Tasman residents tackle poor connectivity

Tasman residents, businesses and key stakeholders are being urged to attend a public meeting to discuss the dire state of the region’s internet and mobile phone coverage.

Tasman Mayor Rod Macdonald said the meeting will provide a platform for the community to voice their concerns and explore potential solutions to improve connectivity in the Tasman region.

Key Federal and State political representatives and telecommunications providers have been invited to attend and speak at the meeting. 

The meeting will be held on Tuesday February 25 from 5 to 7 pm at the Taranna Community Centre.

The meeting will feature first-hand accounts from local business owners, emergency services volunteers and residents who have been directly impacted by unreliable communication services.

Mr Macdonald said these challenges have affected economic growth, emergency response capabilities and everyday connectivity in the region. 

``Reliable internet and mobile coverage are no longer luxuries—they are necessities. Our businesses, emergency services and everyday communications depend on these services”, he said.

``The Tasman region has been badly let down by failures in policy and the provision of inadequate communications services. 

``We are a major tourism destination in Tasmania and the negative impact on this industry generally, as well as our local services providers, is devastating.’’

Connectivity is impacted by cruise ship visits to Port Arthur. With up to 3000 passengers on board, the impact they have when they arrive and switch on their phones causes chaos to local telecommunication services.

Meanwhile, Tasman has a new councillor. Mr Steve McQueeney has been elected this week in the by-election.