Telstra boost for Bilpin communications means locals able to flick the switch to keep talking

Communications is one of the first services to be hit hard when bushfires sweep through, as Bilpin residents know only too well after they lost the ability to talk to each other and the RFS during the Black Summer Bushfires during a true life-threatening situation.

But today – after a major community push and with Macquarie MP Susan Templeman fighting hard alongside them – Telstra will launch a pilot program which means Bilpin residents will be able to continue communicating, even during a power failure.

If the pilot is successful, and there is no reason why it won’t be, it will be progressively rolled out to other rural areas.

“This is the culmination of many years of fighting by the Bilpin community, and I’ve been proud to be their voice in Parliament and with Telstra during this journey,” Ms Templeman said.

“Under this program, an authorised person who lives in the local community can flick the switch to start up the generator that keeps power going to the communications tower when the mains go down,” said the MP.

Previously, back-up power at the Bilpin comms tower was only available for 14 hours from a battery before communications went down altogether, and a Telstra technician was required to come and restore it – clearly far from ideal in the middle of a bushfire emergency.

Indeed, during emergencies like the Black Summer bushfires when the entire area was considered a hot spot, technicians weren’t allowed in for safety reasons, leaving locals without communications once the battery ran out.

“After many discussions with Telstra, and a visit here two years ago after the Black Summer fires, I’m really pleased to see they have a solution to trial, based on the information they received from us,” said Ms Templeman.

Bilpin area residents, Telstra representatives and seated, BRAG President Penny McKinlay (left) and MP Susan Templeman

“It means someone who lives in the area will be able to come and switch on the generator if the mains power is off for an extended period of time before the battery runs out. That will keep power flowing to the tower, and locals will still be able to operate their phones.

“It’s a huge win for the community on an issue I have been fighting for alongside them since coming to Parliament in 2016.”

Penny McKinlay, President of Bilpin Region Advancement Group, told the Post the news was very welcome. Alongside Ms Templeman, BRAG have worked tirelessly to improve the communications situation in Bilpin region, and they’ve been helped by Bilpin’s own IT expert, Martin Graham of Renegade Tech.

“BRAG has been advocating hard for our community to help address this critical safety issue around communications,” Mrs McKinlay said.

“The number one issue identified in our community consultations was for a stable telecommunications system that could function as it should on a regular basis, but most importantly in the event of a power outage, and supply continuity of service during natural disasters including bushfire events and storms.

“Countless meetings, letters and representations later, we are very happy that the Bilpin Telstra tower has been selected as part of a NSW first trial whereby a remote switching generator will be installed,” Mrs McKinlay said.

“In the event of a disaster which results in power cuts we will maintain mobile phone coverage and internet service which will be an actual lifesaver.”

“Which goes to show how, as is often the case, our community steps up and steps in to offer solutions to get the job done.”

Ms Templeman has been with the community all the way, and she added today, “Convincing Telstra to replace the old, eight-hour back-up battery with the new 14-hour model in February 2020 was one step, but this is a significant leap in keeping the community connected.

“Residents, including people with a deep understanding of telecommunications like Marty Graham, have been very patient in working through the concerns that Telstra had about trialling this program.

“I thank the community for their persistence and Telstra for listening to the community’s concerns, and I will continue to take the fight for 21st Century communications in the area to both the Federal Government and telcos in the future.,” said the MP.

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