Fraser Island News

Telstra yet to receive approval for third CDMA base station for Fraser Island

Last Update: Tuesday, 12 April 2005. 14:23 (AEDT)

Telstra says it is waiting for environmental approvals before it can build a third CDMA base station to improve mobile phone coverage on Fraser Island.

A Fraser Island SES volunteer says the safety of tourists and island residents is being put at risk because mobile phone coverage is inadequate.

Telstra spokeswoman Julie-Ann Taylor says the company won a federal government tender nearly three years ago to build three stations.

She says while two have been completed at Orchid Beach and Happy Valley, Eurong is still to come.

"Basically it boils down to the sensitive nature of the island," Ms Taylor said.

"Fraser Island is world heritage listed and obviously there are a number of environmental factors and approvals that need to be gained before we can actually complete the work that we wanted to do there."

She says Telstra is working through those issues and hopes to be in a better position to build shortly.