Brushes with Death in the Bush as Digital Gap Persists
A recent storm in Victoria highlights the urgent need for better communication in rural areas
Victoria, Gippsland, Telecommunications, Emergency Services, Digital Divide
Victoria: The aftermath of a wild storm felt like a scene from a disaster flick. Huge eucalypt trees were scattered everywhere, and many folks were left without power.
This crazy weather, which some called a mini tornado, hit Gippsland in February. Sadly, it took the life of a farmer in Mirboo North.
With power and phone lines down, people were really struggling. One vision-impaired resident was stuck for four days without help.
This person shared their story with the federal government’s Regional Telecommunications Review committee, asking for better communication and power options during emergencies.
They were shocked that only one person died, given how many close calls there were during the tornado.
The committee just released its report, noting that while internet services have gotten better in the bush, a digital gap still exists.
This gap is especially noticeable in rural areas and small First Nations communities, where reliable and affordable telecommunications are hard to come by.
“Access to dependable telecommunications is not a luxury but a necessity,” the report emphasized.
Despite investments and tech improvements, many communities still face significant challenges and don’t know what options are available to them.
The national review, which happens every three years, got a whopping 3,404 submissions this time, a huge jump from the last review.
The storm also knocked down transmission towers across Victoria. There were stories of a woman in Western Australia who had to leave her dying husband just to call for help.
Others shared tales of injured people unable to get medical assistance in remote spots and a retirement village with 300 residents struggling with poor reception.
The committee pointed out that disaster resilience is a major issue we need to tackle.
Among their 14 recommendations were calls for better power back-ups and more community connectivity hubs with satellite WiFi and independent power sources.
They also suggested stronger consumer protections, affordable plans for remote areas, and more digital literacy programs.
The government was urged to speed up the modernization of the Universal Service Obligation, ensuring all Australians can access voice-capable broadband services.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated that every Australian deserves fast, reliable, and affordable connectivity.
She acknowledged that rural, regional, remote, and First Nations communities face unique challenges compared to those in cities.