Salmon Holes mobile blackspot still a work in progress

O’Connor MP Rick Wilson has been unable to fix Salmon Holes mobile reception after the site was first identified in the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot program four years ago.

Mr Wilson said the initial mobile tower site proposed by the Commonwealth was rejected by the State due to its visual impact.

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesperson said they did not think the benefits of a new base station outweighed its significant impacts on visual amenity and nature conservation values in the Torndirrup National Park.

Mr Wilson has put together a task force to ensure solutions are found.

“This task force has been very successful over the last few months in opening communication between all parties,” he said.

The notorious rock fishing site near Albany has recorded 13 fatalities in the past four decades. However, the area is a mobile phone blackspot.

A State Government spokesman said Telstra together with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions had recently tested a cell-fi booster, and were working on a “small cell” option to improve mobile connection in the area.