We live at Green Valley Farm, a vibrant part of Tingha, NSW, where our business along with the thousands of visitors depends heavily on reliable communication services for daily operations and emergencies. Until recently, we enjoyed reasonable mobile phone coverage from Telstra, allowing us to stay connected with loved ones, run businesses efficiently, and access emergency services swiftly. However, our lifeline to the world has been severed, as we now face a complete lack of mobile service. Additionally, we have been informed that our landline, once a fallback option, is beyond repair.

In an age where communication is key, especially in remote areas like ours, this lack of connectivity poses serious risks and inconvenience. Businesses are suffering due to missed communications and the safety of our community members is at stake should a crisis arise with no means to contact help immediately.

A report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority highlights that mobile connectivity is not just a luxury but a necessity, considered a critical service in rural areas similar to ours. The vast majority of Australians rely on mobile coverage for numerous activities, and we deserve the same standard.

We urge Telstra to prioritize extending and fixing the mobile coverage and repair the essential infrastructure at Green Valley Farm. Investing in better technology and facilities will ensure residents' safety, enhance the quality of life, and uphold the community’s economic well-being.

Please join us in asking Telstra for immediate action to restore and improve our mobile service. We ask all our visitors, past and present, that can recall having some form of Telstra mobile phone coverage, to sign this petition to demand that Telstra listens to what we have to say and doesn't just brush us off with their scripted rubbish and commits to a resolution that supports Green Valley Farm, surrounding areas and its residents.