UPDATE: Hawkesbury City Council’s failure to secure funding for a crucial mobile phone tower has left bushfire-prone communities at risk, sparking outrage among residents. The Council received funding under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program in July 2021 but has returned the funds without completing the project, leaving areas like Berambing and Upper Macdonald vulnerable.
The mobile tower’s approval was granted on April 17, 2025, but the council missed a critical deadline, resulting in the loss of federal funding by March 30, 2025. Community members learned of this setback just last week from the agency contracted by Telstra to build the tower.
The Mt Tomah Berambing Community Association expressed deep frustration over the bureaucratic delays. “We are appalled to discover that the delay has resulted in the loss of the Federal funds allocated for its construction,” said Peter Milne, public officer of the association. “Mobile coverage is currently unreliable to non-existent, making communication during emergencies nearly impossible.”
During the devastating 2019–20 bushfires, residents in Berambing and Mt Tomah faced severe communication barriers, often cut off from essential services and warnings. The proposed Berambing tower was intended to provide vital coverage along the Bells Line of Road, a lifeline for locals during disasters.
Despite the Council’s planning report stating that the tower would “ensure sufficient mobile coverage during a potential natural disaster,” the project is now in limbo. With no replacement funding identified, the future of this critical infrastructure remains uncertain. In stark contrast, the Blue Mountains City Council has successfully constructed a mobile tower at Mt Tomah, improving connectivity in the area.
Local business leaders and community groups are calling for accountability. “The Black Summer grants were meant to ensure we never lose communication in emergencies again,” said Marg Tadrosse, President of the Bells Line of Road Business Council. “Instead, we have red tape, missed deadlines, and no essential communication tower. Right now, there are black spots along BLOR Road where we can’t even call 000. That is unacceptable.”
The need for this communication tower is underscored by past tragedies. On December 15, 2019, during similar weather conditions, the NSW Rural Fire Service received requests for emergency warnings that went unheeded, resulting in destruction and loss of life. Residents like Lionel Buckett and Anna Erasmus recount harrowing experiences of being trapped without warnings as fires engulfed their homes.
This communication tower was one of the few proactive measures the Hawkesbury Council had committed to following the Black Summer fires. Yet, with ongoing delays and a lack of funding, residents fear they are once again left vulnerable.
A spokesperson for Hawkesbury Council stated they are “working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency” to secure funding for the tower. Meanwhile, community members are urging federal representatives, including Susan Templeman, to take immediate action to restore or replace the lost funds.
As frustration mounts among residents, the lack of reliable communication remains a critical gap in disaster preparedness for this region. The situation continues to develop, and further updates are expected as communities push for accountability and action.
Stay informed as we follow this urgent issue impacting the safety and resilience of the Hawkesbury region.
