will continue, Macquarie federal MP Louise Markus promised on Tuesday of last week.
Mrs Markus and the federal Minister for Major Projects, Paul Fletcher, spoke to local phone campaigners in Kurrajong, one of the villages set to benefit.
East Kurrajong, Mount Tomah, Colo Heights, Bilpin and Blaxlands Ridge are some other areas to be improved.
Colo Heights farmer Clint Jones said mobile phone coverage was about more than keeping in touch with friends.
‘‘It’s 2015, but my farm’s got zero coverage; it’s difficult to run a business without a mobile phone,’’ Mr Jones said.
‘‘It’s a safety concern too; I live in Putty Road, a big road, but what happens if there’s a fire or a flood?’’
He said emergency services and residents would need speedy contact in such situations.
The Macdonald Valley Association president, Wayne Hawkins, said phone coverage in the valley was almost non-existent.
‘‘We suffer floods and bushfires from time to time, so it’s important emergency services are able to get in touch with us,’’ Mr Hawkins said.
‘‘Macdonald Valley is also a major source of tourism in the Hawkesbury.
‘‘People come from Sydney for a Sunday lunch, but may find they can’t get phone service.’’
He said he hoped the area would benefit from the next tranche of mobile tower funding.
Mrs Markus said another $60 million had been committed for the next round of the program, from 2016-18.
‘‘The purpose of the funding is to spread mobile coverage to small communities where there may not be a business case to set it up,’’ she said.
‘‘Areas where there’s little or no coverage, but where safety for road users in emergencies is critical.
‘‘I will continue to advocate for St Albans and other mobile black spots across the electorate of Macquarie.’’
