A WA parliamentary question highlights the lack of mobile coverage on Brand Highway between Geraldton and Dongara, raising concerns about emergency communication. The government acknowledges the issue and is investigating solutions, including discussions with the federal government.

AnsweredQoN 492Legislative Council
Asked
27 May 2008
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier

QuestionView source ↗

BRAND HIGHWAY — MOBILE TELEPHONE COVERAGE
Given the lack of mobile telephone coverage on Brand Highway between Geraldton and Dongara and the recent road crashes on that stretch of road — (1) Does the Premier think it is acceptable that motorists on one of Western Australia’s key transport routes should be unable to call for help in the event of an emergency? (2) What pressure is the Premier applying to the federal government to ensure a telephone signal along the entire route? (3) Is the state government prepared to fund or part-fund technology to ensure a signal along the entire route? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Wendy Duncan for providing some notice of the question. (1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
(1) Does the Premier think it is acceptable that motorists on one of Western Australia’s key transport routes should be unable to call for help in the event of an emergency? (2) What pressure is the Premier applying to the federal government to ensure a telephone signal along the entire route? (3) Is the state government prepared to fund or part-fund technology to ensure a signal along the entire route? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Wendy Duncan for providing some notice of the question. (1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
(2) What pressure is the Premier applying to the federal government to ensure a telephone signal along the entire route? (3) Is the state government prepared to fund or part-fund technology to ensure a signal along the entire route? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Wendy Duncan for providing some notice of the question. (1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
(3) Is the state government prepared to fund or part-fund technology to ensure a signal along the entire route? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Wendy Duncan for providing some notice of the question. (1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Wendy Duncan for providing some notice of the question. (1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
I thank Hon Wendy Duncan for providing some notice of the question. (1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
(1) No, it is not acceptable. I recently had my own experience of trying to make a call on that stretch of highway. It was not until Dongara was well and truly visible that I was able to get any kind of signal at all. It was certainly very, very poor. (2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.
(2)-(3) The state government is investigating solutions and will raise these with the commonwealth government. We are discussing a range of issues. Certainly that stretch of the highway is very poor indeed.

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