Bald Hill phone tower extends its reach

Residents of Stanwell Park, Coalcliff and parts of Coledale have gained greater mobile phone coverage following the installation by Telstra Countrywide of omni-directional panels on the phone tower at Bald Hill.

Technical operations manager with Telstra Countrywide Alan Maher said the site was the best location for broader coverage and the use of Optus’ existing tower meant less public concern.

“One tower is better than three,” he said.

While the panels on the tower have been operational for about eight weeks, the official launch will be held at the CWA Hall in Stanwell Park on 14 September from 1-3pm.

“We like to make sure they’re up and running before we do the official launch,” Mr Maher said.

Government officials and media representatives will attend the CWA function.

Mr Maher said the lack of mobile phone coverage in Stanwell Park and Coalcliff had been raised by the community as a major concern, highlighted during the 2001 Christmas bushfires when residents were isolated.

“It will fill in the gaps created by the terrain with all the valleys and ridges,” Mr Maher said.

A tower is also earmarked for Wollongong City Council land within the Helensburgh tip, he said.

Council approval for the new structure was expected by the end of October and Mr Maher said it would probably take about three months after that to begin installation of the tower.

“We like to put them in places where people really don’t care,” he said.

Stanwell Tops is one of the last of 132 towns identified by the Telecommunications Service Inquiry to receive the supplementary coverage.