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A South East South Australian council says it shouldn't have to help pay for phone towers to be placed in its jurisdiction as part of a planned expansion of local mobile coverage.
Key points:
- Telstra says blackspots would be eliminated with its Connect Limestone Coast project
- Naracoorte Lucindale Council has voted against providing funding, as requested by Telstra
- Mayor Patrick Ross says negotiations aren't yet over
Telstra is visiting councils across the South East to discuss a plan to build 27 new phone towers across the region, in a move it hopes will eliminate mobile black spots.
The plan, named Connect Limestone Coast, has the backing of the South East's forestry industry, which has offered to contribute funds if the project goes ahead.
Telstra is also seeking funding from all three levels of government, including a 5 per cent contribution from the region's local councils.
One council — Naracoorte Lucindale — has voted not to contribute to the project, with Mayor Patrick Ross saying elected members did not believe funding telecommunications infrastructure is their "core business".
"There were some proponents who thought it was for the community good that we would have better connectivity," he said.
"Others decided quite strongly that it wasn't council's core business and the money could be better spent elsewhere."
The three towers for the Naracoorte-Lucindale area would be built in Reedy Creek, Coles and Stuart Range.
Mr Ross said the expected contribution for council would have been about $140,000, although the exact figure is unknown.
"It is worrying for the some of the councillors that this could be the thin edge of the wedge and state government or other corporations would be looking for co-contributions," he said.
"Whether it's to do with housing, electrical supply or health, one never knows. Everyone wants more money and everyone's budgets are under some stress."
Mr Ross added the council would listen to alternative proposals from Telstra.
Coverage for 1,800 dwellings
Telstra regional general manager Michael Patterson said building a comprehensive network of mobile towers in one region differed from the company's approach in the past.
"Rather than doing the piecemeal approach of doing one or two sites a year over a longer period of time, we're looking at a large-scale investment where it's a multi-sited single project," Mr Patterson said.
"It's going to improve by about 40 per cent of the landmass ... and about 1,800 new dwellings will get coverage for the first time."
Mr Patterson added there had been other instances around Australia where local government had been prepared to contribute to telecommunications infrastructure.
"It's a scalable and opt-in project," he said.
"We absolutely respect Naracoorte Lucindale Council, but I'm also encouraged that the mayor left the door open for further discussions."
No other councils in the region have committed to contributing funds towards installing phone towers in their jurisdictions yet.
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