LOCAL LIFE
Council calls on Telstra to deliver mobile
base station at Berambing
Hawkesbury City Council is calling on Telstra to finish the job and build the Berambing mobile base station after successfully securing approval for the project.
Following the 2019 – 2020 bushfires, Council acted as a conduit to deliver Federal Government grant funding to Telstra under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, aimed at
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Since receiving the grant in July 2021, Council has worked closely with Telstra and the community to identify suitable sites for mobile base stations across the Hawkesbury, with a number of towers already successfully delivered. Some projects, including Berambing,
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faced challenges in securing appropriate locations.
On 4 December 2024, Telstra lodged a development application for the proposed Berambing base station, which was approved by the Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel on 17 April 2025.
Although the original grant program expired in March 2025, Council worked with the National Emergency Management Agency( NEMA) and the NSW Reconstruction Authority( RA) to secure fresh funding, subject to Telstra committing by 20 March 2026 to build and operate the tower.
However, correspondence from Telstra indicates the company no longer supports the project, arguing Berambing is already adequately serviced by nearby base stations, including a newly constructed tower at Mt Tomah.
Hawkesbury City Mayor Les Sheather has urged Telstra to recommit now that funding is available.
“ Council is not a telecommunications provider, nor does it have any statutory power to act as a telecommunications carrier. The provision of such services lies squarely with Telstra,” Mayor Sheather said.
“ There is no such thing as mobile coverage that is too good, especially in an emergency. Berambing residents will happily tell you that coverage in the area is insufficient.
“ I urge the Federal Government and Telstra to return and finish the job here in the Hawkesbury and provide the infrastructure, and peace of mind, our residents need and deserve.”
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12 ISSUE 191 // APRIL 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT