Mobile upgrade for Salmon Holes

Notorious fishing spot Salmon Holes is one of 30 Great Southern areas to receive upgraded or new mobile base stations - after nearly 15 years of campaigning by rescue volunteers.

Salmon Holes was earmarked for the new stations, part of the Federal Government's $100 million Mobile Black Spot Program.

Albany Sea Rescue Squad boat captain Chris Johns said the group had been pushing for improved mobile coverage at the remote location since 2001. Mr Johns said it currently takes up to 30 minutes for a witness to make the call for assistance to emergency services.

He said rescue response times once their vessel was in the water had improved by 70 minutes.

"The problem is it's a remote location, and a witness who sees (someone) fall in the water, for instance, has to leave the scene … and get to an area where they can get mobile reception or a phone call out," he said.

"If they're standing on the rock - there's always that period of panic - it might be 10 minutes before they decide to do something, then they have to go along the beach, up the stairs and then, depending on which carrier they are with .... sometimes they have to go further down the road.

"They've already lost 10 to 15 minutes in that initial 'what to do' period, then they have to go up the stairs - that's 30 (minutes) gone. "(Mobile coverage) can make a difference - it's not necessarily going to save every life, but it will substantially increase our chances."

Telstra area general manager Boyd Brown said construction would begin in some areas this year, but those in national parks, such as Salmon Holes, would take additional planning.

Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said 133 of 177 mobile black spots nominated in his electorate were successful in gaining funds for upgrades.

Other areas in the latest announcement included Elleker, Kalgan, Manypeaks, Narrikup, Nornalup, Ocean Beach, Tindale Road, and Perrilup.