Community independent candidate for Cowper Caz Heise has today released analysis showing that Cowper has missed our own critical mobile infrastructure funding, leaving communities disconnected and vulnerable in crises.

The analysis reveals:

• Only six funded base stations have been completed in Cowper over 8 funding rounds to date as part of the Mobile Black Spot Program. 

• 12 were installed in Lyne to the South, 34 in New England to the West, 21 in Page to the north

• Indi, the most comparable rural seat to Cowper that is represented by an Independent, has received 48 additional mobile phone towers -  662% more investment than Cowper

• Cowper is completely missing from the most recent Mobile Black Spot Program - Round 8 project noticeboard 

Source: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Statements attributable to Caz Heise, community independent candidate:

As the independent candidate for Cowper, I wanted to address a pressing concern that many residents are asking: Why does Cowper have so many mobile phone black spots? 

“The short answer is that our local representatives haven’t done the work.”

The Mobile Black Spot Program, introduced in 2013, was designed to improve mobile coverage in regional and remote areas. The program operates through a process where local MPs, councils, and communities identify black spots and advocate for funding by submitting projects through the government’s Project Noticeboard. 

“The system is designed to fund the areas that need it most - but only if local representatives do the work to advocate for their communities.”.

“Unlike in other regions where MPs have fought for investment, our representatives simply haven't done the work. In the most recent grant round (Mobile Black Spot Program Round 8), regional MPs from across Australia have submissions - yet Cowper is noticeable absent”

“The electorate of Indi has received 48 additional mobile phone towers - 662% more than Cowper. The difference? Indi had independent MPs who have worked with the community to develop Regional Connectivity Plan that delivered results. 

Cowper has some of the worst mobile reception in the country - something that comes up everywhere we go. I hear from farmers who can’t make a call on their own property and families struggling with unreliable coverage in the centre of town. 

Even along the Pacific Highway, a critical transport and emergency route, reception drops out in multiple locations, putting drivers at risk. In some towns, even with full bars, you still can’t load a webpage.

“Since 2019, Cowper has endured multiple natural disasters - bushfires, floods, and extreme weather events - that have cut off mobile access when people needed it most. Entire communities have been left without the ability to contact emergency services or check in on loved ones. This is a matter of public safety, and it’s unacceptable.”

“During peak holiday seasons, even with full bars, you can’t open a webpage because there aren’t enough towers to handle the demand. This not only frustrates residents but also hampers tourism and local businesses that rely on consistent mobile connectivity.”

Caz Heise’s Mobile Black Spots Pledge To Cowper

Caz has committed to:

• Fighting for Cowper's fair share of telecommunications funding to ensure mobile black spots across the electorate are addressed.

• Advocating for transparent reporting on mobile black spot funding to track where money is going and why some communities continue to miss out.

• Work with all Councils across Cowper to secure the region’s fair share of mobile infrastructure funding.

• Proactively identifying black spot areas and working with councils and local communities to communities and community groups to  push for proper submissions under the Mobile Black Spot Program.

• Developing a Regional Connectivity Plan, similar to what has been done in Indi, to map black spots, identify key infrastructure priorities, and ensure long-term investment in mobile and internet services. Such plan lead to Indi received 10 times more granted mobile phone towers 2015 than Cowper (Mobile Black Spot Program Round 1).

“Our community deserves better,” Caz said. “That’s why thousands of volunteers are stepping up - demanding stronger, more accountable leadership to ensure our region gets the investment it deserves.”